5th Infantry Division (Germany)

The German 5th Infantry Division ( _de. 5. Infanterie-Division) was formed in October 1934 and mobilized on 25 August, 1939. The division's troops were garrisoned in Konstanz, Ulm, and Freiburg. [Tessin, p. 288]

When formed, the division consisted of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd battalions of the 14th, 56th, and 75th Infantry Regiments, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 5th Artillery Regiment, the 1st battalion of the 41st Artillery Regiment, and assorted 5th Division support units. [Tessin, p. 288]

The division sat out the Invasion of Poland on the western front and first saw battle with the Second Army during the Campaign for France in 1940. Thereafter the division was engaged in occupation duties in France until March 1941. [Tessin, p. 288]

In April 1941, the division was sent to East Prussia and then took part in the invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, fighting in the vicinity of Vyazma until the end of the year, when the division was pulled back to France for a two-month refit. [Tessin, pp. 288-289]

In 1942, the division returned to the eastern front, took part in the fighting around Demyansk in March and April 1942 and fought in the area of Staraja Russa until the close of 1943. [Tessin, p. 289] [Mitcham, p. 320] In July 1942, the division was reorganized as a Jäger division and renamed the "5. Jäger-Division". [Tessin, p. 288]

The division retreated through the areas of Vitebsk, Kovel, and Narev during 1944. In early 1945, the division fought in the vicinities of Neustettin and Dramburg, with its last battles fought around Freienwalde near the Oder River during the Battle of Berlin in April 1945. The division surrendered to the Red Army at Wittenberge. [Tessin, p. 289]

Commanding officers

* Wilhelm Fahrmbacher, 1 September 1939
* Karl Allmendinger, 25 October 1940
* Jost Walter, June 1942

ee also

*Order of battle of the German Ninth Army, October 1941

References

Article Sources

* Hitler's Legions, Samuel W. Mitcham, Jr., Briarcliff Manor: Stein and Day, 1985.
* Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS 1939-1945, Volume II, Georg Tessin, Osnabrück: Biblio Verlag, 1973.