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XII SS Army Corps
The XII SS Army Corps was a German corps of the Waffen-SS. It saw action on both the Western and Eastern Fronts during World War II. Formation It was formed on 1 August 1944 in Silesia from the remains of the ''Kampfgruppe von Gottberg'' and the LIII Army Corps, and added to the 3rd Panzer Army. From September 1944, it fought in the West as part of the 1st Parachute Army. Later it fought under the 15th Army on the Siegfried Line and the Ruhr Front. The corps was surrounded and destroyed in the Ruhr Pocket in April 1945. Commanders * 1 August 1944 : SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Matthias Kleinheisterkamp * 6 August 1944 : SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Curt von Gottberg * 18 October 1944 : SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Karl Maria Demelhuber * 20 October 1944 : General of the Infantry Günther Blumentritt * 20 January 1945 : Generalleutnant Fritz Bayerlein * 29 January 1945 : Generalleutnant Eduard Crasemann Order ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Flag Schutzstaffel
A flag is a piece of textile, fabric (most often rectangular or quadrilateral) with a distinctive design and colours. It is used as a symbol, a signalling device, or for decoration. The term ''flag'' is also used to refer to the graphic design employed, and flags have evolved into a general tool for rudimentary signalling and identification, especially in environments where communication is challenging (such as the Maritime flag, maritime environment, where Flag semaphore, semaphore is used). Many flags fall into groups of similar designs called flag families. The study of flags is known as "vexillology" from the Latin , meaning "flag" or "banner". National flags are patriotic symbols with widely varied interpretations that often include strong military associations because of their original and ongoing use for that purpose. Flags are also used in messaging, advertising, or for decorative purposes. Some military units are called "flags" after their use of flags. A ''flag'' ( ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Matthias Kleinheisterkamp
Matthias Kleinheisterkamp (22 June 1893 – 29 April 1945) was an SS-''Obergruppenführer'' during World War II. He commanded the SS Division Totenkopf, SS Division Nord, SS Division Das Reich, III SS Panzer Corps, VII SS Panzer Corps, IV SS Panzer Corps, XII SS Army Corps and the XI SS Army Corps. He killed himself after being captured by the Soviets. Pre-war career Born in 1893, Matthias Kleinheisterkamp enlisted in the Prussian Army in 1914 and served on both the Western and the Eastern Fronts of World War I. During his service in the war, he was awarded both classes of the Iron Cross and a silver grade Wound Badge. Following the war, Kleinheisterkamp joined the paramilitary group Freikorps and then served in the Reichswehr. He joined the Allgemeine-SS in November 1933, membership number 132,399. He transferred to the SS-Verfügungstruppe on 1 April 1935 and was assigned to the SS training school as an infantry instructor. In 1934, he joined the Inspectorate of the SS-V ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Waffen-SS Corps
The (, "Armed SS") was the combat branch of the Nazi Party's ''Schutzstaffel'' (SS) organisation. Its formations included men from Nazi Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands. The grew from three regiments to over 38 divisions during World War II, and served alongside the German Army (''Heer''), ''Ordnungspolizei'' (uniformed police) and other security units. Originally, it was under the control of the (SS operational command office) beneath Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS. With the start of World War II, tactical control was exercised by the (OKW, "High Command of the Armed Forces"), with some units being subordinated to (Command Staff Reichsführer-SS) directly under Himmler's control. Initially, in keeping with the racial policy of Nazi Germany, membership was open only to people of Germanic origin (so-called " Aryan ancestry"). The rules were partially relaxed in 1940, and after the Operation Barbarossa invasion ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Panzer-Lehr-Division
The Panzer-Lehr-Division (in the meaning of: Armoured training division) was an elite German armoured division during World War II. It was formed in 1943 onwards from training and demonstration troops (''Lehr'' = "teach") stationed in Germany, to provide additional armored strength for the anticipated Allied invasion of western Europe. On 4 April 1944, the division was officially designated as the 130th Panzer Division; however, it is usually referred to as the Lehr Division. It was the only Wehrmacht Panzer division to be fully equipped with tanks and with halftracks to transport its mechanized infantry. On several occasions it fought almost to destruction, in particular during Operation Cobra, and by the end of the war in Europe bore little resemblance to the unit that had originally been activated. History Formation Panzer Lehr began forming on 30 December 1943 and moved to the Nancy–Verdun area in January 1944 to complete the process. It was formed from several elite tr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
338th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)
The 338th Infantry Division (german: 338. Infanterie-Division) was a division of the German Army in World War II. In 1944, the division was in southern France, and fought against the Western Allies in Operation Dragoon. Order of Battle 1944 *757th Fortress Grenadier Regiment (two battalions) *758th Fortress Grenadier Regiment (two battalions) *759th Fortress Grenadier Regiment (two battalions) *338th Artillery Regiment (three battalions) *338th Panzerjäger Battalion *338th Reconnaissance Battalion *338th Pioneer Battalion *338th Signals Battalion Commanders The following commanders commanded the 338th Infantry Division: * 10 Nov 1942 to 5 Jan 1944: Generalleutnant Josef Folttmann * 5 Jan 1944 to 18 Sep 1944: Generalleutnant René de l'Homme de Courbière * 18 Sep 1944 to Oct 1944: Generalmajor Hans Oschmann * Oct 1944: Oberst Hafner * Oct 1944 to 14 Nov 1944: Generalmajor Hans Oschmann * 14 Nov 1944 to 29 Dec 1944: Colonel of Reserves Rudolf von Oppen * 29 Dec 1944 to 18 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
183rd Volksgrenadier Division (Wehrmacht)
The 183rd Volksgrenadier Division (german: 183. Volksgrenadier-Division) was a German unit during World War II. History In September 1944 the 183 Volksgrenadier Division was formed of what was left of the 183rd Infantry Division, complemented by non-fighting military personnel (from navy and air force) and civilians. The 183rd Infantry Division had come into existence on 15 September 1944, having been formed from the so-called Schatten-Division Döllersheim. At the end of November Grenadier-Regiment 330 was destroyed at Geilenkirchen during a massive allied offensive against the German positions between the rivers Wurm and Ruhr, between Geilenkirchen and Linnich. Aim of the Ninth US Army was the Rur crossing at Linnich, which would open the way to Cologne. The offensive was called Operation Queen and was launched on 16 November. The 330th Infantry Regiment of the 183rd Volksgrenadier Division was holding the front line at Floverich, Loverich and Setterich, where the Americans ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
176th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)
The 176th Infantry Division was a military formation that served with the German Army during World War II. Brief history On 31 October 1944, the 176th Infantry Division was formed out of the 176th Division and was a “training and replacement” formation. It had a strength of about 7,000 men, most of whom were in a poor shape. The division was nicknamed the "kranken division" (sick division), because it was mostly made up of men deemed unfit for military service, such as the physically handicapped and men with severe allergies. One battalion consisted of men with serious hearing maladies, two comprised Luftwaffe personnel, (but with ample infantry training), while many others were convalescents and semi-invalids.U.S. Army, Order of Battle of the German Army, Washington, 1945, p. 193 In November and December 1944, the Division was part of the XII SS Corps, 5th Panzer Army. Between January and March 1945 the 176th Infantry Division was assigned to the XII SS Corps, 15th Army. The ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
7th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)
The 7th Panzer Division was an armored formation of the German Army in World War II. It participated in the Battle of France, the invasion of the Soviet Union, the occupation of Vichy France, and on the Eastern Front until the end of the war. The 7th Panzer Division is also known by its nickname, Ghost Division. The division met with great success in France in 1940 and then again in the Soviet Union in 1941. In May 1942, the division was withdrawn from the Soviet Union and sent back to France to replace losses and refit. It returned to Southern Russia following the defeat at Stalingrad, and helped to check a general collapse of the front in a series of defensive battles as part of Army Group Don, and participated in General Erich von Manstein's counterattack at Kharkov. The division fought in the unsuccessful offensive at Kursk in the summer of 1943, suffering heavy losses in men and equipment and was further degraded in the subsequent Soviet counteroffensive. Through 1944 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
548th Grenadier Division (Wehrmacht)
The 548th Grenadier Division was a German infantry division during World War II. History The division was formed in Lithuania on 11 July 1944 and fought on the Eastern Front as part of the XII SS Corps. On 9 October 1944, the division was renamed the 548th Volksgrenadier Division. The division fought in the Battle of Memel, in East Prussia and was destroyed during the Samland offensive in the Pillau–Königsberg area in February/March 1945. Commanders *Generalmajor Erich Sudau (11 July 1944 – 9 April 1945), killed in the Battle of Königsberg The Battle of Königsberg, also known as the Königsberg offensive, was one of the last operations of the East Prussian offensive during World War II. In four days of urban warfare, Soviet forces of the 1st Baltic Front and the 3rd Belorussia .... Source Lexikon der WehrmachtAxis History {{Subject bar , portal1=Military of Germany , portal2=World War II Military units and formations established in 1944 1*548 Milita ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eduard Crasemann
Eduard Crasemann (5 March 1891 – 29 April 1950) was a German ''General der Artillerie'' in the Wehrmacht and convicted war criminal who commanded several Panzer divisions during World War II. Crasemann fought as an artillery officer during World War I on both the Western and Eastern Fronts but left the military in 1919, returning to civilian life. In 1936, he joined the ''Heer'' (Army) branch of the Wehrmacht. He served in the Battle of France and the Western Desert Campaign as a battalion- and regimental-level commander. He was briefly acting commander of the 15th Panzer Division in mid-1942. In 1944 he was given command of the 26th Panzer Division, which was operating in Italy. He then commanded the XII SS Army Corps from January to April 1945 until it surrendered to United States troops. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Under Crasemann's command, the 26th Panzer Division massacred over 160 Italian civilians i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fritz Bayerlein
Fritz Hermann Michael Bayerlein (14 January 1899 – 30 January 1970) was a general in the Wehrmacht of Nazi Germany during World War II. He initially served as a staff officer, including with Erwin Rommel in the Afrika Korps. He then commanded the 3rd Panzer Division, the Panzer Lehr Division and LIII Army Corps in the European theatre. Bayerlein was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. World War II Bayerlein served as a staff officer of General Heinz Guderian for the invasion of Poland and the Battle of France. In Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union, during June 1941, Bayerlein was assigned to Guderian's Panzer Group 2 staff. After the Battle of Kiev, Bayerlein was transferred to Generaloberst Erwin Rommel's staff. Bayerlein was moved to the Führerreserve in August 1942, then reassigned to the Afrika Korps as Chief of Staff. He served as a staff officer under the command of Generalmajor Walter Nehring beginning i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Günther Blumentritt
Günther Blumentritt (10 February 1892 – 12 October 1967) was an officer in World War I, who became a Staff Officer under the Weimar Republic and went on to serve as a general for Nazi Germany during World War II. He served throughout the war, mostly on the Western Front, and mostly as a Staff Officer, though he was eventually given his own Corps and made a ''General der Infanterie''. Blumentritt was instrumental in planning the 1939 German invasion of Poland and the 1940 invasion of France, he participated in Operation Barbarossa, and afterward bore a large part of the responsibility for planning the defense of the Atlantic Wall and Normandy. After the war, Blumentritt gave an affidavit at the Nuremberg Trials, though he never testified in person, and then later helped in the rearmament of Germany during the Cold War and the development of the modern German army. Personal life and early career Family and character Born in Munich, Günther Alois Friedrich Blumentritt was the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
