German 18th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The German 18th Infantry Division was formed on 1 October 1934 as Infanterieführer III in Liegnitz
and renamed 18. Infanterie-Division on 15 October 1935. Mobilized in August 1939 it participated in the Invasion of Poland and in 1940 in the Battle of France
. After the French campaign the division was motorized and redesignated 18th Motorized Infantry Division on 1 November 1940 serving on the Eastern Front for the remainder of the war. In June 1943 the division was redesignated 18th Panzergrenadier Division.
Legnica
Legnica is a town in south-western Poland, in Silesia, in the central part of Lower Silesia, on the plain of Legnica, riverside: Kaczawa and Czarna Woda. Between 1 June 1975 and 31 December 1998 Legnica was the capital of the Legnica Voivodeship. It is currently the seat of the county...
and renamed 18. Infanterie-Division on 15 October 1935. Mobilized in August 1939 it participated in the Invasion of Poland and in 1940 in the Battle of France
Battle of France
In the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
. After the French campaign the division was motorized and redesignated 18th Motorized Infantry Division on 1 November 1940 serving on the Eastern Front for the remainder of the war. In June 1943 the division was redesignated 18th Panzergrenadier Division.
German 18th Infantry Division
- From September 1939 until May 1940 the division fought in Invasion of PolandInvasion of Poland (1939)The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
and then made up part of the occupation force. - From May 1940 until November 1940 the division fought in the Battle of FranceBattle of FranceIn the Second World War, the Battle of France was the German invasion of France and the Low Countries, beginning on 10 May 1940, which ended the Phoney War. The battle consisted of two main operations. In the first, Fall Gelb , German armoured units pushed through the Ardennes, to cut off and...
and then made up part of the occupation forceGerman occupation of France in World War IIThe Military Administration in France was an interim occupation authority established by Nazi Germany during World War II. It remained in existence from May 1940 to December 1944. As a result of the defeat of France and its Allies in the Battle of France, the French cabinet sought a cessation...
when it was redesignated 18th Motorised Infantry Division.
German 18th Motorized Infantry Division
Formed 1 November 1940- Part of the occupation force in FranceGerman occupation of France in World War IIThe Military Administration in France was an interim occupation authority established by Nazi Germany during World War II. It remained in existence from May 1940 to December 1944. As a result of the defeat of France and its Allies in the Battle of France, the French cabinet sought a cessation...
from November 1940 until June 1941. - Fought on the Eastern FrontEastern 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...
, central sector from June 1941 until January 1942. - Fought on the Eastern front, northern sector from January 1942 until June 1943 when it was redesignated 18th Panzergrenadier Division.
German 18th Panzergrenadier Division
Formed on 23 June 1943.- Fought on the Eastern front, northern sector from June 1943 until October 1943.
- Fought on the Eastern front, central sector from October 1943 until September 1944. It was devastated in the Soviet 1944 summer offensive.
- The remnants of the Division fought in Eastern Prussia and in the Battle of BerlinBattle of BerlinThe Battle of Berlin, designated the Berlin Strategic Offensive Operation by the Soviet Union, was the final major offensive of the European Theatre of World War II....
. The survivors tried to fight their way out of Berlin on 2 May 1945 when Berlin surrendered to the Soviets.
18. Infanterie-Division
- Generalleutnant Hermann HothHermann HothHermann "Papa" Hoth was an officer in the German military from 1903 to 1945. He attained the rank of Generaloberst during World War II. He fought in France, but is most noted for his later exploits as a panzer commander on the Eastern Front...
, 1 October 1934 – 1 April 1938 - Generalleutnant Erich von MansteinErich von MansteinErich von Manstein was a field marshal in World War II. He became one of the most prominent commanders of Germany's World War II armed forces...
, 1 April 1938 – 26 August 1939 - Generalleutnant Friedrich-Carl CranzFriedrich-Carl CranzFriedrich-Carl Cranz was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 18.Infanterie-Division. 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...
, 26 August 1939 – 1 November 1940
18. Infanterie-Division (mot.)
- Generalleutnant Friedrich-Carl Cranz, 1 November 1940 – 24 March 1941
- General der Infanterie Friedrich HerrleinFriedrich HerrleinFriedrich Herrlein was a highly decorated General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the LV. Corps. 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...
, 24 March – 15 December 1941 - General der Infanterie Werner von ErdmannsdorffWerner von ErdmannsdorffWerner von Erdmannsdorff was a highly decorated General der Infanterie 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...
, 15 December 1941 – 23 June 1943
18. Panzergrenadier-Division
- General der Infanterie Werner von Erdmannsdorff, 23 June 1943 – 9 August 1943
- Generalleutnant Karl Zutavern, 9 August 1943 – 14 April 1944
- General der Artillerie Curt Jahn, 14 April 1944 – 24 May 1944
- Generalleutnant Karl Zutavern, 24 May 1944 – 6 July 1944
- Generalleutnant Dr. Hans BoelsenHans BoelsenDr.jur. Dr.rer.pol. Hans Boelsen 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 July 1944 – 1 January 1945 - Generalmajor Josef Rauch, 1 January – 8 May 1945