The 18th Volksgrenadier Division (18. Volksgrenadier-Division; 18. VGD) was a volksgrenadier division of the German Army (i.e. Heer) during the Second World War, active from 1944 to 1945.
The division was formed in Denmark, in September 1944, by redesignating 571. Volksgrenadier-Division. Under the command of Günther Hoffmann-Schönborn, the new division absorbed elements of the 18th Luftwaffe Field Division. It contained the 293., 294. and 295. grenadier regiments, Panzerjäger-Bataillon 1818, Pionier-Bataillon 1818, Füsilier-Bataillon 1818 and Artillerie-Regiment 1818.[1]
The division fought in the Ardennes, inflicting on the 106th US Infantry Division the worst defeat suffered by U.S. forces in the ETO, when over 8,000 US soldiers surrendered to the volksgrenadiers. On December 21, 18. VGD captured St. Vith, winning a great victory. As the offensive steam came to an end in the Ardennes, the division went on the defensive, and there they would stay. Eventually retreating through Germany until the end of the war, when it surrendered. On February 5, 1945 General Walter Botsch took over command of the division.[1] On March 6, 1945, when Botsch was ordered to take command of the LIIIrd Army Corps, the 18. VGD division was absorbed into the 26. VGD led by Heinz Kokott, Heinrich Himmler's brother-in-law.
18th, volksgrenadier, division, volksgrenadier, division, volksgrenadier, division, german, army, heer, during, second, world, active, from, 1944, 1945, founded1944disbanded1945country, germanyallegianceadolf, hitlerbranch, german, armytypevolksgrenadiersizedi. The 18th Volksgrenadier Division 18 Volksgrenadier Division 18 VGD was a volksgrenadier division of the German Army i e Heer during the Second World War active from 1944 to 1945 18th Volksgrenadier DivisionFounded1944Disbanded1945Country GermanyAllegianceAdolf HitlerBranch German ArmyTypeVolksgrenadierSizeDivisionCommandersNotablecommandersGunther Hoffmann SchonbornWalter BotschHeinz Kokott The division was formed in Denmark in September 1944 by redesignating 571 Volksgrenadier Division Under the command of Gunther Hoffmann Schonborn the new division absorbed elements of the 18th Luftwaffe Field Division It contained the 293 294 and 295 grenadier regiments Panzerjager Bataillon 1818 Pionier Bataillon 1818 Fusilier Bataillon 1818 and Artillerie Regiment 1818 1 The division fought in the Ardennes inflicting on the 106th US Infantry Division the worst defeat suffered by U S forces in the ETO when over 8 000 US soldiers surrendered to the volksgrenadiers On December 21 18 VGD captured St Vith winning a great victory As the offensive steam came to an end in the Ardennes the division went on the defensive and there they would stay Eventually retreating through Germany until the end of the war when it surrendered On February 5 1945 General Walter Botsch took over command of the division 1 On March 6 1945 when Botsch was ordered to take command of the LIIIrd Army Corps the 18 VGD division was absorbed into the 26 VGD led by Heinz Kokott Heinrich Himmler s brother in law Knights Cross Holders editWilhelm Drueke December 30 1944 Gunther Rennhack December 30 1944 Friedrich Hadenfeldt March 17 1945Notes edit a b Axis History FactbookReferences edit 18 Volksgrenadier Division Axis History Factbook 21 December 2021 Retrieved 2009 01 08 nbsp This German World War II article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 18th Volksgrenadier Division amp oldid 1205315758, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
