18th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)

April 2026 May 2020 18th Infantry Division18th (Motorized) Infantry Division18th Panzergrenadier Division 18. Infanterie-Division18. (mot.) Infanterie-Division18. Panzergrenadier-Division 18th Infanterie Division Logo 2.svg 100 1 October 1934 – 8 May 1945 Nazi Germany Army Infantry Motorized Infantry Division Liegnitz World War II Invasion of Poland Battle of France Eastern Front Battle of Berlin The 18th Infantry Division (de 18. Infanterie-Division) was formed on 1 October 1934 as Infantry Command III (Infanterieführer III) in Liegnitz and renamed the 18th Infantry Division on 15 October 1935. Mobilized in August 1939, it participated in the Invasion of Poland and in 1940 in the Battle of France. After the French campaign, the division was motorized and redesignated 18th Motorized Infantry Division on 1 November 1940 serving on the Eastern Front for the remainder of the war. In June 1943, the division was redesignated 18th Panzergrenadier Division. 18th Infantry Division German 18th Infantry Division18. Infanterie-Division 15 October 1935 – 1 November 1940 Wehrkreis VIII Infantry Regiment 30Infantry Regiment 51Infantry Regiment 54Divisional units 18 From September 1939 until May 1940 the division fought in Invasion of Poland and then made up part of the occupation force. From May 1940 until November 1940 the division fought in the Battle of France and then made up part of the occupation force when it was redesignated 18th Motorised Infantry Division. 18th Motorized Infantry Division German 18th Motorized Infantry Division18. Infanterie-Division (mot.) 1 November 1940 – 23 June 1943 Wehrkreis VIII Motorized Infantry Regiment 30Motorized Infantry Regiment 51Motorcycle Battalion 38Divisional units 18 Formed 1 November 1940 Part of the occupation force in France from November 1940 until June 1941. Fought on the Eastern Front, central sector from June 1941 until January 1942. Fought on the Eastern front, northern sector from January 1942 until June 1943 when it was redesignated 18th Panzergrenadier Division. 18th Panzergrenadier Division German 18th Panzergrenadier Division18. Panzergrenadier Division 23 June 1943 – 8 May 1945 Wehrkreis VIII Grenadier Regiment 30Grenadier Regiment 51Panzer Battalion 118 Armored Reconnaissance Battalion 118Divisional units 18 Formed on 23 June 1943. Fought on the Eastern front, northern sector from June 1943 until October 1943. Fought on the Eastern front, central sector from October 1943 until September 1944. It was devastated in the Soviet 1944 summer offensive. The remnants of the division fought in Eastern Prussia and in the Battle of Berlin. The survivors tried to fight their way out of Berlin on 2 May 1945 when Berlin surrendered to the Soviets. Commanding officers 18. Infanterie-Division Generalleutnant Hermann Hoth, 1 October 1934 – 1 April 1938 Generalleutnant Erich von Manstein, 1 April 1938 – 26 August 1939 Generalleutnant Friedrich-Carl Cranz, 26 August 1939 – 1 November 1940 18. Infanterie-Division (mot.) Generalleutnant Friedrich-Carl Cranz, 1 November 1940 – 24 March 1941 General der Infanterie Friedrich Herrlein, 24 March – 15 December 1941 General der Infanterie Werner von Erdmannsdorff, 15 December 1941 – 23 June 1943 18. Panzergrenadier-Division General der Infanterie Werner von Erdmannsdorff, 23 June 1943 – 9 August 1943 Generalleutnant Karl Zutavern, 9 August 1943 – 14 April 1944 General der Artillerie Curt Jahn, 14 April 1944 – 24 May 1944 Generalleutnant Karl Zutavern, 24 May 1944 – 6 July 1944 Generalleutnant Dr. Hans Boelsen, 6 July 1944 – 1 January 1945 Generalmajor Josef Rauch, 1 January – 8 May 1945 References Burkhard Müller-Hillebrand Das Heer 1933–1945. Entwicklung des organisatorischen Aufbaues III: Der Zweifrontenkrieg. Das Heer vom Beginn des Feldzuges gegen die Sowjetunion bis zum Kriegsende Mittler Frankfurt am Main 1969 286 de Georg Tessin Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg, 1939–1945 IV: Die Landstreitkräfte 15–30 Mittler Frankfurt am Main 1970 de 0*018 Category:Military units and formations established in 1934 Category:1934 establishments in Germany Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945