7th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)

Not to be confused with 7th Panzer Division (Bundeswehr).

German 7th Panzer Division
Unit insignia
Active	18 October 1939 – 8 May 1945
Country	Germany
Allegiance	Wehrmacht
Branch	Heer
Type	Panzer
Role	Armoured warfare
Size	Division
Nickname(s)	"Gespensterdivision"
Engagements	World War II
Commanders
Notable commanders	Georg Stumme Erwin Rommel Hans Freiherr von Funck Hasso von Manteuffel
Insignia
1940
1941–1945
at Kursk

The 7th Panzer Division was an elite armored formation of the German Army in the Second World War. It participated in the Battle of France, the invasion of the Soviet Union, the occupation of Vichy France, and on the Eastern Front till the end of the war.

The division met with great success in France in 1940, and then again in the Soviet Union in 1941. In May 1942, the division was withdrawn from the Soviet Union and sent back to France to replace losses and refit. It returned to southern Russia following the defeat at Stalingrad, and helped to check a general collapse of the front in a series of defensive battles as part of Army Group Don, and participated in General Erich von Manstein's counter stroke at Kharkov. The division fought in the unsuccessful offensive at Kursk in the summer of 1943, suffering heavy losses in men and equipment and was further degraded in the subsequent Soviet counteroffensive.

Through 1944 and 1945, the division was markedly understrength and continuously engaged in a series of defensive battles across the eastern front. It was twice evacuated by sea, leaving what was left of its heavy equipment behind each time. After fighting defensively across Prussia and northern Germany, the surviving men escaped into the forest and surrendered to the British army northwest of Berlin in May 1945.

Creation of the division

Rommel reviews position with staff

Following the completion of the invasion of Poland, the limited effectiveness of the light divisions caused the German High Command to order the reorganization of the four light divisions into full panzer divisions. In October 1939, the 2nd Light Division became the 7th Panzer Division. The reconnaissance regiment from the 2nd Light Division was split into two parts, forming the new 37th Reconnaissance Battalion and the 7th Motorcycle Battalion. The 25th Panzer Regiment with its 2 panzer battalions was added to give the division more striking power. With the division's 66th Panzer Battalion, the total armoured strength rose to 3 battalions. The division also possessed two regiments of motorized infantry, an artillery regiment of three battalions with twelve guns each, an anti-tank battalion and a pioneer battalion.

The new commander of the division was Erwin Rommel. A highly decorated infantry officer from the First World War, he had been chosen by Hitler to command his personal guard unit. Such duties were not to his liking during a time of war. Although Rommel had no training or practical experience in tank warfare, he had witnessed the effects of the panzer forces with Hitler in Poland. Their speed and mobility had appealed to him, and were well suited to his own aggressive style. He prevailed upon the Führer to transfer him to a command in the new panzerwaffe. On 15 February 1940, Rommel received his request and was given command of the 7th Panzer Division.

Combat history

France

An eight-wheeled Sd.Kfz 232 in the Ardennes, May 1940

Reaching the Meuse

On 10 May 1940, the Germans invaded Belgium, with von Bock's Army Group B moving into northern Belgium while von Runstedt's Army Group A with seven panzer divisions drove the hammer blow by coming through the rugged Ardennes forest. The French and British responded by moving their forces into Belgium as well. General Hermann Hoth's XV Army Corps, comprising the 5th and 7th Panzer Divisions and the 32nd Infantry Division formed the right wing of the Ardennes offensive and was intended to protect the northern flank from counterattack from the strong allied forces moving into Belgium. By 13 May, the 7th Panzer Division had reached the River Meuse near the Walloon municipality of Dinant. There, the attack into France briefly stalled due to destroyed bridges and determined artillery and rifle fire from the Belgian defenders across the river. Present with the forward units, Rommel brought up tanks and flak units to provide suppressive counter-fire. Several houses nearby were ordered set afire to improvise a smoke screen. Under cover of the smoke, infantry were sent across the river in rubber boats. Rommel appropriated bridging materiel from 5th Panzer Division and aided the engineers in lashing together the borrowed pontoons to construct a light bridge. With the Meuse crossed, the division moved out of the Ardennes and into France, with Rommel moving among his forces, pressing forward their advance.

Battles of Arras and Lille

25th Panzer Regiment commander Karl Rothenburg, second from left, and division commander Erwin Rommel during the campaign for France, June 1940.

On 20 May, the 7th Panzer Division reached Arras. Here the Division attempted to cut off the British Expeditionary Force from the coast. Hans von Luck, commanding the reconnaissance battalion of the Division, was tasked with forcing a crossing over the La Bassée canals near the city.

Supported by Stuka dive bombers, the unit managed to cross. The following day, the British launched a counterattack using two columns of infantry supported by the heavily armored Matilda Mk I and Matilda II tanks in the Battle of Arras. The standard German 37 mm anti-tank gun proved ineffective against the armour of the Matildas. A battery of 105 mm howitzers stopped the first column. The second approached within 1,000 metres of where Rommel was attempting to rally his division. All weapons were used in a desperate attempt to stop the British attacks, as well as artillery pieces, a battery of 88 mm anti-aircraft guns against the attackers. As the losses in the tank force mounted, the attack was broken off.

After Arras, Hitler ordered his forces to hold their positions and the 7th Panzer Division was afforded a few days of much-needed rest. On 26 May, 7th Panzer Division finally renewed its advance, reaching Lille the next day. Combining the 5th and 7th Panzer divisions under Rommel's command, General Hoth ordered him to push into the city. By the evening of the 28th, remnants of the 1st French Army were surrounded in the city, and surrendered two days later.

Drive for the English Channel

Resuming the advance on 5 June, the division drove for the River Seine to secure the bridges near Rouen. Advancing 100 kilometres (62 mi) in two days, it reached Rouen only to find the bridges destroyed. On 10 June, the 7th Panzer Division was the first German unit to reach the channel near Dieppe, Rommel sending his "Am at coast" signal to the German HQ and linking up with fellow Panzer commander Heinz Guderian.

On 15 June, 7th Panzer started advancing on Cherbourg. On 17 June, the Division advanced 35 kilometres (22 mi), capturing the town on the following day. The Division then proceeded towards Bordeaux but stopped when the armistice was signed on 21 June. In July, the Division was stationed in an area northeast of Chartres, south of Paris, to start preparations for Unternehmen Seelöwe (Operation Sea Lion), the planned invasion of Britain.

"Ghost Division"

The 7th Panzer Division moved with great speed through France and covered vast distances. During the Battle of France, the 7th Panzer Division earned the name of the Ghost Division (German:"Gespensterdivision") because its rapid movements led to few knowing exactly where the division was, including the German High Command. Rommel took the Panzerwaffe's "lead from the front" concept to heart. The small unit leadership and daring he displayed in the First World War translated well to the command of a panzer force, especially since Guderian had set up the communication system of the panzer divisions to allow command and control from any unit in the division. Rommel was able to drive the pace of operations of the Division, be present where ever the crucial point might be, and found protection for his forces in the speed of his operations. The commanders of the German panzer forces were able to operate much faster than what a commander issuing orders from his headquarters could achieve. He believed that the best place for a commander was near the point of action. In addition, he would sometimes deliberately 'lose' communications with the High Command if he felt it necessary. His fearless command of the 7th Panzer Division showed his confidence and understanding of blitzkrieg concepts. The success they experienced and his favor with Hitler prevented any repercussions from the High Command, some of whom criticized Rommel for being difficult to contact and locate. Rommel described the French Campaign in his letters to his wife as "a lightning Tour de France".

Timeline - 7th Panzer Division in Belgium and France

• 10 May 1940 - Fall Gelb, the invasion of France, is launched. 7th Panzer advances through the Ardennes.
• 12 May 1940 - 7th Panzer Division reaches Dinant on the Meuse.
• 13 May 1940 - Crosses River Meuse after heavy fighting.
• 15 May 1940 - Reaches Philippeville and continues Westward passing Avesnes and Le Cateau.
• 21 May 1940 - Reaches Arras where counterattacked by two British Tank Regiments. British tank advance stopped by 105 mm Howitzers, light anti-aircraft weapons and finally a battery of Flak 88 anti-aircraft weapons.
• 5 June 1940 - Positioned near Abbeville.
• 8 June 1940 - Reaches outskirts of Rouen.
• 10 June 1940 - Reaches English Channel West of Dieppe.
• 17 June 1940 - Reaches Southern outskirts of Cherbourg.
• 19 June 1940 - Garrison of Cherbourg surrenders to Rommel.
• 25 June 1940 - Fighting ends for 7th Panzer Division in France.

Following the end of the campaign, the division remained in the Somme area of northern France while the Battle of Britain was fought. In February, it was placed in reserve and returned to Germany. General Hans von Funck took over command of the Division. The unit was stationed near Bonn while preparations were being made for an invasion of the Soviet Union. For reasons of deception and security, it remained in Bonn up until 8 June 1941, when the division was loaded onto 64 trains and transported by rail to the eastern frontier. The Division assembled in East Prussia southeast of Lötzen in preparation for the invasion of the Soviet Union.

Eastern Front - June 1941 to May 1942

Operation Barbarossa began in the early morning hours of 22 June, at 0305. Resistance at the border was weaker than expected and brushed aside, the tanks of the Division raced forward, covering the 60 km to reach the Neman River at Olita (Alytus) by midday. The Soviet 5th Tank Division stationed on the east bank of river at Alytus was completely taken by surprise, and the Germans were able to capture two bridges and establish bridgeheads across the river. Shortly thereafter the Soviets initiated a series of fierce counter-attacks, bringing the German advance to an abrupt halt.

A Panzer 38t in Russia, 1941

The Soviet unit was well equipped with 300 tanks, of which 55 were of the new T-34 and KV-1 types. Firing from hull down positions on the reverse slopes of hillsides, they caused the panzer forces their first combat losses. Reinforced in the afternoon by tanks from 20th Panzer Division's 21st panzer regiment, General von Funck could fend off probing attacks from the Red Army tanks and pressure the east bank, but decided to delay further advance until his supplies caught up with him.

Having lost 80 of its tanks in its probing attacks against the bridgeheads, the 5th Tank division withdrew in the night to the north-east. The path now clear, the 7th Panzer Division advanced another 100 km to the outskirts of Vilnius. Its motorcycle battalion captured the city the following day. Consolidating its position in and around Vilnius, the Division then handed responsibility for the city over to the 20th Motorized Division and resumed its advance east. Unlike previous campaigns, when the Red Army positions were outflanked and cut off the Soviet defenders frequently continued to fight rather than surrender, even though their situation was hopeless. The stubbornness of the Soviet defenders cost greater time and casualties, frustrating the German command. Though creating pockets of resistance, the Soviet command was unable to mount a linear defense, and the vital road and rail communications north east of Minsk were cut on 26 June, only four days into operation Barbarossa. The following day, the division linked up with 18th Panzer division from Panzer Group 2, trapping the bulk of three Soviet Armies, the 3rd, 10th and 13th, in a vast pocket west of Minsk.

Campaign map used by reconnaissance battalion commander Hans von Luck of the 7th Panzer during approach north of Moscow

In a three-day dash, the division reached the town of Yartsevo, outflanking Soviet positions around Smolensk and threatening the Soviet 20th Army with encirclement. Meanwhile, the 29th Motorized division had captured the city of Smolensk from the south, but with substantial elements tied down at Enlya, 2nd Panzer group lacked the strength to link up again with 7th Panzer positions. The gap between the two groups remained open, and the Soviet command was able to move forces both ways through the corridor. On 26 July, together with 20th Motorized division, the 7th Panzer division lunged southwards another 20 kilometers but still could not entirely close the encirclement. In another week, however, pressure from all sides had squeezed the pocket out of existence and the division was finally relieved by infantry units, and taken out of line for refitting and rest.

At the farthest point of the offensive, units of 7th Panzer Division crossed the Moscow-Volga Canal to the north of Moscow, and held a bridgehead across the canal for about a month, before having to withdraw with the onset of winter.

The 7th Panzer Division started the campaign with 400 officers and 14,000 men. By January 1942, six months from the start of the offensive, the division had suffered 2,055 killed, 5,737 wounded, with 313 missing and another 1,089 sick with frostbite and louse bound diseases. Total casualties were 9,203.

In late winter the division took up positions along a defensive line running Yukhnov-Gzhatsk-Zubtsov. On 15 March, it was pulled out to engage in fierce fighting against a series of Soviet counteroffensives in battles fought near Rzhev. By 4 April the division was moved to Vyazma.

Timeline - 7th Panzer Division in Operation Barbarossa

• 22 June 1941 - Operation Barbarossa begins, 7th Panzer advances to the River Neman and defeats the Soviet 5th Tank Division.
• 27 June 1941 - Closes the pocket at Minsk trapping 3 Soviet Armies
• 10 July 1941 - Defeats the counter strike by Soviet 7th Mechanised Corps at Vitebsk
• 27 July 1941 - Comes close to closing another pocket at Smolensk.
• 6 August 1941 - Relieved by infantry, withdrawn to rest and refit.
• 21 August 1941 - Counter attack penetration in 161st Infantry division sector, but loses heavily in tanks, and attack only partially successful.
• 2 October 1941 - Operation Typhoon begins
• 7 October 1941 - Closes the pocket at Viazma, trapping hundreds of thousands of Soviet troops.
• 8 October 1941 - Autumn rains begin, terrible road conditions slow the advance towards Moscow
• 28 November 1941 - Reaches Moscow Volga Canal at Yakhroma, 65 km north of Moscow

By May 1942, the division was at a strength of 8,589 men and officers, most of whom had not been with the unit at the start of the campaign. As a result, the division was withdrawn to rest and refit in southern France. In mid-May the division was transported by rail to western France to the region between Nantes and Bordeaux.

France - May 1942 to Feb 1943

In southern France, the division was assigned to coastal protection duties with the 1st Army. The division commander, Generalmajor Hans Freiherr von Funck, instigated a program of intense training, and the division was quickly brought up to full strength in manpower, but equipment was slower to arrive. Even though the division was to be ready for 1 September, the II/Panzer Regiment 25 was temporarily equipped with French tanks. However, new equipment was issued, including 35 Pz III(J)s, 14 Pz III(N)s and 30 Pz IV(G)s, and the division's two Rifle Regiments were re-designated Panzer-grenadier regiments.

The division's motorized pioneer unit drives along the warf in Port-Vendres

Hitler had been concerned of an Allied invasion of the continent. Following the 8 November Allied landings in West and North Africa, his anxiety rose greatly. On 11 November, the Division was sent to enter previously unoccupied France to reach the Mediterranean coast between Perpignan and Narbonne. Assembling in a staging area around Aix-en-Provence, the Division prepared for Operation Lila, the seizure of the large French fleet at the naval port of Toulon. Hitler was very concerned that these warships would fall into Allied hands.

The crew of a Panzer IV watch a burning French warship, probably the cruiser Colbert.

For the mission the division was augmented with units from other divisions, including two armoured groups and a motorcycle battalion from the 2nd SS Panzer Division and a marine detachment called Gumprich after its commander. Marine Detachment Gumprich was assigned the mission of seizing the French ships before they could sail or be scuttled. The combat groups entered Toulon at 04:00 on 27 November 1942 and made for the harbor. Units coming from the east captured Fort Lamalgue, the headquarters of Admiral Marquis, and the Mourillon arsenal. A second group came in from the west, capturing the main arsenal and the coastal defences. However, as the German forces were attempting to gain control of the vessels the French navy scuttled nearly all of their fleet.

After the mission was completed, the Division was stationed in a region between Marseille and Avignon. It remained there until January 1943, when the deterioration of the German front in southern Russia necessitated its return to the Eastern Front.

Eastern Front - Feb 1943 to July 1944

On transfer to Army Group South, the division fought to stem the Soviet effort to cut off the 1st Panzer Army in the Caucasus. The division checked the Soviet advance on Rostov, maintaining an avenue of escape for the 1st Panzer Army. It continued in actions along the Don and Donetz river lines, and in the Third Battle of Kharkov.

Adelbert Schulz, commander of 25 Panzer Regiment, the main striking force of the 7th Panzer Division, speaks with an officer near a Panzer III just before the Battle of Kursk

In the summer of 1943, the division took part in the offensive at Kursk, serving as part of the armoured formations of Army Detachment Kempf as they attempted to screen the eastern flank of the southern German pincer. The division suffered heavy casualties in this battle, and by the end of the battle 7th Panzer was down to 15 tanks and had an infantry combat strength equivalent to three battalions.

Following the end of the German offensive at Kursk, the division was transferred to the XLVIII Panzer Corps. On 20 August 1943, Generalmajor Hasso von Manteuffel took command of the division. The Soviet Steppe front launched a massive attack spearheaded by two tank armies on 3 August 1943.

The German front west of Belgorod was pierced and forced back. The 7th Panzer division, attached to the 4th Panzer Army, gradually gave way battling against the Soviet 40th Army. The division was relieved at the front, enabling it to form a shock group with the Großdeutschland division, which would drive into the Soviet flank and join with reinforcements arriving in the Kharkov region, and blunt the Soviet advance. The counterstroke was led by Großdeutschland, with the 7th Panzer, operating with its 23 remaining operational tanks, covering the left flank. By nightfall, the attackers had driven 24 kilometers into the Red Army flank and isolated the forward elements of the Soviet offensive. Success was short lived, however, as further Soviet reinforcements advancing behind the lead elements confronted the German counterattack and reduced the combat effectiveness of the Wehrmacht formations. With this Army Group South withdrew to the line of the Dnieper.

Personnel Loses in August for the 7th Panzer division were even higher than in July. The replacement battalion was disbanded as all capable leaders were needed at the front. Losses in heavy infantry weapons and motor vehicles reduced the division's combat value. Remaining operational tanks were amalgamated into a single company. The battered division withdrew to the Dnepr position, crossing the river at Kremenchug.

The Division then fought in the defensive Battle of Kiev and the German counterattack at Zhitomir. During these battles the division was twice cited for distinguished conduct. After this the Division fought in a series of heavy defensive battles during the long retreat across the Ukraine.

Courland - July 1944 to November 1944

In July 1944, the division was transferred north to the Baltic states and the northern area of Army Group Center in response to the Soviet Baltic Offensive. The division participated in defensive fighting in Lithuania. Late in the summer the 1st Baltic Front attempted to reach the Baltic sea through the Third Panzer Army. On 21 September, the division moved more than 100 km north to an area east of Memel where there was heavy fighting. The German forces were forced to fall back during the follow-up Memel Offensive, to a defensive perimeter around the coastal town of Memel. With the Memel bridgehead isolated, the Division was relieved by an infantry division and was loaded onto ships and transported by sea out of the pocket, leaving its heavy equipment behind with the German forces still holding. On 7 November 1944, the remainder of the division was gathered at the training area Aryes in East Prussia and the division was partially reorganized. Here it formed a reserve for the 2nd Army of Army Group Center.

Germany - November 1944 to May 1945

7th Panzer Division commander Karl Mauss at Gdynia

In January, the Soviet 2nd Belorussian Front mounted a massive attack and broke through the defenses of the 2nd Army, which was forced back north and west. The kampfgruppe of the 7th Panzer fought a rearguard action through north Poland at Elbing and to the east of Graudenz. The Division crossed the Vistula and then continued in defensive battles for and around Konitz. In mid-February 1945, the Division was pushed back into northern Pomerania. In March 1945 the division was fighting a delaying action at Gdynia, north and west of Danzig. On 19 April 1945, the surviving men were again taken off by sea, evacuating from the Hel Peninsula. Only a small remnant of the Division came back from the Hel Peninsula. This remnant assembled at the Baltic Sea island of Usedom in western Pomerania and retreated west through Prussia until finally surrendering to the British Army at Schwerin north and west of Berlin in May 1945.

Organization / Order of Battle

May 1940

• 25th Panzer Regiment (I & II Battalions), under command of Colonel Karl Rothenburg
• 66th Panzer Battalion, under command of Major Rudolf Sieckenius
• 6th Motorized Rifle Regiment (I & II Battalions), under command of Colonel Erich von Unger
• 7th Motorized Rifle Regiment (I & II Battalions), under command of Colonel Georg von Bismarck
• 37th Reconnaissance Battalion, under command of Major Erdmann (KIA 28 May)
• 7th Motorcycle Battalion, under command of Major Friedrich-Carl von Steinkeller
• 78th Motorized Artillery Regiment (I & II Battalions), under command of Colonel Frölich
• 42nd Antitank Battalion, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Johann Mickl
• 58th Combat Engineer Battalion, Motorized, under command of Major Binkau (KIA 13 May)
• 59th Light Anti-aircraft Detachment, under command of Major Schrader

Equipment

Panzer 38(t) used by the 7th Panzer division on display in the Munster tank Museum. These Czech built light tanks were the main combat vehicle of the division's panzer regiment from 1940 through 1941. Notice that the "ghost" decal to the right of the division insignia resembles the division emblem of the 11th Panzer division.

The divisional artillery consisted at this time of 24 towed 105 mm LeFH (Light field howitzers). The divisional Anti-tank battalion and the Infantry Anti tank platoons all contained towed 37mm PAK 36. The infantry all traveled by truck or by motorcycle. Both Panzer Regiment 25, and Panzer battalion 66 had gone into action in Poland with only Pz I and Pz II light tanks. On assignment to 7th Panzer division, these units were to adopt the Czech 38t in their organization as the main battle tank in their light companies, along with the Pz IV in the medium companies. However, this process was not complete by the start of the battle with France and the division went into action in May 1940 with 225 tanks (34 Pz I, 68 Pz II, 91 Pz 38t, 24 Pz IV and 8 command variants).

July 1941

• 25 Panzer Regiment (I, II & III Battalions)
• 7th Infantry Brigade
  • 6 Motorized Rifle Regiment (I & II Battalions)
  • 7 Motorized Rifle Regiment (I & II Battalions)
  • 7 Motorcycle Battalion
• 37 Reconnaissance Battalion
• 78 Motorized Artillery Regiment (I, II & III Battalions)
• 58 Motorized Combat Engineer Battalion
• 42 Antitank Battalion
• 58 Field replacement battalion
• Divisional services

The 25th Panzer Regiment had absorbed the 66th Panzer Battalion, which had been the panzer force of the original 2nd Light Division. By 1941, this unit had become the 3rd Battalion of the 25th Panzer Regiment. On the eve of operation Barbarossa, the tank strength of the division had risen to 53 Pz II, 167 Pz 38t, 30 Pz IV & 15 French Char B, for a total of 265 tanks. The artillery regiment had added a 3rd battalion of heavy guns, with 2 batteries of 150 mm sFH, and 1 battery of 100 mm guns.

Each panzer battalion comprised 4 companies instead of 3, and a 3rd company had been added to the antitank battalion. A field replacement battalion of 3 companies had also been added. The division totaled 400 officers leading 14,000 men at the start of the Russian campaign.

June 1943

A Sd.Kfz. 251 of the 7th Panzer in southern France, November 1942

In May 1942, the division was withdrawn from the Soviet Union and rebuilt and reorganized in France. The Panzer Regiment now consisted of 2 battalions equipped with German tanks. The infantry regiments were now renamed Panzer Grenadiers, with II / Panzer Grenadier Regiment 6 equipped with armored half trucks. The motorcycle battalion was merged into the reconnaissance Battalion and contained an armored car company, a half track company, 2 motorcycle companies and a heavy company.

On its return to Russia in December 1942, the Panzer Regiment was now equipped with 21 Pz II, 91 Pz III (50mm long), 14 Pz III (75mm), 2 Pz IV (75mm), 18 Pz IV (75mm long), 9 Befehl (command), a total of 155 tanks.

• 25 Panzer Regiment (I, II Battalions)
• 6 Panzer Grenadier Regiment (I & II Battalions, I Battalion Armored)
• 7 Panzer Grenadier Regiment (I & II Battalions)
• 7 Reconnaissance Battalion
• 78 Motorized Artillery Regiment (I, II & III Battalions)
• 58 Armoured Combat Engineer Battalion
• 42 Antitank Battalion
• 296 Anti-aircraft Battalion (attached Army troops)
• 58 Field replacement battalion
• Divisional services

Commanding officers

Hasso von Manteuffel's success during his time as commander of the 7th Panzer Division brought him to the attention of Adolf Hitler

• Generalmajor Georg Stumme (18 October 1939 – 5 February 1940)
• Generalmajor Erwin Rommel (5 February 1940 – 14 February 1941)
• Generalmajor Hans Freiherr von Funck (15 February 1941 – 17 August 1943)
• Oberst Wolfgang Gläsemer (17 August 1943 – 20 August 1943)
• Generalmajor Hasso von Manteuffel (20 August 1943 – 1 January 1944)
• Generalmajor Adelbert Schulz (1 January 1944 – 28 January 1944)
• Oberst Wolfgang Gläsemer (28 January 1944 – 30 January 1944)
• Generalmajor Dr. Karl Mauss (30 January 1944 – 2 May 1944)
• Generalmajor Gerhard Schmidhuber (2 May 1944 – 9 September 1944)
• Generalmajor Dr. Karl Mauss (9 September 1944 – 31 October 1944)
• Generalmajor Hellmuth Mäder (31 October 1944 – 30 November 1944)
• Generalmajor Dr. Karl Mauss (30 November 1944 – 5 January 1945)
• Generalmajor Max Lemke (5 January 1945 – 23 January 1945)
• Generalmajor Dr. Karl Mauss (23 January 1945 – 25 March 1945)
• Oberst Hans Christern (26 March 1945 – 8 May 1945)

War Crimes

During the fighting in France, the division, alongside troops from 5th Panzer division, committed numerous atrocities against colonial French troops including the mass murder of 50 surrendering Non-commissioned officers and men at Quesnoy and Airaines The division is also considered by Raffael Scheck to be responsible for the execution of PoW's in Hangest-sur-Somme, but were too far away to be involved in the massacre at Aiains.

References

Bibliography

• War Office German order of battle, 1944 : the regiments, formations and units of the German ground forces London : Arms & Armour Press; New York : Hippocrene Books, (1975).