The 245th Infantry Division (German: 245. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Heer during World War II. It was active between 1943 and 1945.
Operational history
editThe 245th Infantry Division was formed on 8 July 1943 as a static infantry division in the Rouen area in occupied France. It initially consisted of the Grenadier Regiments 935, 936 and 937, as well as the Artillery Regiment 245.[1] The division's initial commander was Erwin Sander.[2]
The division was in the Fécamp area during the beginning of the Allied Operation Overlord. While it did not fight the Allies immediately, it saw combat during the Allied drive into the Low Countries. In September 1944, it was in the Arnhem area Between 2 October and 8 November, the 245th Division fought in the Battle of the Scheldt. It was briefly withdrawn from the frontline to be reinforced, but returned to face U.S. 3rd Army forces before the end of the year 1944. It fought in northern Alsace in early 1945, and was once again sent to the reserves to be reinforced on 1 March 1945. It surrendered to British forces in the Schleswig-Holstein area.[2]
Superior formations
editAt the corps level, the 245th Infantry Division served at times under LXXXI, LXVII, LXXXIX, LXXXVIII, LXXXVIII, and LXXXIX Army Corps. At the army level, the division served at times under 15th and 1st Armies. At the army group level, the division served at times under Army Group D, Army Group B and Army Group G.[1]
| Year | Month | Army Corps | Army | Army Group | Operational Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | October | None | None | Army Group D (von Rundstedt) | Rouen |
| November – December | 15th Army (von Vietinghoff, von Salmuth, von Zangen) | ||||
| 1944 | January – April | LXXXI Army Corps | Dieppe | ||
| May – July | Army Group B (Rommel, von Kluge, Model) | ||||
| August | LXVII Army Corps | Belgium | |||
| September | LXXXIX Army Corps | ||||
| October | LXXXVIII Army Corps | Tilburg | |||
| November | LXVII Army Corps | Breda | |||
| December | None | 1st Army (von Obstfelder) | Army Group G (Blaskowitz, Hausser) | Saarpfalz | |
| 1945 | January – February | LXXXIX Army Corps | Northern Alsace | ||
| March | None | None | None | Lower Rhine | |
| April | II Parachute Corps (Meindl) | 1st Parachute Army (Blumentritt, Student) | North Germany |
Noteworthy individuals
edit- Erwin Sander, divisional commander starting 8 September 1943.[2]
- Kuno Dewitz, divisional commander starting 1 April 1945.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c Tessin, Georg (1977). "245. Infanterie-Division". Die Landstreitkräfte 201-280. Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939-1945 (in German). Vol. 8. Osnabrück: Biblio Verlag. pp. 193–196. ISBN 3764810971.
- ^ a b c d Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). "245TH INFANTRY DIVISION". German Order of Battle: 1st-290th Infantry Divisions in WWII. Stackpole Books. p. 289. ISBN 9780811746540.