18th Volksgrenadier Division

The 18th Volksgrenadier Division (18. Volksgrenadier-Division; 18. VGD) was a volksgrenadier division of the German Army (Heer) during the Second World War, active from 1944 to 1945.

18th Volksgrenadier Division
Active	1944–1945
Disbanded	1945
Country	Nazi Germany
Allegiance	Army
Type	Volksgrenadier
Size	Division
Commanders
Notable commanders	Günther Hoffmann-Schönborn Walter Botsch Heinz Kokott

The division was formed in Denmark, in September 1944, by redesignating 571. Volksgrenadier-Division. Under the command of Günther Hoffmann-Schönborn, the new division absorbed elements of the 18th Luftwaffe Field Division. It contained the 293., 294. and 295. grenadier regiments, Panzerjäger-Bataillon 1818, Pionier-Bataillon 1818, Füsilier-Bataillon 1818 and Artillerie-Regiment 1818.[1]

The division fought in the Ardennes, inflicting on the 106th US Infantry Division the worst defeat suffered by U.S. forces in the ETO, when over 8,000 US soldiers surrendered to the volksgrenadiers. On December 21, 18. VGD captured St. Vith, winning a great victory. As the offensive steam came to an end in the Ardennes, the division went on the defensive, and there they would stay. Eventually retreating through Germany until the end of the war, when it surrendered. On February 5, 1945 General Walter Botsch took over command of the division.[1] On March 6, 1945, when Botsch was ordered to take command of the LIIIrd Army Corps, the 18. VGD division was absorbed into the 26. VGD led by Heinz Kokott, Heinrich Himmler's brother-in-law.