346th Infantry Division (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The 346th Infantry Division was a division
of the German Army
during the Second World War.
It was formed on 21 September 1942, at Bad Hersfeld
. The majority of its manpower transferred from formations serving in France on occupation duties. In November 1942, the division was sent to France as a static or garrison division, initially at St Malo but moved to Le Harve in the spring of 1944. Where it became involved in the battles of the Normandy landings.
Units
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
German Army
The 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...
during the Second World War.
It was formed on 21 September 1942, at Bad Hersfeld
Bad Hersfeld
The festival and spa town of Bad Hersfeld is the district seat of Hersfeld-Rotenburg district in northeastern Hesse, Germany, roughly 50 km southeast of Kassel....
. The majority of its manpower transferred from formations serving in France on occupation duties. In November 1942, the division was sent to France as a static or garrison division, initially at St Malo but moved to Le Harve in the spring of 1944. Where it became involved in the battles of the Normandy landings.
Formation
Commanders- Lieutenant General Erich DiestelErich DiestelErich Diestel 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...
- Major General Walter Steinmuller
- Major General Gerhard LindnerGerhard LindnerGerhard Lindner was a highly decorated Generalmajor 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...
Units
- 857th Fortress Infantry Regiment (two battalions)
- 858th Fortress Infantry Regiment (three battalions)
- 346th Artillery Regiment (three battalions)
- 630th Ost Infantry Battalion
- 857th Ost Infantry Battalion