The 182nd Infantry Division (german: 182. Infanterie-Division) was an
infantry division
A division is a large military unit or formation, usually consisting of between 6,000 and 25,000 soldiers.
In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades; in turn, several divisions typically make up a corps. Histo ...
of the
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
**Ge ...
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 opposing ...
. The unit, at times designated Commander of Reserve Troops XII/II (german: Kommandeur der Ersatztruppen XII/II, link=no), 182nd Division (german: 182. Division, link=no), Division No. 182 (german: Division Nr. 182, link=no), 182nd Replacement Division (german: 182. Ersatz-Division, link=no), Division Nancy (german: Division Nanzig, link=no), Division Gümbel, Division Karl, and 182nd Reserve Division (german: 182. Reserve-Division, link=no), was active between 1939 and 1945.
The division was destroyed in the Caen area in early August 1944, then deployed in Slovakia in November of the same year.
Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden () is a city in central western Germany and the capital of the state of Hesse. , it had 290,955 inhabitants, plus approximately 21,000 United States citizens (mostly associated with the United States Army). The Wiesbaden urban area ...
), designated ''Kommandeur der Ersatztruppen XII/II'', was formed on 20 October 1939. This staff was redesignated ''182. Division'' on 7 November 1939, then located in Litzmannstadt, and renamed again to become ''Division Nr. 182'' on 23 December 1939. The division's initial commander was
Friedrich Bayer
Friedrich Bayer (born Friedrich Beyer, 6 June 1825 in Barmen now Wuppertal – 6 May 1880 in Würzburg) was the founder of what would become Bayer, a German chemical and pharmaceutical company. He founded the dyestuff factory ''Friedrich Bayer'' ...
, appointed on 19 October 1939.
''Division Nr. 182''
The division consisted of the following elements in March 1940:
* Infantry Replacement Regiment 79 (Battalions: 208, 212, 226), Litzmannstadt.
* Infantry Replacement Regiment 246 (Battalions: 313, 352, 404), Pleschen.
* Infantry Replacement Regiment 263 (Battalions: 463, 483, 485),
Sieradz
Sieradz ( la, Siradia, yi, שעראַדז, שערעדז, שעריץ, german: 1941-45 Schieratz) is a city on the Warta river in central Poland with 40,891 inhabitants (2021). It is the seat of the Sieradz County, situated in the Łódź Voivode ...
.
* Artillery Replacement Regiment 34 (Detachments: 179, 246, 263), Ostrowo.
* Pioneer Replacement Battalion 34, Leslau.
On 24 April 1940, Bayer was replaced as divisional commander by Hans von Basse. On 10 August 1940, the division was deployed back to Koblenz in Wehrkreis XII. The divisional structure remained largely the same, with only one additional unit in the form of Marchine Gun Replacement Battalion 14 at Bitburg. Regiment 79 was moved to Koblenz, Regiment 246 to
Trier
Trier ( , ; lb, Tréier ), formerly known in English as Trèves ( ;) and Triers (see also names in other languages), is a city on the banks of the Moselle in Germany. It lies in a valley between low vine-covered hills of red sandstone in the ...
, and Regiment 263 to
Idar-Oberstein
Idar-Oberstein () is a town in the Birkenfeld district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. As a ''Große kreisangehörige Stadt'' (large city belonging to a district), it assumes some of the responsibilities that for smaller municipalities in ...
. The Artillery Replacement Regiment 34 and the Pioneer Replacement Battalion 34 were moved to Koblenz.
On 30 May 1941, Basse was replaced as divisional commander by Franz Karl. On 15 July 1941, the division was moved from the Koblenz area to the vicinity Nancy in
occupied France
The Military Administration in France (german: Militärverwaltung in Frankreich; french: Occupation de la France par l'Allemagne) was an interim occupation authority established by Nazi Germany during World War II to administer the occupied zo ...
. Division No. 182 consisted of the following elements at that point:
* Infantry Replacement Regiment 79 (Battalions: 208, 212, 226), Nancy.
* Infantry Replacement Regiment 246 (Battalions: 313, 352, 404),
Luxembourg City
Luxembourg ( lb, Lëtzebuerg; french: Luxembourg; german: Luxemburg), also known as Luxembourg City ( lb, Stad Lëtzebuerg, link=no or ; french: Ville de Luxembourg, link=no; german: Stadt Luxemburg, link=no or ), is the capital city of the Gr ...
Commercy
Commercy () is a commune in the Meuse department in Grand Est in north-eastern France. The 18th-century Lorraine historian Nicolas Luton Durival (1713–1795) was born in Commercy.
History
Commercy dates back to the 9th century, and at that tim ...
Verdun
Verdun (, , , ; official name before 1970 ''Verdun-sur-Meuse'') is a large city in the Meuse department in Grand Est, northeastern France. It is an arrondissement of the department.
Verdun is the biggest city in Meuse, although the capital ...
.
* Artillery Replacement Regiment 34 (Detachments: 15, 179, 246, 263), Nancy.
On 5 June 1942, Karl was replaced as divisional commander by Karl Gümbel. On 13 June 1942, the division was joined by Infantry Replacement Regiment 112 (Battalions: 110, 256, 437, 438), which had been redeployed from Darmstadt to Chalons. In exchange, the division passed Regiment 246 in Luxembourg City to Division No. 172.
On 10 July 1942, the alert units of the 182nd Division were called up and moved towards
Draveil
Draveil () is a commune in the department of Essonne in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. Franz Karl returned to once again replace Karl Gümbel as divisional commander on 3 August 1942. In August 1942, the 182nd Division was put under the supervision of the XXV Army Corps, which was in turn under the 7th Army.
''182nd Reserve Division (Division Nancy)''
Those parts of the division that had remained in the Nancy sector instead of deploying to Draveil were once again put under a staff titled ''Division No. 182'' on 11 July 1942. That staff was renamed ''Division Nanzig'' on 1 September 1942 and again redesignated Division No. 462 on 15 October 1942.Paul Lettow took divisional command from Karl on 27 September 1942. Division No. 462 was split on 26 November 1942 as part of the reorganization of the
Replacement Army
The Replacement Army () was part of the Imperial German Army during World War I and part of the Wehrmacht during World War II. It was based within Germany proper and included command and administrative units as well as training and guard troops. It ...
, and the replacement units stayed with the 462nd, whereas the training units came to the 182nd Reserve Division.
In December 1942, the 182nd Division was put under the LXXXII Army Corps of the 15th Army. It remained there until February 1943, before moving to the reserves of
Army Group D
Army Group D (''Heeresgruppe D'') was a German Army Group which saw action during World War II.
Army Group D was formed on 26 October 1940 in France, its initial cadre coming from the disbanded Army Group C.
On 15 April 1941, the status of Army ...
until January 1944. On 5 December 1942,
Otto Schilling
Otto Franz Georg Schilling (3 November 1911 – 20 June 1973) was a German-American mathematician known as one of the leading algebraists of his time.
He was born in Apolda and studied in the 1930s at the Universität Jena and the Universität ...
replaced Lettow as divisional commander.
In December 1943, the 182nd Reserve Division consisted of the following elements:
* Reserve Grenadier Regiment 79 (Battalions: 208, 212, 226), Chalons-Sur-Marne.
* Reserve Grenadier Regiment 112 (Battalions:Battalion 256, previously part of Regiment 112, was disbanded before December 1943. 110, 437, 438),
Senlis
Senlis () is a commune in the northern French department of Oise, Hautes de France.
The monarchs of the early French dynasties lived in Senlis, attracted by the proximity of the Chantilly forest. It is known for its Gothic cathedral and other ...
Gisors
Gisors () is a commune of Normandy, France. It is located northwest from the centre of Paris.
Gisors, together with the neighbouring communes of Trie-Château and Trie-la-Ville, form an urban area of 13,915 inhabitants (2018). This urban are ...
Meaux
Meaux () is a Communes of France, commune on the river Marne (river), Marne in the Seine-et-Marne Departments of France, department in the Île-de-France Regions of France, region in the Functional area (France), metropolitan area of Paris, Franc ...
.
* Reserve Machine Gun Battalion 14,
Langres
Langres () is a commune in northeastern France. It is a subprefecture of the department of Haute-Marne, in the region of Grand Est.
History
As the capital of the Romanized Gallic tribe known as the Lingones, it was called Andematunnum, then ...
.
* Reserve Division Supply Commander 1082, Gisors.
On 20 January 1944, Reserve Grenadier Regiment 263 was disbanded and its three battalions were used for formations of various new units. Battalion 463 joined the 988th Regiment under the 276th Infantry Division, whereas Battalions 483 and 485 joined Regiments 981 and 982 respectively, both of which were part of the 272nd Infantry Division. Furthermore, Battalions 226 and 697 were taken out of Regiments 79 and 342 to be used for the formation of Division Wahn following an order of 28 January 1944.
On 23 January 1944, the 182nd Reserve Division was moved to the Pas-de-Calais area, with new headquarters set up at
Helfaut
Helfaut (; vls, Helveld; pcd, Hérfauw) is a Communes of France, commune in the Pas-de-Calais Departments of France, department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Geography
A large village situated 4 miles (6 km) south of Saint-Omer, ...
. The division was taken out of the army group reserves and given to the reserves of the 15th Army instead. On 25 March 1944, Richard Baltzer took command of the division, a post he would hold until the end of the war.
The 182nd Reserve Division consisted of the following elements on 1 March 1944:
* Reserve Grenadier Regiment 79 (Battalions: 208, 212), Bailleul.
* Reserve Grenadier Regiment 112 (Battalions: 110, 437, 438), Pihen-lès-Guînes.
* Reserve Grenadier Regiment 342 (Battalions: 321, 698),
Wizernes
Wizernes (; vls, Wezerne) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department, northern France. It lies southwest of Saint-Omer on the banks of the river Aa at the D928 and D211 road junction. The commune is twinned with Ensdorf, Germany.
Populati ...
.
* Cossack Battalion 570,
Saint-Venant
Saint-Venant ( vls, Papingem) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department (administrative division) in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Geography
Saint-Venant is situated some northwest of Béthune and west of Lille, at the junction o ...
Cassel Cassel may refer to:
People
* Cassel (surname)
Places
;France
* Cassel, Nord, a town and commune in northern France
** Battle of Cassel (1071)
** Battle of Cassel (1328)
** Battle of Cassel (1677)
;Germany
* Cassel, Germany, a city in Hesse re ...
.
* Reserve Division Supply Commander 1082, Arques.
Following an order from 30 July 1944 (in response to '' Operation Overlord''), the 182nd Reserve Division was mobilized into the field army and subsequently destroyed by Allied forces in the Caen area. A reorganization into a Shadow Division of the 24th '' Aufstellungswelle'' that was ordered by Oberbefehlshaber West did not come to pass. Another planned reorganization into a 182nd Field Training Division, ordered by OKH on 20 August 1944, also failed to materialize.
A full redeployment of the 182nd Division was scheduled to be conducted in Wehrkreis X (
Hamburg
(male), (female) en, Hamburger(s),
Hamburgian(s)
, timezone1 = Central (CET)
, utc_offset1 = +1
, timezone1_DST = Central (CEST)
, utc_offset1_DST = +2
, postal ...
) starting in October 1944, but the division was called to
Slovakia
Slovakia (; sk, Slovensko ), officially the Slovak Republic ( sk, Slovenská republika, links=no ), is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the s ...
ahead of the deployment's completion on 20 November 1944. Here, the division was to complete deployment in the
Nitra
Nitra (; also known by other alternative names) is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. It is located 95 km east of Bratislava. With a population of about 78,353, it is the fifth l ...
area in Wehrkreis XVII (
Vienna
en, Viennese
, iso_code = AT-9
, registration_plate = W
, postal_code_type = Postal code
, postal_code =
, timezone = CET
, utc_offset = +1
, timezone_DST ...
), using recruits from Wehrkreis XII (Wiesbaden). The division's structure in late 1944 was as follows:
* 182nd Division HQ, Nitra.
* Reserve Grenadier Regiment 79 (Battalions: 208, 212),
Topoľčany
Topoľčany (; sk, Veľké Topoľčany before 1920; hu, Nagytapolcsány) is a town in the Nitra Region of Slovakia. The population is around 25,000 in total. The town's population is nicknamed ''Žochári'' (singl. ''Žochár'') (producers, or ...
German surrender
The German Instrument of Surrender (german: Bedingungslose Kapitulation der Wehrmacht, lit=Unconditional Capitulation of the "Wehrmacht"; russian: Акт о капитуляции Германии, Akt o kapitulyatsii Germanii, lit=Act of capit ...
, the 182nd Reserve Division became the 182nd Infantry Division. The Reserve Grenadier Regiments 79, 112, and 342 became the Grenadier Regiments 663, 664, and 665, respectively. Each of these regiments retained the strength of two battalions each. The Reserve Artillery Regiment 1082, at only one battalion, became the Artillery Regiment 1082.
The division was in Slovakia when the war ended, under the command of LXXII Army Corps of the 8th Army under
Army Group South
Army Group South (german: Heeresgruppe Süd) was the name of three German Army Groups during World War II.
It was first used in the 1939 September Campaign, along with Army Group North to invade Poland. In the invasion of Poland Army Group So ...
. Baltzer was still divisional commander.
Noteworthy individuals
*
Friedrich Bayer
Friedrich Bayer (born Friedrich Beyer, 6 June 1825 in Barmen now Wuppertal – 6 May 1880 in Würzburg) was the founder of what would become Bayer, a German chemical and pharmaceutical company. He founded the dyestuff factory ''Friedrich Bayer'' ...
, divisional commander starting 19 October 1939.
* Hans von Basse, divisional commander starting 24 April 1940.
* Franz Karl, divisional commander starting 30 May 1941 and again starting 3 August 1942.
* Karl Gümbel, divisional commander starting 5 June 1942.
* Paul Lettow, divisional commander starting 27 September 1942.
*
Otto Schilling
Otto Franz Georg Schilling (3 November 1911 – 20 June 1973) was a German-American mathematician known as one of the leading algebraists of his time.
He was born in Apolda and studied in the 1930s at the Universität Jena and the Universität ...
, divisional commander starting 5 December 1942.
* Richard Baltzer, final divisional commander starting 25 March 1944.