Post by Otto Verkaufer on Aug 27, 2014 23:54:29 GMT -6
HISTORY OF THE UNIT TO INCLUDE CAMPAIGNS, AWARDS, AND DISTINCTIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORIGINAL UNIT DURING 1939-45 WITH REFERENCES THAT INCLUDE AUTHOR, TITLE, PUBLISHER, AND PAGES AS CITED.
References:
a 3.Infanterie-Division - Gerhard Dieckhoff & M. Holzmann
b 3. Infanterie Division (MOT), 3. Panzergrenadier Division 1939-1945 - Gerhard Dieckhoff
c Infanterie gestern und heute: 3. Infanterie Division (MOT) Bildband - Gerhard Dieckhoff & M. Holzmann
d The Wehrmacht, W.W. II Data Book 1935-1945 - Michael E. Haskew
e German Panzer Divisions 1940-1945 - George Parada
HISTORY OF THE 3.INFANTERIE-DIVISON - ABBREVIATED
Our regiments and battalions partially date back to the time of the Freiheitskriege. In 1813 and 1870 in Kampf gegen die Franzosen, and in Ersten Weltkrieg against a world of enemies, the regiments achieved great deeds. Those deeds, which were achieved in this Weltkrieg II- mostly by you, Soldaten- are by no means less than those of the first Weltkrieg.
The many sacrifices that were laid down, the honor, with which the division covered its Standarte, oblige us, even the many that came from many districts, from Strassburg or Litzmannstadt, from Hamburg or Vienna, and today have firmly grown into the Gemeinschaft of the Division; these deeds oblige us to the utmost force and endeavor for the upcoming Kampf.
The name "Kreuz und Quer" became a name of honor for our Division in the Russlandfeldzug; it recalls our Divisionszeichen and the fact that our division marched kreuz und quer through Russland, (NOTE: in this sense kreuz und quer means "hither and thither") only to always be put in the hot spots: In 1941 gegen Petersburg und Moskau, 1942 gegen Voronezh und Stalingrad. This, our Divisionszeichen, with its 3 lines reminding us of our number, was given to us before the Russlandfeldzug. Under this Abzeichen fought all those who protected Deutschland from the Todfeind - Bolshevism- with their blood.
*Taken from the official history of the 3.Infanterie-Divison – the first issue of the divisional newsletter "Brandenburger Kreuz und Quer" released Wednesday, August 16, 1944 and written by Hecker, Generalmajor
SUMMATION OF UNIT HISTORY
During the period of OCT 1934 and APR 1945, the 3.Infantrie Division fought on three fronts, i.e, the eastern, western and Italian. During this same period, the division began as a numbered division - was organized first as a regular infanterie division, reorganized into the 3.Infanterie Division (MOT) just prior to Stalingrad; followed by another reorganization as the 3. Panzergrenadier-Division.
Below is a short synopsis of the 11-year history of this division.
Pre-War - The German Army (Heer) numbered division 3.Infanterie-Division was formed in Frankfurt/Oder on 1 Oct 1934 under the cover name Kommandant von Frankfurt/Oder; which was used until 15 Oct 1935.
a. War Years (Early War) 1939 - 1940
Area of Operations
Poland
(Sep 1939 - Oct 1939)
Germany
(Oct 1939 - May 1940)
France
(May 1940 - Oct 1940)
*The 3.Infanterie-Division was subsequently reorganized and redesignated 3. Infanterie-Division (MOT) on 27 Oct 1940.
b. War Years (Early to Mid) 1941 – 1943
Taking part in Operation Barbarossa as part of the attacking German forces, its area of operations covered the following sectors
Area of Operations
Germany - OCT 1940 – JUNE 1941
Eastern Front - Northern Sector JUNE 1941 – DEC 1942
Eastern Front - Central Sector DEC 1941 – JULY 1942
Eastern Front - Southern Sector JULY 1941 – OCT 1942
Stalingrad - NOV 1942 – JAN 1943
*Following the destruction of the 3.Infantrie Division at Stalingrad, in January 1943 the remnants of the division served as the principle cadre for a new, reformed and renamed 3. Panzergrenadier-Division.
c. War Years (Mid- to End) 1943 – 1945
3. Panzergrenadier-Division after its reformation was sent to Italy in June 1943 and fought the allies at Salerno, Casino, and Anzio and during the retreat to Rome; before being withdrawn and sent onwards to France. There, it fought southeast of Paris before retreating to the Saar area. It refitted in Germany from November - December 1944, before fighting in the Ardennes. It was destroyed in the Ruhr pocket April 1945.
Area of Operations
France Mar 1943 – June 1943
Italy June 1943 – Aug 1944
France Aug 1944 – Dec 1944
Western Germany Nov 1944 – Dec 1944
Ardennes, Germany/Ruhr pocket Dec 1944 – Apr 1945 *Destroyed in April 1945
CAMPAIGNS:
a. Polish campaign
When the invasion of Poland was launched, 3.Infanterie-Division was part of II Armee-Korps, 4th Army, Army Group “North”. The 4. Army was to maneuver rapidly through the “Polish Corridor” from Pomerania - in order to reach the 3.Army in East Prussia and isolate Polish troops in the coastal region of Danzig. The sector of attack of 3.Infanterie-Division was made through the Tuchola Forest - which was poorly defended by a Polish Infantry Division and the Cavalry Brigade “Pomorska”. The mission was to break enemy defenses from Seenkette between Nandsburg and Mrotschen, Braha and then cross the river west of Crone, and up the Vistula region of Topolno – Grabowko. The 3.Infanterie-Division then took part in a battle attacking towards Modlin. What followed were security operations to reduce the pocket of Bzura between Woclawek and Wyscogrod, before fighting onward near Plock and moving towards Gostynin, thereby ending the Polish campaign around Lowicz. The division was then transferred to the region of the Eifel, near the German-Luxembourg border.
b. Battle of France
When the invasion of France was launched, 3.Infanterie-Division belonged to Armee-Korps, 12 Army, Army Group “A”. The mission was to attack through both Luxembourg and Belgium to the Meuse - Nouzonville, and eventually securing the area between Évergnicourt and Balham, before moving on to Asfeld Aisne. The Division moved forward towards the center of the channel in the region of Châlons, performing security operations along the line at the end of the campaign. On 27 October 1940, the division is up-graded to a motorized division.
c. Russian campaign
The division took part in the campaign in Russia beginning first in the northern sector of the front, advancing toward Leningrad (Battle of Lake Ilmen), then passing the Lovat and Demiansk sectors. Followed by moving south to support the attack on Moscow, (taking Naro-Fominsk Mozhaysk on the line). What followed was intensive fighting during the first defensive-offensive battles. Thereafter, it was transferred further south in the spring of 1942 to take part in battles in Ukraine and the Don region. The 3.Infanterie-Division (MOT) then moved on orders towards Stalingrad, where it too became surrounded and subsequently destroyed; along with the rest of the 6.Army in early 1943.
The division was then reformed anew in the spring of 1943 in the South of France, as 3.Panzer-Grenadier-Division. Its cadre came from the survivors of both the 3.Infanterie-Division (motorized) and 386 Infanterie-Division (motorized).
d. Italian Campaign
When in Italy it took part in the hard fought battles of Salerno, Casino, the line of “Bernhard” and Anzio, and finally retreating to Rome in May-June 1944.
e. Battle of France
The 3.Panzer-Grenadier-Division was moved to Florence at the end of June 1944, and sent near Paris in August. Attacked hard by the Allies by both land and air, the Division also was a part of the general German Army retreat from France, and the subsequent German operations in and around Nancy.
f. German campaign
The Division fought in the battle at Aix-la-Chapelle in November 1944, before being taken out of the line to participate in the German counter-offensive in the Ardennes in December 1944 and January 1945. Subsequently, it defended the Bridge at Remagen, followed by defense of the Cologne region. It was here, in April 1945, surrounded by the Allies in the Ruhr pocket that it laid down its arms for the first and last time.
TABLE OF ORGANIZATION - Aufklärungs-Abteilung 53, 3.Infanterie-Division (MOT) Actual
1 X Armored Car Company
3 x Motorcycle Company
1 X Heavy Company (mot)
1 X Engineer Platoon
1 X Panzerjäger Platoon
1 X Infantry Support Platoon
1 X Light Armored Car Supply Column
* The Battalion as named above covered the period of NOV 1940 – June 1943. The reconnaissance unit of the division also underwent naming and renaming during the 11 year history of the division as noted in yellow below in table 1.
COMMANDERS OF THE 3.INFANTERIE-DIVISION
Generalmajor Curt Haase (15 October 1935 -7 March 1936)
Generalleutnant Walter Petzel (7 March 1936 – 10 November 1938)
Generalleutnant Walter Lichel (November 10, 1938 – October 1940)
Generalleutnant Paul Bader ( October 1940 – 25 May 1941)
Generalleutnant Curt Jahn (25 May 1941 – April 1942)
Generalmajor Helmuth Schlömer (April 1942 – 17 January 1943)
Jobst Oberst Freiherr von Hanstein (18 January 1943 – February 1943)
Generalmajor Fritz-Hubert Gräser (Spring 1943 – June 1944)
Generalleutnant Hans-Günther von Rost (June 1944 – 25 June 1944)
Generalmajor Hans Hecker (25 June 1944 - 3 October 1944)
Generalmajor Kurt Cuno (October 1944)
Oberst von Emanuel Kiliani (October 1944)
Generalleutnant Walter Denkert (October 1944 – April 1945)
TABLES OF ORGANIZATION (Abbreviated) Table 1
1939
Infanterie-Regiment 8
Infanterie-Regiment 29
Infanterie-Regiment 50
Artillery-Regiment 3
I. Gruppe / Artillerie-Regiment 39 Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3
Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 3
Pionier-Bataillon 3
Nachrichten-Abteilung 3
Beobachtungs-Abteilung 3
Feld-Ersatz-Bataillon 3
November 1940
Infantry-Regiment (motorized) 8
Infantry-Regiment (motorized) 29
Artillery-Regiment (motorized) 3 Aufklärungs-Abteilung (motorized) 53
Kradschützen-Bataillon 53
Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 3
Pioneer-Battalion (motorized) 3
Nachrichten-Abteilung (motorized) 3
July 1943 to April 1945
Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 8
Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 29 Panzer-Abteilung 103 Aufklärungs
Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 3
Artillery-Regiment (motorized) 3
Fliegerabwehr-Abteilung 312 (Group Flak)
References:
a 3.Infanterie-Division - Gerhard Dieckhoff & M. Holzmann
b 3. Infanterie Division (MOT), 3. Panzergrenadier Division 1939-1945 - Gerhard Dieckhoff
c Infanterie gestern und heute: 3. Infanterie Division (MOT) Bildband - Gerhard Dieckhoff & M. Holzmann
d The Wehrmacht, W.W. II Data Book 1935-1945 - Michael E. Haskew
e German Panzer Divisions 1940-1945 - George Parada
HISTORY OF THE 3.INFANTERIE-DIVISON - ABBREVIATED
Our regiments and battalions partially date back to the time of the Freiheitskriege. In 1813 and 1870 in Kampf gegen die Franzosen, and in Ersten Weltkrieg against a world of enemies, the regiments achieved great deeds. Those deeds, which were achieved in this Weltkrieg II- mostly by you, Soldaten- are by no means less than those of the first Weltkrieg.
The many sacrifices that were laid down, the honor, with which the division covered its Standarte, oblige us, even the many that came from many districts, from Strassburg or Litzmannstadt, from Hamburg or Vienna, and today have firmly grown into the Gemeinschaft of the Division; these deeds oblige us to the utmost force and endeavor for the upcoming Kampf.
The name "Kreuz und Quer" became a name of honor for our Division in the Russlandfeldzug; it recalls our Divisionszeichen and the fact that our division marched kreuz und quer through Russland, (NOTE: in this sense kreuz und quer means "hither and thither") only to always be put in the hot spots: In 1941 gegen Petersburg und Moskau, 1942 gegen Voronezh und Stalingrad. This, our Divisionszeichen, with its 3 lines reminding us of our number, was given to us before the Russlandfeldzug. Under this Abzeichen fought all those who protected Deutschland from the Todfeind - Bolshevism- with their blood.
*Taken from the official history of the 3.Infanterie-Divison – the first issue of the divisional newsletter "Brandenburger Kreuz und Quer" released Wednesday, August 16, 1944 and written by Hecker, Generalmajor
SUMMATION OF UNIT HISTORY
During the period of OCT 1934 and APR 1945, the 3.Infantrie Division fought on three fronts, i.e, the eastern, western and Italian. During this same period, the division began as a numbered division - was organized first as a regular infanterie division, reorganized into the 3.Infanterie Division (MOT) just prior to Stalingrad; followed by another reorganization as the 3. Panzergrenadier-Division.
Below is a short synopsis of the 11-year history of this division.
Pre-War - The German Army (Heer) numbered division 3.Infanterie-Division was formed in Frankfurt/Oder on 1 Oct 1934 under the cover name Kommandant von Frankfurt/Oder; which was used until 15 Oct 1935.
a. War Years (Early War) 1939 - 1940
Area of Operations
Poland
(Sep 1939 - Oct 1939)
Germany
(Oct 1939 - May 1940)
France
(May 1940 - Oct 1940)
*The 3.Infanterie-Division was subsequently reorganized and redesignated 3. Infanterie-Division (MOT) on 27 Oct 1940.
b. War Years (Early to Mid) 1941 – 1943
Taking part in Operation Barbarossa as part of the attacking German forces, its area of operations covered the following sectors
Area of Operations
Germany - OCT 1940 – JUNE 1941
Eastern Front - Northern Sector JUNE 1941 – DEC 1942
Eastern Front - Central Sector DEC 1941 – JULY 1942
Eastern Front - Southern Sector JULY 1941 – OCT 1942
Stalingrad - NOV 1942 – JAN 1943
*Following the destruction of the 3.Infantrie Division at Stalingrad, in January 1943 the remnants of the division served as the principle cadre for a new, reformed and renamed 3. Panzergrenadier-Division.
c. War Years (Mid- to End) 1943 – 1945
3. Panzergrenadier-Division after its reformation was sent to Italy in June 1943 and fought the allies at Salerno, Casino, and Anzio and during the retreat to Rome; before being withdrawn and sent onwards to France. There, it fought southeast of Paris before retreating to the Saar area. It refitted in Germany from November - December 1944, before fighting in the Ardennes. It was destroyed in the Ruhr pocket April 1945.
Area of Operations
France Mar 1943 – June 1943
Italy June 1943 – Aug 1944
France Aug 1944 – Dec 1944
Western Germany Nov 1944 – Dec 1944
Ardennes, Germany/Ruhr pocket Dec 1944 – Apr 1945 *Destroyed in April 1945
CAMPAIGNS:
a. Polish campaign
When the invasion of Poland was launched, 3.Infanterie-Division was part of II Armee-Korps, 4th Army, Army Group “North”. The 4. Army was to maneuver rapidly through the “Polish Corridor” from Pomerania - in order to reach the 3.Army in East Prussia and isolate Polish troops in the coastal region of Danzig. The sector of attack of 3.Infanterie-Division was made through the Tuchola Forest - which was poorly defended by a Polish Infantry Division and the Cavalry Brigade “Pomorska”. The mission was to break enemy defenses from Seenkette between Nandsburg and Mrotschen, Braha and then cross the river west of Crone, and up the Vistula region of Topolno – Grabowko. The 3.Infanterie-Division then took part in a battle attacking towards Modlin. What followed were security operations to reduce the pocket of Bzura between Woclawek and Wyscogrod, before fighting onward near Plock and moving towards Gostynin, thereby ending the Polish campaign around Lowicz. The division was then transferred to the region of the Eifel, near the German-Luxembourg border.
b. Battle of France
When the invasion of France was launched, 3.Infanterie-Division belonged to Armee-Korps, 12 Army, Army Group “A”. The mission was to attack through both Luxembourg and Belgium to the Meuse - Nouzonville, and eventually securing the area between Évergnicourt and Balham, before moving on to Asfeld Aisne. The Division moved forward towards the center of the channel in the region of Châlons, performing security operations along the line at the end of the campaign. On 27 October 1940, the division is up-graded to a motorized division.
c. Russian campaign
The division took part in the campaign in Russia beginning first in the northern sector of the front, advancing toward Leningrad (Battle of Lake Ilmen), then passing the Lovat and Demiansk sectors. Followed by moving south to support the attack on Moscow, (taking Naro-Fominsk Mozhaysk on the line). What followed was intensive fighting during the first defensive-offensive battles. Thereafter, it was transferred further south in the spring of 1942 to take part in battles in Ukraine and the Don region. The 3.Infanterie-Division (MOT) then moved on orders towards Stalingrad, where it too became surrounded and subsequently destroyed; along with the rest of the 6.Army in early 1943.
The division was then reformed anew in the spring of 1943 in the South of France, as 3.Panzer-Grenadier-Division. Its cadre came from the survivors of both the 3.Infanterie-Division (motorized) and 386 Infanterie-Division (motorized).
d. Italian Campaign
When in Italy it took part in the hard fought battles of Salerno, Casino, the line of “Bernhard” and Anzio, and finally retreating to Rome in May-June 1944.
e. Battle of France
The 3.Panzer-Grenadier-Division was moved to Florence at the end of June 1944, and sent near Paris in August. Attacked hard by the Allies by both land and air, the Division also was a part of the general German Army retreat from France, and the subsequent German operations in and around Nancy.
f. German campaign
The Division fought in the battle at Aix-la-Chapelle in November 1944, before being taken out of the line to participate in the German counter-offensive in the Ardennes in December 1944 and January 1945. Subsequently, it defended the Bridge at Remagen, followed by defense of the Cologne region. It was here, in April 1945, surrounded by the Allies in the Ruhr pocket that it laid down its arms for the first and last time.
TABLE OF ORGANIZATION - Aufklärungs-Abteilung 53, 3.Infanterie-Division (MOT) Actual
1 X Armored Car Company
3 x Motorcycle Company
1 X Heavy Company (mot)
1 X Engineer Platoon
1 X Panzerjäger Platoon
1 X Infantry Support Platoon
1 X Light Armored Car Supply Column
* The Battalion as named above covered the period of NOV 1940 – June 1943. The reconnaissance unit of the division also underwent naming and renaming during the 11 year history of the division as noted in yellow below in table 1.
COMMANDERS OF THE 3.INFANTERIE-DIVISION
Generalmajor Curt Haase (15 October 1935 -7 March 1936)
Generalleutnant Walter Petzel (7 March 1936 – 10 November 1938)
Generalleutnant Walter Lichel (November 10, 1938 – October 1940)
Generalleutnant Paul Bader ( October 1940 – 25 May 1941)
Generalleutnant Curt Jahn (25 May 1941 – April 1942)
Generalmajor Helmuth Schlömer (April 1942 – 17 January 1943)
Jobst Oberst Freiherr von Hanstein (18 January 1943 – February 1943)
Generalmajor Fritz-Hubert Gräser (Spring 1943 – June 1944)
Generalleutnant Hans-Günther von Rost (June 1944 – 25 June 1944)
Generalmajor Hans Hecker (25 June 1944 - 3 October 1944)
Generalmajor Kurt Cuno (October 1944)
Oberst von Emanuel Kiliani (October 1944)
Generalleutnant Walter Denkert (October 1944 – April 1945)
TABLES OF ORGANIZATION (Abbreviated) Table 1
1939
Infanterie-Regiment 8
Infanterie-Regiment 29
Infanterie-Regiment 50
Artillery-Regiment 3
I. Gruppe / Artillerie-Regiment 39 Aufklärungs-Abteilung 3
Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 3
Pionier-Bataillon 3
Nachrichten-Abteilung 3
Beobachtungs-Abteilung 3
Feld-Ersatz-Bataillon 3
November 1940
Infantry-Regiment (motorized) 8
Infantry-Regiment (motorized) 29
Artillery-Regiment (motorized) 3 Aufklärungs-Abteilung (motorized) 53
Kradschützen-Bataillon 53
Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 3
Pioneer-Battalion (motorized) 3
Nachrichten-Abteilung (motorized) 3
July 1943 to April 1945
Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 8
Panzer-Grenadier-Regiment 29 Panzer-Abteilung 103 Aufklärungs
Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 3
Artillery-Regiment (motorized) 3
Fliegerabwehr-Abteilung 312 (Group Flak)