164th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)

Division June 2017 164th Infantry Division 164. Infanterie-Division 164th Infanterie-Division Logo.jpg 75px Divisional insignia November 1939 – May 1943 Nazi Germany Army Infantry Desert warfare Division 164th Infantry DivisionMitcham 2007a 254–255 January 1940 Wehrkreis IV 382nd Infantry Regiment433rd Infantry Regiment440th Infantry Regiment220th Artillery Regiment220th Panzerjäger Battalion220th Reconnaissance Battalion220th Signals Battalion220th Pioneer Battalion The 164th Infantry Division (de 164. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Army during World War II. Formed in November 1939, the division took part in the invasion of Greece in April 1941. In January 1942, consolidating the Axis seizure of the island during the Battle of Crete, the 164th was reorganized as Fortress Division Kreta (FDK). In mid-1942 the division was transferred to North Africa and re-designated as 164th Light Africa Division (de Leichte Afrika Division), also alternatively spelt 164th Light Afrika Division in some anglophone literature. It surrendered in May 1943 in Tunisia at the end of the North African Campaign. Operational history The 164th Infantry Division was formed on 27 November 1939 with OberstThe rank of oberst is equivalent to that of colonel in the United States Army.Mitcham 2007b 197 Note Konrad Haase as its commander. Stationed at Dresden, Wehrkreis IV, by January 1940, it included three infantry regimentsMitcham 2007a 255 and Haase had been promoted to generalmajorThe rank of generalmajor is equivalent to that of brigadier general in the United States Army.Mitcham 2007b 197 Note on 1 January 1940.Mitcham 2007a 256 It was held in reserve during the Battle of France and was later involved in the invasion of Greece in April 1941. After the end of the campaign, it was stationed in Salonika on occupation duty. During this time, one of its infantry regiments was detached to serve on the Greek island of Rhodes.Mitcham 2007a 255 In early 1942, the division was moved to the island of Crete and organised as Fortress Division Kreta. Reinforced with the experienced 125th Infantry Regiment, it remained here until mid-1942 at which time it was transferred to North Africa to serve with the Panzer Armee Afrika. It was now designated as the 164th Light Afrika Division; each of its regiments only had two battalions. The division fought at El Alamein and performed well. During the battle, one of its regiments was instrumental in preventing the capture of the headquarters of Panzer Armee Afrika by advancing Allied infantry. Along with the remainder of the Axis forces, the division gradually retreated into Tunisia.Mitcham 2007a 255 It spent the final stages of the campaign in Tunisia fighting against Free French troopsStevens 1962 365 as part of the 1st Italian Army. Liebenstein, the division's final commander, surrendered to Lieutenant General Bernard Freyberg, commander of the 2nd New Zealand Division.Stevens 1962 367–368 Commanding officers thumb|right|Generalmajor Kurt von Liebenstein (right) with Lieutenant General Bernard Freyberg (left), commander of the 2nd New Zealand Division, and Brigadier Graham after the surrender of Axis forces in Tunisia The following officers commanded the 164th Infantry Division during the course of World War II:Mitcham 2007a 255–256 Generalmajor Konrad Haase, 1 December 1939 – 9 January 1940; GeneralleutnantThe rank of generalleutnant is equivalent to that of major general in the United States Army.Mitcham 2007b 197 Note Josef Folttmann, 10 January 1940 – 9 August 1942; Generalmajor Carl-Hans Lungershausen, 10 August – 30 November 1942; 30 December 1942 – 14 January 1943; Oberst Siegfried Westphal, 1–29 December 1942; Generalmajor Kurt Freiherr von Liebenstein, 15 – 16 January 1943; 13 March – 12 May 1943; Oberst Becker, 16 January – 16 February 1943; Generalmajor Fritz Krause, 17 February – 12 March 1943. See also Fortress Crete Notes Footnotes Note Citations 3 References Mitcham Samuel W. Jr. Samuel W. Mitcham German Order of Battle, Volume Two: 291st–999th Infantry Divisions, Named Infantry Divisions, and Special Divisions in WWII 2007a Mechanicsburg, PA, United States Stackpole Books 978-0-8117-3437-0 Mitcham Samuel W. Samuel W. Mitcham German Order of Battle, Volume Three: Panzer, Panzer Grenadier, and Waffen SS Divisions in WWII 2007b Mechanicsburg, PA, United States Stackpole Books 978-0-8117-3438-7 Stevens W. G. William George Stevens Bardia to Enfidaville Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–45 1962 http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Bard.html Historical Publications Branch Wellington, New Zealand 480346601 Category:German units in Africa Category:Military units and formations established in 1939 Category:Crete in World War II Category:Infantry divisions of Germany during World War II Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1943 Category:1942 establishments in Germany