Infantry Division Schlageter
The Infantry Division Schlageter (German: Infanterie-Division Schlageter) was an infantry division of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. It was formed in late March 1945 as one of the last new divisions of the Wehrmacht before the end of the war.
| Infantry Division Schlageter | |
|---|---|
| Infanterie-Division Schlageter | |
| Active | 31 March 1945 – 3 May 1945 |
| Country | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Nazi Germany |
| Branch | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} German Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Patron | Albert Leo Schlageter |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Wilhelm Heun |
The division was named after Albert Leo Schlageter (1894–1923).
History
The Infantry Division Schlageter was formed on 31 March 1945 as a division of the 35th and final Aufstellungswelle in the Munster Training Area. It was formed as the first of three divisions staffed with Reich Labour Service (RAD) personnel. The division was initially also designated RAD-Division z.b.V. 1. It was then combined with parts of the 299th Infantry Division that had been relocated to the Dessau area from East Prussia.[1] The 299th Infantry Division was subsequently formally disbanded on 4 April 1945.[2] The divisional commander was Wilhelm Heun.[3]
The division was deployed to the Ludwigslust area on 12 April and saw first combat near Waren, in support of units of the 3rd Panzer Army, on 29 April. The division was taken prisoner by U.S. Army forces on 3 May 1945.[1]
Noteworthy individuals
- Wilhelm Heun, divisional commander.[3]
References
- Tessin, Georg (1977). "Infanterie-Division Schlageter (1. RAD)". Die Landstreitkräfte: Namensverbände. Luftstreitkräfte (Fliegende Verbände). Flakeinsatz im Reich 1943-1945. Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939-1945 (in German). Vol. 14. Osnabrück: Biblio Verlag. pp. 224–225. ISBN 3764810971.
- Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). "299th Infantry Division". German Order of Battle. Volume Two: 291st-999th Infantry Divisions, Named Infantry Divisions, and Special Divisions in WWII. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811734165.
- Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). "Infantry Division Schageter [sic] (1st RAD Division)". German Order of Battle. Volume Two: 291st-999th Infantry Divisions, Named Infantry Divisions, and Special Divisions in WWII. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811734165.