129th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)

German 129th Infantry Division
129. Infanterie-Division

Divisional insignia of the 129th Infantry Division
Active 1941–45
Country  Nazi Germany
Branch Heer
Size Division
Engagements

World War II

Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Heribert von Larisch

The 129th Infantry Division (German: Hessen-Thuerinische 129. Infanterie-Division) was an Infantry Division of the German Army during World War II.

History

The 129th Infantry Division was formed in Hanau, in Wehrkreis XI on 20 October 1940 as Division 11 and incorporated personnel from Hessen and Thuringia.[1] Elements of 9th, 33rd and 251st Infantry Divisions formed approximately 30% of the division.[1]

After the training of the division ended in April 1941, it was sent to East Prussia and took part in Operation Barbarossa.[1] As part of Army Group Center, the division fought in several battles of the central sector of the Eastern Front, such as those in Białystok, Smolensk and Vyazma.[1] In October–November 1941 the division suffered heavy casualties defending the Kalinin Bridgehead and on 25 December it absorbed the 326th and 369th Regiments of the destroyed 162nd Infantry Division. The 236th Artillery Regiment of 162nd Infantry Division was incorporated into the 129th Artillery Regiment of the Division as well. The following year it took part in the heavy fighting near Rzhev, where it remained from November 1941 to early March 1943.

After the retreat from Rzhev, the division fought in Bryansk, Mogilev and Vitebsk, while it was reinforced with the 566th Grenadier Regiment of the 390th Field Training Division.[1] Due to the high losses suffered in central Belorussia, namely in Bobruisk and Baranovka, it was reorganised in July 1944. Under the leadership of Generalmajor Heribert von Larisch, the 129th Infantry Division distinguished itself in the defensive battles in Narew river and was referenced in the Wehrmachtbericht on 12 September 1944.[2]

In der Schlacht am unteren Narew zeichnete sich die hessisch-thüringische 129. Infanteriedivision unter Führung von Generalmajor von Larisch und die württembergische 5. Jägerdivision unter Führung von Generalleutnant Sixt durch Standfestigkeit und Angriffsschwung besonders aus.[2] The Hessian-Thuringian 129th Infantry Division under the leadership of Generalmajor von Larisch and the Württembergian 5th Jägerdivision under the command of Generalleutnant Sixt distinguished themselves in the battle at the lower Narew with firmness and offensive drive.

In January 1944, the division was still fighting near Narew, in Różan, but was soon forced to retreat.[1] The 129th Infantry Division was eventually destroyed in East Prussia and disbanded around February. The surviving elements were transferred into the 4th Army and fought in the last battles in East Prussia. The Headquarters of the division served as the Kommandatur of Frisches Haff.[3]

Commanders


List of Knight's Cross Recipients 129th Infantry Division

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Staff

427th Grenadier Regiment

428th Grenadier Regiment
430th Grenadier Regiment
129th Artillery Regiment

129th Panzerjäger Battalion

129th Füsilier Battalion

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mitcham, p. 181
  2. 1 2 Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939-1945 Band 3, p. 241.
  3. ↑ Mitcham, p. 182

Sources

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