German 44th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 44th Infantry Division was formed on April 1, 1938 in Vienna
, and was destroyed with the 6th Army
at Stalingrad in January 1943. Like all the divisions lost in the Stalingrad disaster, it was reformed using other formations and usually a cadre of specialists who had been evacuated by air before the 6th Army's surrender.
In January 1940 the Feldersatz Battalion was detached and became the 3rd battalion, 443rd infantry regiment, 164th infantry division. In September 1940, one third of the division was detached to form the 137th Infantry Division. (At that time, the German Army formed new divisions by detaching one-third of two existing divisions, then raising the remaining parts from new recruits. In this manner only one-third of the two old and one newly created divisions were new recruits).
On 17 February 1943, the division was reformed with the 887th and 888th Grenadier Regiments in Belgium
. On 1 June 1943, the 134th Grenadier Regiment was added, and the division renamed Reichsgrenadier Division Hoch und Deutschmeister, along with the 80th Panzerjager, 46th Pioneer, 64th Signals, and 44th Divisional support units. The Meier Panzer Group was added to the division in 1943-1944. The division served in Italy, suffering heavy losses during the fighting for the "Hitler" Line and the Melfa River. Its Feldersatz Battalion was very nearly wiped out opposite 1st Canadian Infantry Division. 44th Division surrendered to American troops near Linz
.
after recreation
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, and was destroyed with the 6th Army
German Sixth Army
The 6th Army was a designation for German field armies which saw action in World War I and World War II. The 6th Army is best known for fighting in the Battle of Stalingrad, during which it became the first entire German field army to be completely destroyed...
at Stalingrad in January 1943. Like all the divisions lost in the Stalingrad disaster, it was reformed using other formations and usually a cadre of specialists who had been evacuated by air before the 6th Army's surrender.
In January 1940 the Feldersatz Battalion was detached and became the 3rd battalion, 443rd infantry regiment, 164th infantry division. In September 1940, one third of the division was detached to form the 137th Infantry Division. (At that time, the German Army formed new divisions by detaching one-third of two existing divisions, then raising the remaining parts from new recruits. In this manner only one-third of the two old and one newly created divisions were new recruits).
On 17 February 1943, the division was reformed with the 887th and 888th Grenadier Regiments in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. On 1 June 1943, the 134th Grenadier Regiment was added, and the division renamed Reichsgrenadier Division Hoch und Deutschmeister, along with the 80th Panzerjager, 46th Pioneer, 64th Signals, and 44th Divisional support units. The Meier Panzer Group was added to the division in 1943-1944. The division served in Italy, suffering heavy losses during the fighting for the "Hitler" Line and the Melfa River. Its Feldersatz Battalion was very nearly wiped out opposite 1st Canadian Infantry Division. 44th Division surrendered to American troops near Linz
Linz
Linz is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria . It is located in the north centre of Austria, approximately south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. The population of the city is , and that of the Greater Linz conurbation is about...
.
Commanding officers
- Generalleutnant Albrecht SchubertAlbrecht SchubertAlbrecht Schubert was a highly decorated General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, 1 April 1938 – 1 October 1939 - Generalleutnant Friedrich SiebertFriedrich SiebertFriedrich Maximilian Siebert was a German general who commanded the XIII Corps during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, 1 October 1939 – 2 May 1942 - Generalleutnant Heinrich Deboi, 2 May 1942 – 29 January 1943
after recreation
- Generalleutnant Dr. Franz BeyerFranz Beyer (general)Dr. jur. Franz Beyer was a highly decorated General der Infanterie in the Wehrmacht during World War II who held commands at the divisional and corps levels. 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...
, 1 March 1943 – 1 January 1944 - Generalleutnant Dr. rer. pol. Friedrich FranekFriedrich FranekDr. rer. pol. Friedrich "Fritz" FranekIn German a Doctorate of Economics is abbreviated as Dr. rer. pol. . was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Wehrmacht during World War II. He was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, awarded to recognise extreme battlefield bravery or...
1 January 1944 – 1 May 1944 - Generalleutnant Bruno Ortner 1 May 1944 – 25 June 1944
- Generalleutnant Hans-Günther von RostHans-Günther von RostHans-Günther von Rost 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...
25 June 1944 – 23 March 1945 - Oberst Hoffmann 23 March 1945 – 8 May 1945)
Units
- infantery regiment 131
- infantery regiment 132
- infantery regiment 134
- artillery regiment 96
- field exchangebataillon 44
- antitank unit 46
- sapper bataillon 80
- communication unit 64