180th Infantry Division
180. Infanterie-Division
ActiveJanuary 1940 - March 1945
Country Nazi Germany
BranchHeer (Wehrmacht)
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
EngagementsOperation Market Garden
Battle of Arnhem
Battle of Wesel
Ruhr Pocket

The 180th Infantry Division (German: 180. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Heer during World War II. The unit, at times designated Commander of Reserve Troops X/II (German: Kommandeur der Ersatztruppen X/II), 180th Division (German: 180. Division), Division No. 180 (German: Division Nr. 180), and Operation Division No. 180 (German: Einsatz-Division Nr. 180), was active between 1939 and 1945.

History

1939

The 180th Division, also designated Commander of Reserve Troops X/II, was formed in Bremen in Wehrkreis X on 25 November 1939. The initial command staff assigned to Wehrkreis X, the 170th Division, had been reorganized into a field division and thus needed a replacement in the form of the 180th, which was redesignated Division No. 180 on 21 December 1939.[1] The division's initial commander, appointed on 1 December 1939, was Kurt Woytasch. Woytasch was replaced by Martin Gilbert on 10 January 1940.[2]

1940

In March 1940, the division consisted of the following elements:[1]

1942

In January 1942, Gilbert was replaced as divisional commander by Herbert Lemke.[2]

1943

On 16 August 1943, the division staff was temporarily moved to Verden, a move that was made permanent on 10 January 1944. In December 1943, the division consisted of the following elements:[1]

1944

On 18 September 1944, the codeword Alarm Küste was given out to German forces in response to several Allied paratrooper landings in the Netherlands, collectively known as Operation Market Garden. The 180th Division, now designated Operation Division No. 180, was moved against the British forces. The division consisted of the following forces, with a strength of at least 8475 personnel:[1]

The division was also accompanied in combat by Kampfgruppe Fastenau, Battalion Wienke, and the Heavy Flak Detachments 362 and 666.[1] The 180th Division was successful in slowing the Allied XXX Corps long enough to secure German victory at the Battle of Arnhem. It was under command of Bernhard Klosterkemper starting on 27 September 1944. Klosterkemper soon passed command to Martin Gilbert on 1 October.[2] Several parts of the division that were not utilized in combat were later reformed into Division No. 480.[1]

Following an order on 31 October 1944, Division No. 180 was reformed into the 180th Infantry Division. The 180th Infantry Division initially consisted of the following units:[1]

1945

Between October 1944 and February 1945, the 180th Infantry Division served under the LXXXVI Army Corps.[1] The division fought in the Venlo area between December 1944 and January 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge.[2] On 15 March 1945, Infantry Division Hamburg was integrated into the 180th Infantry Division. The division ended the war under the LIII Army Corps.[1] After participating in combat against the 2nd British Army in the Battle of Wesel, the 180th Infantry Division was crushed in Operation Varsity in March 1945. The shattered remnants of the divisions were driven back by the Allied forces into the Ruhr Pocket, where the 180th Infantry Division fought its final battle.[2]

Noteworthy individuals

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Tessin, Georg (1972). "180". Die Landstreitkräfte 131-200. Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939-1945 (in German). Vol. 7. Osnabrück: Biblio Verlag. pp. 203–206. ISBN 3764808721.
  2. ^ a b c d e Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). "180th Infantry (formerly Replacement) Division". German Order of Battle. Volume One. 1st-290th Infantry Divisions in World War II. Stackpole Books. pp. 232–233. ISBN 9780811734165.
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