72nd Infantry Division (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The 72nd Infantry Division was created on 19 September 1939 in Trier
from Grenz-Division Trier, which was a border security unit. It was destroyed on the Eastern front
25 March 1944 and reformed June 1944.
Trier
Trier, historically called in English Treves is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC....
from Grenz-Division Trier, which was a border security unit. It was destroyed on 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...
25 March 1944 and reformed June 1944.
Commanding officers
- General der Infanterie Franz MattenklottFranz MattenklottFranz Mattenklott was a German General der Infanterie during World War II and recipient of the renowned Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross was Nazi Germany's highest award for military gallantry and was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military...
, 1 September 1939 - 25 July 1940 - General der Infanterie Helge AulebHelge AulebHelge Arthur Auleb was a German general of infantry, serving during World War II. He was born in Gehren.Auleb commanded the 6.Infanterie-Division as part of VI. Armeekorps during Operation Typhoon in October 1941...
, 25 July 1940 - 4 September 1940 - General der Infanterie Franz MattenklottFranz MattenklottFranz Mattenklott was a German General der Infanterie during World War II and recipient of the renowned Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The Knight's Cross was Nazi Germany's highest award for military gallantry and was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or successful military...
, 4 September 1940 - 6 November 1940 - Generalleutnant Philipp Müller-GebhardPhilipp Müller-GebhardPhilipp Müller-Gebhard 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...
, 6 November 1940 - 10 July 1942 - Generalmajor Curt Souchay, 10 July 1942 - 24 November 1942
- Generalleutnant Philipp Müller-Gebhard, 24 November 1942 - 17 February 1943
- Generalleutnant Ralph Graf von OriolaRalph Graf von OriolaRalph Georg Edgar Joachim Eddo Graf von Oriola was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the XIII. Armeekorps. 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...
, 17 February 1943 - 3 May 1943 - Generalleutnant Philipp Müller-Gebhard, 3 May 1943 - 1 November 1943
- Generalleutnant Erwin Menny, 1 November 1943 - 20 November 1943
- Generalleutnant Dr. Hermann HohnHermann HohnGeneralleutnant Dr. rer. pol. Hermann Hohn was a German general serving during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 20 November 1943 - 25 March 1944 - Generalmajor Karl ArningKarl ArningKarl Eduard Friedrich Arning 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...
, 10 June 1944 - 19 June 1944 - General der Kavallerie Gustav HarteneckGustav HarteneckGustav Harteneck was a highly decorated General der Kavallerie 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...
, 19 June 1944 - 1 July 1944 - Generalleutnant Dr. Hermann HohnHermann HohnGeneralleutnant Dr. rer. pol. Hermann Hohn was a German general serving during World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
, 1 July 1944 - 20 April 1945 - Generalleutnant Hugo Beißwänger, 20 April 1945 - 8 May 1945
See also
- Division (military)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...
, Military unit, List of German divisions in WWII - HeerGerman ArmyThe 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...
, WehrmachtWehrmachtThe Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...