The 126th Infantry Division (German: ''126. Infanterie-Division'') was a

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

division Division or divider may refer to: Mathematics *Division (mathematics), the inverse of multiplication *Division algorithm, a method for computing the result of mathematical division Military *Division (military), a formation typically consisting ...

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. It was formed on 18 October 1940 in

Sennelager Sennelager is a village in Germany that forms part of the City of Paderborn. It is notable for its association with the military since the 19th century. Location Sennelager lies around 5 km north of Paderborn city centre in the west of the ...

. The division was formed from elements of the 11th Infantry Division, 253rd Infantry Division and the non-motorized elements of the 16th Motorized Infantry Division. It fought at

Demyansk Demyansk (russian: Демя́нск) is an urban locality (a work settlement) and the administrative center of Demyansky District of Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located along the Yavon River. Municipally, it is incorporated as Demyanskoye Urban Se ...

staraya Russa Staraya Russa ( rus, Старая Русса, p=ˈstarəjə ˈrusːə) is a town in Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located on the Polist River, south of Veliky Novgorod, the administrative center of the oblast. Its population has steadily decreased ov ...

and

Leningrad Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...

before ending the war in the

Courland pocket The Courland Pocket (Blockade of the Courland army group), (german: Kurland-Kessel)/german: Kurland-Brückenkopf (Courland Bridgehead), lv, Kurzemes katls (Courland Cauldron) or ''Kurzemes cietoksnis'' (Courland Fortress)., group=lower-alpha ...

Commanding officers

General der Infanterie General of the Infantry is a military rank of a General officer in the infantry and refers to: * General of the Infantry (Austria) * General of the Infantry (Bulgaria) * General of the Infantry (Germany) ('), a rank of a general in the German Imper ...

Paul Laux __NOTOC__ Paul Laux (11 November 1887 – 2 September 1944) was a German general in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 16th Army. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Laux to ...

(5 October 1940 – 10 October 1942) *

Generalleutnant is the Germanic variant of lieutenant general, used in some German speaking countries. Austria Generalleutnant is the second highest general officer rank in the Austrian Armed Forces (''Bundesheer''), roughly equivalent to the NATO rank of O ...

Harry Hoppe Harry Hoppe (11 February 1894 – 23 August 1969) was a German general during World War II who commanded several divisions. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves of Nazi Germany. Awards * Iron Cross (191 ...

(10 October 1942 – 31 April 1943) * Generalleutnant Friedrich Hofmann (31 April 1943 – 8 July 1943) * Generalleutnant Harry Hoppe (8 July 1943 – 7 November 1943) * Generalleutnant

Gotthard Fischer Gotthard Fischer (10 January 1891 – 27 July 1969) was a German general (Generalleutnant) in the ''Wehrmacht'' during World War II who commanded several divisions. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of Nazi Germany. Fisc ...

(7 November 1943 – 5 January 1945) *

Generalmajor is the Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central and Northern European countries. Austria Belgium Denmark is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and Royal Danish Air Force. As a two-star ...

Kurt Hähling (5 January 1945 – 8 May 1945)

Order of battle

1940

* Infantry Regiment 422 * Infantry Regiment 424 * Infantry Regiment 426 * Artillery Regiment 126 * Divisions Units 126

1943

* Grenadier Regiment 422 * Grenadier Regiment 424 * Grenadier Regiment 426 * Divisions Fusilier Battalion 126 * Artillery Regiment 126 * Divisions Units 126

External links

* Infantry divisions of Germany during World War II Military units and formations established in 1940 Military units and formations disestablished in 1945 {{Germany-mil-unit-stub

Commanding officers

Order of battle

1940

1943

See also

External links