The 18th Infantry Division (
German: 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 Division 18. Infanterie-Division (15 October 1935 – 1 November 1940)
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 Division 18. Infanterie-Division (mot.) (1 November 1940 – 23 June 1943)
Grenadier Regiment 30 Grenadier Regiment 51 Panzer Battalion 118 Armored Reconnaissance Battalion 118 Divisional 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
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
Müller-Hillebrand, Burkhard (1969). Das Heer 1933–1945. Entwicklung des organisatorischen Aufbaues (in German). Vol. III: Der Zweifrontenkrieg. Das Heer vom Beginn des Feldzuges gegen die Sowjetunion bis zum Kriegsende. Frankfurt am Main: Mittler. p. 286.
Tessin, Georg (1970). Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg, 1939–1945 (in German). Vol. IV: Die Landstreitkräfte 15–30. Frankfurt am Main: Mittler.