German 61st Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The German 61st Infantry Division was a combat division
of the German Wehrmacht
during the Second World War.
Established in August 1939 with its headquarters at Insterburg, the unit invaded Poland
on September 1, 1939 as part of von Küchler's
3rd Army
under Army Group North
. It engaged in heavy fighting at the Battle of Mława, afterwards crossing the Narew
River near Pułtusk. Fighting its way across the Bug River
, it approached the Polish capital at Warsaw
on September 18 and remained in the vicinity until the end of the campaign.
In 1940 it fought in Belgium
and at Dunkirk
during the invasion of France
, and served occupation
duty in Brittany
afterward. In early 1941 it was transferred to East Prussia
, and in June it joined in the invasion of the Soviet Union
as part of 18th Army
(again commanded by von Küchler and once again under Army Group North). The division participated in the occupation of Tallinn and the Moonsund Archipelago
. It took part in the Siege of Leningrad
and remained in the area until January 1944, after which the Soviet Krasnoye Selo–Ropsha
and Kingisepp–Gdov
offensives forced it back into Estonia
where it fought in the Battle of Narva
, particularly in the Narva Offensive (18–24 March 1944)
. Held in reserve, it was one of only two divisions considered "fully combat effective" by the Army Group North in July of that year.
The division was redesignated as 61st Volksgrenadier Division in October 1944, and continued fighting in the East under Army Groups North and Center. Evacuated to East Prussia
, the division fought in the so-called Heiligenbeil pocket
, caught between the advancing Soviets and the Frisches Haff. Once the "cauldron" collapsed in March 1945 the division was written off as a loss and its remaining assets were taken over by the 21st Infantry Division while the division staff was withdrawn to Königsberg
, all falling into Soviet hands at the end of the war.
By 1942 the division's composition had been somewhat altered to the following:
Once officially designated a Volksgrenadier Division in 1944, the unit was composed of the following:
recipients, including commanders Siegfried Haenicke, Werner Hühner, Gottfried Weber (when commander of the 1st battalion of the 162nd Infantry Regiment), and Günther Krappe.
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
of the German Wehrmacht
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
during the Second World War.
Established in August 1939 with its headquarters at Insterburg, the unit invaded Poland
Invasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
on September 1, 1939 as part of von Küchler's
Georg von Küchler
Georg Karl Friedrich Wilhelm von Küchler was a German Field Marshal during the Second World War. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
3rd Army
German Third Army
The 3rd Army was a German field army that fought during :World War I and :World War II.-World War I:Upon the mobilization Max von Hausen was given command of the 3rd Army which mainly consisted of Saxons. The army participated in the battle of the Frontiers, mainly in the battles of Dinant and...
under Army Group North
Army Group North
Army Group North was a German strategic echelon formation commanding a grouping of Field Armies subordinated to the OKH during World War II. The army group coordinated the operations of attached separate army corps, reserve formations, rear services and logistics.- Formation :The Army Group North...
. It engaged in heavy fighting at the Battle of Mława, afterwards crossing the Narew
Narew
The Narew River , in western Belarus and north-eastern Poland, is a left tributary of the Vistula river...
River near Pułtusk. Fighting its way across the Bug River
Bug River
The Bug River is a left tributary of the Narew river flows from central Ukraine to the west, passing along the Ukraine-Polish and Polish-Belarusian border and into Poland, where it empties into the Narew river near Serock. The part between the lake and the Vistula River is sometimes referred to as...
, it approached the Polish capital at Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
on September 18 and remained in the vicinity until the end of the campaign.
In 1940 it fought in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
and at Dunkirk
Battle of Dunkirk
The Battle of Dunkirk was a battle in the Second World War between the Allies and Germany. A part of the Battle of France on the Western Front, the Battle of Dunkirk was the defence and evacuation of British and allied forces in Europe from 26 May–4 June 1940.After the Phoney War, the Battle of...
during the invasion of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
, and served occupation
German occupation of France in World War II
The Military Administration in France was an interim occupation authority established by Nazi Germany during World War II. It remained in existence from May 1940 to December 1944. As a result of the defeat of France and its Allies in the Battle of France, the French cabinet sought a cessation...
duty in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
afterward. In early 1941 it was transferred to East Prussia
East Prussia
East Prussia is the main part of the region of Prussia along the southeastern Baltic Coast from the 13th century to the end of World War II in May 1945. From 1772–1829 and 1878–1945, the Province of East Prussia was part of the German state of Prussia. The capital city was Königsberg.East Prussia...
, and in June it joined in the invasion of the Soviet Union
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
as part of 18th Army
German Eighteenth Army
The 18th Army was a World War I and World War II field army.-World War I:The 18th Army was formed in 1918 by the German OHL and commanded by General Oskar von Hutier.-World War II:...
(again commanded by von Küchler and once again under Army Group North). The division participated in the occupation of Tallinn and the Moonsund Archipelago
Occupation of Estonia by Nazi Germany
After Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941, Army Group North reached Estonia in July.Initially the Germans were perceived by most Estonians as liberators from the USSR and its repressions, having arrived only a week after the first mass deportations from the Baltics...
. It took part in the Siege of Leningrad
Siege of Leningrad
The Siege of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade was a prolonged military operation resulting from the failure of the German Army Group North to capture Leningrad, now known as Saint Petersburg, in the Eastern Front theatre of World War II. It started on 8 September 1941, when the last...
and remained in the area until January 1944, after which the Soviet Krasnoye Selo–Ropsha
Krasnoye Selo–Ropsha Offensive
The Krasnoye Selo – Ropsha Offensive, also known as Operation January Thunder and Neva-2 was a campaign between the Soviet Leningrad Front and the German 18th Army fought for the western approaches of Leningrad in 14–30 January 1944....
and Kingisepp–Gdov
Kingisepp–Gdov Offensive
This is a sub-article to Battle of Narva.The Kingisepp–Gdov Offensive was a campaign between the Soviet Leningrad Front and the German 18th Army fought for the eastern coast of Lake Peipus and the western banks of the Narva River from 1 February till 1 March 1944...
offensives forced it back into Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
where it fought in the Battle of Narva
Battle of Narva (1944)
The Battle of Narva was a military campaign between the German Army Detachment "Narwa" and the Soviet Leningrad Front fought for possession of the strategically important Narva Isthmus on 2 February – 10 August 1944 during World War II....
, particularly in the Narva Offensive (18–24 March 1944)
Narva Offensive (18–24 March 1944)
This is a sub-article to Battle of Narva.The Narva Offensive was a campaign fought between the German XXXXIII Army Corps and the Soviet 59th Army for the Narva Isthmus. At the time of the operation, Joseph Stalin was personally interested in taking Estonia, viewing it as a precondition for forcing...
. Held in reserve, it was one of only two divisions considered "fully combat effective" by the Army Group North in July of that year.
The division was redesignated as 61st Volksgrenadier Division in October 1944, and continued fighting in the East under Army Groups North and Center. Evacuated to East Prussia
East Prussia
East Prussia is the main part of the region of Prussia along the southeastern Baltic Coast from the 13th century to the end of World War II in May 1945. From 1772–1829 and 1878–1945, the Province of East Prussia was part of the German state of Prussia. The capital city was Königsberg.East Prussia...
, the division fought in the so-called Heiligenbeil pocket
Heiligenbeil Pocket
The Heiligenbeil Pocket or Heiligenbeil Cauldron was the site of a major encirclement battle on the Eastern Front during the closing weeks of World War II, in which the Wehrmacht's 4th Army was almost entirely destroyed during the Soviet Braunsberg Offensive Operation...
, caught between the advancing Soviets and the Frisches Haff. Once the "cauldron" collapsed in March 1945 the division was written off as a loss and its remaining assets were taken over by the 21st Infantry Division while the division staff was withdrawn to Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
, all falling into Soviet hands at the end of the war.
Organization
The 61st Infantry Division consisted of the following units in 1940:- 151st Infantry Regiment
- 162nd Infantry Regiment
- 176th Infantry Regiment
- 161st Artillery Regiment
- 161st Engineer Battalion
- 161st Tank Defense Battalion
- 161st Intelligence Battalion
- 161st Signals Battalion
- 161st Supply Command
By 1942 the division's composition had been somewhat altered to the following:
- 151st Grenadier Regiment
- 162nd Grenadier Regiment
- 176th Grenadier Regiment
- 161st Artillery Regiment
- 161st Engineer Battalion
- 161st Anti-Tank Battalion
- 161st Intelligence Battalion
- 161st Supply Troop Command
Once officially designated a Volksgrenadier Division in 1944, the unit was composed of the following:
- 151st Grenadier Regiment
- 162nd Grenadier Regiment
- 176th Grenadier Regiment
- 61st Fusilier Battalion
- 161st Artillery Regiment
Commanders
The following officers commanded the 61st Infantry Division:- August 1939 - March 1942: General of Infantry Siegfried HaenickeSiegfried HaenickeSiegfried Haenicke was a highly decorated General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the XXXVIII. Corps. He was a recipient of both the Pour le Mérite and Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Pour le Mérite was the highest military order of the German Empire...
- March 1942 - April 1942: Major General Franz ScheidiesFranz ScheidiesFranz Scheidies was a German general during World War II and 2nd recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves serving in the infantry...
- April 1942 - February 1943: Lieutenant General Werner HühnerWerner HühnerWerner Hühner was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several divisions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful...
- February 1943 - April 1943: Lieutenant General Günther KrappeGünther KrappeGünther Krappe was a German officer in the Second World War. He commanded the 61st Infantry Division.- Promotions :*Leutnant *Oberleutnant *Hauptmann...
- April 1943 - May 1943: Lieutenant General Gottfried WeberGottfried Weber (general)Gottfried Weber was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II and a Generalmajor in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
- May 1943 - December 1943: Lieutenant General Günther KrappeGünther KrappeGünther Krappe was a German officer in the Second World War. He commanded the 61st Infantry Division.- Promotions :*Leutnant *Oberleutnant *Hauptmann...
(2nd time) - December 1943 - February 1944: Major General Joachim Albrecht von Blücher
- from February 1944: Lieutenant General Günther KrappeGünther KrappeGünther Krappe was a German officer in the Second World War. He commanded the 61st Infantry Division.- Promotions :*Leutnant *Oberleutnant *Hauptmann...
(3rd time)
Personnel
Thirty-seven of the division's personnel were Knight's CrossKnight's Cross
Knight's Cross refers to a distinguishing grade or level of various orders that denotes bravery and leadership on the battlefield....
recipients, including commanders Siegfried Haenicke, Werner Hühner, Gottfried Weber (when commander of the 1st battalion of the 162nd Infantry Regiment), and Günther Krappe.
See also
- VolksgrenadierVolksgrenadierVolksgrenadier was the name given to a type of German Army division formed in the Autumn of 1944 after the double loss of Army Group Center to the Soviets in Operation Bagration and the Fifth Panzer Army to the Allies in Normandy. The name itself was intended to build morale, appealing at once to...
, InfantryInfantryInfantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
, FusilierFusilierFusilier was originally the name of a soldier armed with a light flintlock musket called the fusil. The word was first used around 1680, and has later developed into a regimental designation.-History:... - HeerGerman ArmyThe German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
, List of German divisions in WWII