277th Infantry Division
A first 277th Infantry Division (German: 277. Infanterie-Division) was ordered to form on May 22, 1940, as part of the 10th mobilisation wave (10. Welle), but this order was rescinded after the French Surrender. A new 277th Infantry Division was formed in Croatia on November 17, 1943, as part of the 22nd mobilisation wave (22. Welle), the division was destroyed in the Battle of Normandy in August 1944. A third, 277th Volksgrenadier Division (277. Volksgrenadier-Division) was formed on September 4, 1944, in Hungary by redesignation of the newly formed 574th Volksgrenadier Division (574. Volksgrenadier-Division) of the 32nd mobilisation wave (32. Welle). In 1945 the division entered U.S. captivity in the Ruhr Pocket.
277th Infantry Division | |
---|---|
277. Infanterie-Division | |
Active | 22 May 1940 – 1945 |
Country | Nazi Germany |
Branch | Army |
Type | Infantry |
Size | Division |
Engagements | World War II |
Operational history
Except for its formation time in Croatia and Hungary the 277th Infantry Division spent its entire operation history on the Western front. The division took part in the Battles of Normandy (where it was practically destroyed), and after reconstitution, the Lorraine campaign under Army Group G, beginning in November 1944. It then participated in the Ardennes campaign. It fought alongside the 12th VG Division in the effort to take Rocherath-Krinkelt and Elsenborn.
Organization
1943
- Grenadier-Regiment 989, I and II Battalions
- Grenadier-Regiment 990, I and II Battalions
- Grenadier-Regiment 991, I and II Battalions
- Artillerie-Regiment 277, I-IV Battalions
- Divisions-Füsilier-Abteilung 277
- Pionier-Battalion 277
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachrichten-Abteilung 277
- Feldersatz-Battalion 277
1944
- Grenadier-Regiment 989, I and II Battalions
- Grenadier-Regiment 990, I and II Battalions
- Grenadier-Regiment 991, I and II Battalions
- Artillerie-Regiment 277, I-IV Battalions
- Divisions-Füsilier-Kompanie 277
- Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 277
- Pionier-Battalion 277
- Infanterie-Divisions-Nachrichten-Abteilung 277
References
- Tessin, Georg. Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS 1939 - 1945 Volume 8