129th Infantry Division (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The 129th Infantry Division (German
: 129. Infanterie-Division) was an Infantry Division
of the German Army
during World War II
.
, in Wehrkreis XI on 20 October 1940 as Division 11 and incorporated personnel from Hessen and Thuringia
. Elements of 9th
, 33rd and 251st Infantry Divisions formed approximately 30% of the division.
After the training of the division ended in April 1941, it was sent to East Prussia
and took part in Operation Barbarossa
. As part of Army Group Center, the division fought in several battles of the central sector of the Eastern Front
, such as those in Białystok, Smolensk
and Vyazma
. In October–November 1941 the division suffered heavy casualties defending the Kalinin Bridgehead and on 25 December it absorbed the 326th and 369th Regiments of the destroyed 162nd Infantry Division. The 236th Artillery Regiment of 162nd Infantry Division was incorporated into the 129th Artillery Regiment of the Division as well. The following year it took part in the heavy fighting near Rzhev
, where it remained from November 1941 to early March 1943.
After the retreat from Rzhev, the division fought in Bryansk
, Mogilev
and Vitebsk
, while it was reinforced with the 566th Grenadier Regiment of the 390th Field Training Division. Due to the high losses suffered in central Belorussia, namely in Bobruisk and Baranovka
, it was reorganised in July 1944. Under the leadership of Generalmajor Heribert von Larisch
, the 129th Infantry Division distinguished itself in the defensive battles in Narew
river and was referenced in the Wehrmachtbericht
on 12 September 1944.
In January 1944, the division was still fighting near Narew, in Różan
, but was soon forced to retreat. The 129th Infantry Division was eventually destroyed in East Prussia and disbanded around February. The surviving elements were transferred into the 4th Army and fought in the last battles in East Prussia. The Headquarters of the division served as the Kommandatur of Frisches Haff.
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
: 129. Infanterie-Division) was an Infantry Division
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 Army
Heer (1935-1945)
The Heer was the Army land forces component of the German armed forces from 1935 to 1945, the latter also included the Navy and the Air Force...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
History
The 129th Infantry Division was formed in HanauHanau
Hanau is a town in the Main-Kinzig-Kreis, in Hesse, Germany. It is located 25 km east of Frankfurt am Main. Its station is a major railway junction.- Geography :...
, in Wehrkreis XI on 20 October 1940 as Division 11 and incorporated personnel from Hessen and Thuringia
Thuringia
The Free State of Thuringia is a state of Germany, located in the central part of the country.It has an area of and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states....
. Elements of 9th
9th Infantry Division (Germany)
The German 9th Infantry Division was a formation of the German Wehrmacht. The division was formed on 1 October 1934 in Gießen as Infanterieführer V. With the uncovering of German rearmament on 15 October 1935 the division was renamed 9...
, 33rd and 251st Infantry Divisions formed approximately 30% of the division.
After the training of the division ended in April 1941, it was sent 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 took part in Operation Barbarossa
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 Army Group Center, the division fought in several battles of the central sector of the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
, such as those in Białystok, Smolensk
Battle of Smolensk (1941)
The Battle of Smolensk was a largely successful encirclement operation by the German Army Group Centre's 2nd Panzer Group led by Heinz Guderian and the 3rd Panzer Group led by Hermann Hoth against parts of four Soviet Fronts during World War II...
and Vyazma
Vyazma
Vyazma is a town and the administrative center of Vyazemsky District of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Vyazma River, about halfway between Smolensk and Mozhaysk. Throughout its turbulent history, the city defended western approaches to the city of Moscow...
. In October–November 1941 the division suffered heavy casualties defending the Kalinin Bridgehead and on 25 December it absorbed the 326th and 369th Regiments of the destroyed 162nd Infantry Division. The 236th Artillery Regiment of 162nd Infantry Division was incorporated into the 129th Artillery Regiment of the Division as well. The following year it took part in the heavy fighting near Rzhev
Battles of Rzhev
Rzhev Battles is a general term for a series of World War II offensives launched during January 8, 1942—March 31, 1943 by the Soviet Red Army in the general directions of Rzhev, Sychevka and Vyazma against a German salient in the vicinity of Moscow, known as the "Rzhev meat grinder" for...
, where it remained from November 1941 to early March 1943.
After the retreat from Rzhev, the division fought in Bryansk
Bryansk
Bryansk is a city and the administrative center of Bryansk Oblast, Russia, located southwest of Moscow. Population: -History:The first written mention of Bryansk was in 1146, in the Hypatian Codex, as Debryansk...
, Mogilev
Mogilev
Mogilev is a city in eastern Belarus, about 76 km from the border with Russia's Smolensk Oblast and 105 km from the border with Russia's Bryansk Oblast. It has more than 367,788 inhabitants...
and Vitebsk
Vitebsk
Vitebsk, also known as Viciebsk or Vitsyebsk , is a city in Belarus, near the border with Russia. The capital of the Vitebsk Oblast, in 2004 it had 342,381 inhabitants, making it the country's fourth largest city...
, while it was reinforced with the 566th Grenadier Regiment of the 390th Field Training Division. Due to the high losses suffered in central Belorussia, namely in Bobruisk and Baranovka
Baranovka
Baranovka may refer to:*Baranivka, a town in Zhytomyr Oblast, Ukraine*Baranovka, name of several rural localities in Russia...
, it was reorganised in July 1944. Under the leadership of Generalmajor Heribert von Larisch
Heribert von Larisch
Heribert von Larisch was a high-ranking officer of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the renowned Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.-World...
, the 129th Infantry Division distinguished itself in the defensive battles in Narew
Narew
The Narew River , in western Belarus and north-eastern Poland, is a left tributary of the Vistula river...
river and was referenced in the Wehrmachtbericht
Wehrmachtbericht
The Wehrmachtbericht was a daily radio report on the Großdeutscher Rundfunk of Nazi Germany, published by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht regarding the military situation on all fronts of World War II....
on 12 September 1944.
| In der Schlacht am unteren Narew zeichnete sich die hessisch-thüringische 129. Infanteriedivision unter Führung von Generalmajor von Larisch und die württembergische 5. Jägerdivision unter Führung von Generalleutnant Sixt durch Standfestigkeit und Angriffsschwung besonders aus. | The Hessian-Thuringian 129th Infantry Division under the leadership of Generalmajor von Larisch Heribert von Larisch Heribert von Larisch was a high-ranking officer of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the renowned Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.-World... and the Württembergian 5th Jägerdivision under the command of Generalleutnant Sixt distinguished themselves in the battle at the lower Narew with firmness and offensive drive. |
In January 1944, the division was still fighting near Narew, in Różan
Rózan
Różan is a town in Mazovian Voivodeship, Poland. It is located at around . Narew River flows through the town....
, but was soon forced to retreat. The 129th Infantry Division was eventually destroyed in East Prussia and disbanded around February. The surviving elements were transferred into the 4th Army and fought in the last battles in East Prussia. The Headquarters of the division served as the Kommandatur of Frisches Haff.
Commanders
- Generalleutnant Stephan RittauStephan RittauStephan Rittau was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. 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 military leadership...
(1 October 1940 - 22 August 1942) (Killed in ActionKilled in actionKilled in action is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own forces at the hands of hostile forces. The United States Department of Defense, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to...
) - General der Nachrichtentruppe Albert PraunAlbert PraunGeneral Albert Praun was a General in the German army who became the Chief Signals Officer of the Wehrmacht during World War II....
(22 August 1942 - 25 September 1943) - Generalmajor Karl Fabiunke (25 September 1943 - 31 January 1944)
- Generalleutnant Heribert von LarischHeribert von LarischHeribert von Larisch was a high-ranking officer of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the renowned Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.-World...
(31 January 1944 - 11 February 1945) - Generalmajor Bernhard Ueberschär (11 February 1945 - 8 May 1945)
Award Holders
- 101 soldiers of the division were awarded the German CrossGerman CrossThe German Cross was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 17 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross respectively ranking higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight's Cross of the War Merit...
in Gold - 26 soldiers of the division were awarded the Honour Roll Clasp of the ArmyHonour Roll Clasp of the ArmyThe Honour Roll Clasp of the Army or Ehrenblatt des Heeres was a Decoration of Nazi Germany during World War II. The total number awarded was 4,556. -History:...
- 26 (plus 1 unconfirmed) soldiers of the division were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron CrossKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossThe Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was a grade of the 1939 version of the 1813 created Iron Cross . The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest award of Germany to recognize extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during World War II...
(see below for complete list)
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves
- Josef HeicheleJosef HeicheleJosef Heichele was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
on 17 February 1945 as MajorMajor (Germany)Major is a rank of the German military which dates back to the Middle Ages.It equates to Major in the British and US Armies, and is rated OF-3 in NATO.During World War II, the SS equivalent was Sturmbannführer....
and commander of 129th Füsilier Battalion - Willi Wesche on 6 August 1944 as OberstOberstOberst is a military rank in several German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark and Norway. The Swedish rank överste is a direct translation, as are the Finnish rank eversti...
and commander of 427th Grenadier Regiment
Staff
- Heribert von LarischHeribert von LarischHeribert von Larisch was a high-ranking officer of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the renowned Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership.-World...
on 26 December 1944 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 129th Infantry Division - Albert PraunAlbert PraunGeneral Albert Praun was a General in the German army who became the Chief Signals Officer of the Wehrmacht during World War II....
on 27 October 1943 as Generalleutnant and commander of the 129th Infantry Division - Stephan RittauStephan RittauStephan Rittau was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. 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 military leadership...
on 2 November 1941 as Generalmajor and commander of the 129th Infantry Division - Erhard Steinke on 20 April 1944 as HauptmannHauptmannHauptmann is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officer's rank in the German, Austrian and Swiss armies. While "haupt" in contemporary German means "main", it also has the dated meaning of "head", i.e...
and leader of a battalion in the 129th Infantry Division (doubted by historian Veit Scherzer)
427th Grenadier Regiment
- Joachim BorrmannJoachim BorrmannJoachim Borrmann was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II. 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 military leadership...
on 13 October 1943 as Hauptmann and commander of the III Battalion of the 427th Grenadier Regiment - Paul DanhauserPaul DanhauserPaul Danhauser was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. 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 military leadership...
on 10 February 1942 as Oberst and commander of the 427th Grenadier Regiment - Bernhard Hoffmann on 26 September 1942 as Major der Reserve and commander of the I Battalion of the 427th Grenadier Regiment
- Paul Schumacher on 11 December 1943 as OberleutnantOberleutnantOberleutnant is a junior officer rank in the militaries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In the German Army, it dates from the early 19th century. Translated as "Senior Lieutenant", the rank is typically bestowed upon commissioned officers after five to six years of active duty...
der Reserve and chief of the II Battalion of the 427th Grenadier Regiment
428th Grenadier Regiment
- Günther Drange on 16 October 1944 as Oberst and commander of the 428th Grenadier Regiment
- Rudolf Hegewald on 28 October 1944 as Feldwebel and Zugführer in the 5th Battalion of the 428th Grenadier Regiment
- Dr.rer.pol. Werner Matthis on 22 January 1944 as Oberst and commander of the 428th Grenadier Regiment
- Dr.jur Herbert Seidenstücker on 18 November 1943 as Hauptmann der Reserve and commander of the 2nd Battalion of ther 428th Grenadier Regiment
430th Grenadier Regiment
- Hellmuth Boehlke on 24 September 1942 as Oberst and commander of the 430th Infantry Regiment
- Bruno Fröhlich on 22 January 1943 as FeldwebelFeldwebelFeldwebel is a German military rank which has existed since at least the 18th century with usage as a title dating to the Middle Ages. The word Feldwebel is usually translated as sergeant being rated OR-6 in the NATO rank comparison scale, equivalent to the British Army Sergeant and the US Army...
and Zugführer in the 7th Battalion of the 430th Grenadier Regiment - Nikolaus Purlis on 28 October 1944 as Unteroffizier and group leader in the 6th Battalion of the 430th Grenadier Regiment
- Hans Uhl on 22 January 1943 as Hauptmann and leader of the 2nd Battalion of the 430th Grenadier Regiment
- Bruno Weisse on 28 October 1944 as Hauptmann der Reserve and leader of the 2nd Battalion of the 430th Grenadier Regiment
- Willi Wesche on 9 April 1943 as Major and commander of the 430th Grenadier Regiment
129th Artillery Regiment
- Hermann Kremer on 23 March 1945 as Major der Reserve and commander of the 2nd Battalion of the 129th Artillery Regiment
- Kurt Schneider on 11 September 1943 as Hauptmann der Reserve and chief of the 7th Battalion of the 129th Artillery Regiment
- Albrecht Wüstenhagen on 2 December 1942 as Oberst and commander of the 129th Artillery Regiment
129th Panzerjäger Battalion
- Rudolf Albust on 19 December 1943 as ObergefreiterObergefreiterObergefreiter is a rank of the German and Swiss militaries which dates from the 19th century.The rank was only used in the German army's heavy artillery branch before 1919 and commonly established with the founding of the Reichswehr...
and Richtschütze in the 2nd Battalion of the 129th Panzerjäger Battalion
129th Füsilier Battalion
- Helmut Groß on 31 August 1943 as Major and commander of the 129th Füsilier Battalion
- Josef HeicheleJosef HeicheleJosef Heichele was a highly decorated Major in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
on 31 January 1944 as Hauptmann and leader of the 129th Füsilier Battalion
Sources
- Wendel, Marcus: 129. Infanterie-Division. Article at Axis History Factbook
- Wendel, Marcus: Knight's Cross Holders of 129. Infanterie-Division. Article at Axis History Factbook
- 129. Infanterie-Division. Article at Lexicon der Wehrmacht
- Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 (in German). München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 1985. ISBN 3-423-05944-3
Further reading
- Boucsein, Heinrich: Halten oder Sterben. Die hessisch-thüringische 129. Infanterie-Division im Rußlandfeldzug und Ostpreußen 1941 - 1945. Kurt Vowinckel Verlag KG, Berg am See/Potsdam 1999