German 164th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 164th Division was a unit of the Wehrmacht
in World War II
. It was initially created as the 164th Infantry Division in November 1939 and took part in the invasion of Greece
in April 1941. In January 1942, consolidating Axis seizure of the island during the Battle of Crete
, the 164th was reorganized as Fortress Division Kreta (FDK). In August 1942 the division was split to form the smaller Fortress Brigade Kreta and the 164th Light Afrika Division , with the former remaining in Crete
and the latter sent to North Africa.
The 164th Light Afrika Division fought at El Alamein
and took heavy casualties in the westward retreat. It was sent to Tripoli
for rehabilitation, but the necessary resources were not available, so it was sent to Tunisia
to build fortifications. It was almost entirely destroyed there, and the remnants were lost in general Axis surrender in May.
Wehrmacht
The 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:...
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 initially created as the 164th Infantry Division in November 1939 and took part in the invasion of Greece
Battle of Metaxas Line
The Battle of Metaxas Line, also known as Battle of the Forts , or Struggle for the Metaxas Line , was the first battle during the Greek campaign of World War II...
in April 1941. In January 1942, consolidating Axis seizure of the island during the Battle of Crete
Battle of Crete
The Battle of Crete was a battle during World War II on the Greek island of Crete. It began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete under the code-name Unternehmen Merkur...
, the 164th was reorganized as Fortress Division Kreta (FDK). In August 1942 the division was split to form the smaller Fortress Brigade Kreta and the 164th Light Afrika Division , with the former remaining in Crete
Crete
Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
and the latter sent to North Africa.
The 164th Light Afrika Division fought at El Alamein
El Alamein
El Alamein is a town in the northern Matrouh Governorate of Egypt. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it lies west of Alexandria and northwest of Cairo. As of 2007, it has a local population of 7,397 inhabitants.- Climate :...
and took heavy casualties in the westward retreat. It was sent to Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
for rehabilitation, but the necessary resources were not available, so it was sent to Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
to build fortifications. It was almost entirely destroyed there, and the remnants were lost in general Axis surrender in May.
164th infantry division
- Generalleutnant Konrad Haase, 1 December 1939 – 10 January 1940
- Generalleutnant Josef Folttmann, 10 January 1940 – 1 January 1942
164th light infantry division
- Generalleutnant Josef Folttmann, 18 July 1942 – 10 August 1942
- Generalleutnant Carl-Hans Lungershausen, 10 August 1942 – 15 January 1943
- Generalmajor Kurt Freiherr von LiebensteinKurt Freiherr von LiebensteinKurt Freiherr von Liebenstein was a German general.Liebenstein was born in Horb am Neckar in the Kingdom of Württemberg. He joined the German Army on December 20, 1916, as a Fahnenjunker and took part in World War I. He was decorated with the Eisernes Kreuz. German Cross in Gold on 26 January 1942...
, 15 January 1943 – 12 May 1943
See also
- Fortress CreteFortress CreteFortress Crete was the term used during World War II by the German occupation forces to refer to the garrison and fortification of the Greek island of Crete, which they had captured after a fierce battle at the end of May 1941...
- Western Desert CampaignWestern Desert CampaignThe Western Desert Campaign, also known as the Desert War, was the initial stage of the North African Campaign during the Second World War. The campaign was heavily influenced by the availability of supplies and transport. The ability of the Allied forces, operating from besieged Malta, to...
, North African CampaignNorth African campaignDuring the Second World War, the North African Campaign took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943. It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts and in Morocco and Algeria and Tunisia .The campaign was fought between the Allies and Axis powers, many of whom had... - 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 - 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:...
, List of German divisions in WWII