German 6th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 6th Infantry Division (6. Infanterie-Division) was a unit of the German Army
during World War II
. Formed in October 1934 from Infanterieführer V in Bielefeld
, the division was mobilized on 26 August 1939 for the upcoming invasion of Poland
. At that time, it consisted of the usual German infantry division elements: three infantry regiments of three battalions each, one three-battalion regiment of light artillery, one battalion of heavy artillery (from a separate artillery regiment, but attached to the particular division), a Panzerjäger (anti-tank) Battalion, a reconnaissance (Aufklärungs) Battalion, a Signals Battalion, a Pioneer (Engineer) Battalion, and divisional supply, medical, and administrative units.
In 1944 the division was first renamed 6. Grenadier-Division (25 July 1944) and again in 6. Volksgrenadier-Division (9 October 1944). The division was destroyed during the Soviet Vistula–Oder Offensive in January 1945 and reestablished as 6. Infanterie-Division (10 March 1945) using elements of Shadow Division Dresden.
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:...
during 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...
. Formed in October 1934 from Infanterieführer V in Bielefeld
Bielefeld
Bielefeld is an independent city in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe Region in the north-east of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a population of 323,000, it is also the most populous city in the Regierungsbezirk Detmold...
, the division was mobilized on 26 August 1939 for the upcoming invasion of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
. At that time, it consisted of the usual German infantry division elements: three infantry regiments of three battalions each, one three-battalion regiment of light artillery, one battalion of heavy artillery (from a separate artillery regiment, but attached to the particular division), a Panzerjäger (anti-tank) Battalion, a reconnaissance (Aufklärungs) Battalion, a Signals Battalion, a Pioneer (Engineer) Battalion, and divisional supply, medical, and administrative units.
In 1944 the division was first renamed 6. Grenadier-Division (25 July 1944) and again in 6. Volksgrenadier-Division (9 October 1944). The division was destroyed during the Soviet Vistula–Oder Offensive in January 1945 and reestablished as 6. Infanterie-Division (10 March 1945) using elements of Shadow Division Dresden.
Commanding officers
- General der Pioniere Walter KuntzeWalter KuntzeWalter Kuntze was a highly decorated General der Pioniere in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 12. Armee. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, 15 May 1935 - Generalleutnant Arnold Freiherr von BiegelebenArnold Freiherr von BiegelebenArnold Freiherr von Biegeleben was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 6. 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...
, 1 March 1938 - Generalleutnant 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...
, 14 October 1940 - Generalleutnant Horst GroßmannHorst GroßmannHorst Großmann was a German general who commanded the 6. Infanterie Division during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross and its higher grade Oak Leaves was awarded to recognise extreme battlefield...
, 25 January 1942 - Generalleutnant Egon von NeindorffEgon von NeindorffEgon von Neindorff was a Major General awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves for his defense of the German garrison at Tarnopol.-World War I and Interwar Period:...
, 16 December 1943 - Oberst Alexander ConradyAlexander ConradyAlexander Conrady was a highly decorated Generalmajor in the Wehrmacht during World War II who commanded the 36th Infantry Division. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 12 January 1944 - Oberst Günther Klammt, 19 January 1944
- Generalleutnant Hans-Walter HeyneHans-Walter HeyneHans-Walter Heyne-Hedersleben 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 June 1944 - Generalleutnant Otto-Hermann BrückerOtto-Hermann BrückerOtto-Hermann Adolf Brücker 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...
, until 4 May 1945 - Generalmajor Friedrich-Wilhelm Liegmann, 4 May 1945