81st Infantry Division (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The 81st Infantry
Division (German: 81. Infanterie-Division) was a German
division
in World War II
. It was formed on 1 December 1939.
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
Division (German: 81. Infanterie-Division) was a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
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...
in 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...
. It was formed on 1 December 1939.
81. Infanterie-Division 1939
- Infanterie-Regiment 161
- Infanterie-Regiment 174
- Infanterie-Regiment 189
- Artillerie-Regiment 181
- Pionier-Battalion 181
- Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 181
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachrichten-Abteilung 181
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachschubführer 181
81. Infanterie-Division 1944
- Grenadier-Regiment 161
- Grenadier-Regiment 174
- Grenadier-Regiment 189
- Divisions-Füsilier-Battalion 61
- Artillerie-Regiment 181
- Pionier-Battalion 181
- Panzerjäger-Abteilung 181
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachrichten-Abteilung 181
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachschubführer 181
Commanding officers
- Generalleutnant Friedrich-Wilhelm von LoeperFriedrich-Wilhelm von LoeperFriedrich-Wilhelm von Loeper 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 December 1939 – 5 October 1940 - Generalmajor Hugo Ribstein, 5 October 1940 – 8 December 1941
- Generalleutnant Erich Schopper, 8 December 1941 – 1 March 1943
- Generalleutnant Gottfried WeberGottfried Weber (general)Gottfried Weber was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II and a Generalmajor in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 1 March 1943 – 13 March 1943 - Generalleutnant Erich Schopper, 13 March 1943 – 1 June 1943
- Generalleutnant Gottfried Weber, 1 June 1943 – 30 June 1943
- Generalleutnant Erich Schopper, 30 June 1943 – 5 April 1944
- Generalleutnant Vollrath LübbeVollrath LübbeVollrath Lübbe was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded several divisions. 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...
, 5 April 1944 – 1 July 1944 - Generalmajor der Reserve Dr. Ernst Meiners, 1 July 1944 – 10 July 1944
- Generalleutnant Franz-Eccard von Bentivegni, 10 July 1944 – 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:...