Infantry Division Scharnhorst

The Infantry Division Scharnhorst (German: Infanterie-Division Scharnhorst) was an infantry division of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. It was formed in late March 1945 as one of the last new divisions of the Wehrmacht before the end of the war.

Infantry Division Scharnhorst
Infanterie-Division Scharnhorst
Active30 March 1945 (1945-03-30) – 2 May 1945 (1945-05-02)
Country Nazi Germany
Branch German Army
TypeInfantry
Part of12th Army
PatronGerhard von Scharnhorst
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Heinrich Götz

The division was named after Prussian military reformer and army general Gerhard von Scharnhorst (1755–1813).

History

The Infantry Division Scharnhorst was formed on 30 March 1945 in the Dessau area in Wehrkreis XI as part of the 35th Aufstellungswelle. It was formed from high school students throughout Wehrkreis XI, as well as remnants of the 167th Infantry Division and the 340th Infantry Division.[1]: 224  After Infantry Division Potsdam was beaten in the Harz mountains by 18 April, a weak leftover regiment joined Infantry Division Scharnhorst as a fusilier battalion.[1]: 199f. 

The division's commander was Heinrich Götz.[2] The division was first deployed in combat on 12 April near Barby against U.S. Army forces and was then deployed against the Red Army as part of the 12th Army near Beelitz on 26 April. The Infantry Division Scharnhorst was captured by American forces in Tangermünde on 2 May 1945.[1]: 224 

Noteworthy individuals

References
  1. Tessin, Georg (1980). Die Landstreitkräfte: Namensverbände / Die Luftstreitkräfte (Fliegende Verbände) / Flakeinsatz im Reich 1943–1945. Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939–1945 (in German). Vol. 14. Osnabrück: Biblio. ISBN 3764811110.
  2. Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). "Infantry Division Scharnhorst". German Order of Battle. Volume Two: 291st-999th Infantry Divisions, Named Infantry Divisions, and Special Divisions in WWII. Stackpole Books. p. 229. ISBN 9780811734165.
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