16.Infanterie-Division (mot)

Unit Emblems

16.Infanterie-Division (mot) Emblem    16.Infanterie-Division (mot) Emblem

Lineage

  • Kommandant von Münster
  • 16.Infanterie-Division
  • 16.Infanterie-Division (mot)

Notable Points

  • Reached Astrakhan along the delta of the Caspian Sea, farther east than any German unit during WWII

History

The 16.Infanterie-Division (mot) was formed in October of 1940 from parts of the 16.Infanterie-Division when it was split and formed into the 16.Panzer-Division. The portions not formed into the 16.Panzer-Division were used as the basis for this division. Portions of the 228.Infanterie-Division were also used to help form this division.

The 16.Infanterie-Division (mot) fought in the campaign against the Balkans in April, 1941, and then later as a part of the southern sector of the Eastern Front in June, 1941. It fought there against the Soviets in the Ukraine where it aided in helping to break the Stalin Line. Soon after the 16.Infanterie-Division(mot) fought in the Caucasus region before being pulled north to the area south of Stalingrad. While south of Stalingrad, the 16.Infanterie-Division (mot)helped to cover the lines between the 1.Panzer-Armee and the 4.Panzer-Armee. While located in this region, Aufkälrung-Abteilung 341 managed to push the farthest eastward of any German unit during WWII, pushing to within 20 miles of Astrakhan along the delta of the Caspian Sea.

After the brutal and fierce battles for Stalingrad, the 16.Infanterie-Division (mot), having managed to avoid encirclement, took part in defensive operations in the southern sector fighting against the Soviet offensives of the winter of 1942-43. The 16.Infanterie-Division (mot) then took part in the fighting withdrawal to the Mius.

In May and June of 1943 the 16.Infanterie-Division (mot)was reformed as the 16.Panzergrenaider-Division.

Organization

General Composition
Infanterie-Regiment 60 (mot)
Infanterie-Regiment 156 (mot)
Artillerie-Regiment 146
Kradschützen-Battalion 165
Aufkälrung-Abteilung 341
Pionier-Abteilung 675
Nachichten-Abteilung 228
66th Divisional Supply Units

Knights Cross Holders

Commanders

General der Infanterie Friedrich-Wilhelm von Chappuis 11.1.40 – 3.15.40
General der Panzertruppen Sigfrid Henrici 3.16.40 – 10.41
Generalleutnant Johannes Streich 10.41 – 11.41
General der Panzertruppen Sigfrid Henrici 11.41 – 11.13.42
General der Panzertruppen Gerhard Graf von Schwerin 11.13.42 – 5.20.43
Generalmajor Wilhelm Crisolli 5.20.43 – cont in 16.Pzgr.Div.

War Service

DateCorpsArmyArmy GroupArea
11.40XXII11. ArmeeCSennelager
12.40XXXIX1. ArmeeDWestern France
1.41 – 2.41LIX1. ArmeeDWestern France
3.41XXXXV1. ArmeeDWestern France
4.41XXXXVI2. ArmeeHungary, Sarajevo
5.41 – 6.41BdEWehrkreis IV (Home)
7.41 – 8.41XXXXVIII1. PanzergruppeSüdDubno-Nikolayev
9.41XIV1. PanzergruppeSüdKiev
10.41XXXXVIII2. PanzergruppeMitteKiev
11.41 – 1.42XXXXVIII2. ArmeeMitteKursk
2.42 – 5.42XXXXVIII2. ArmeeSüdKursk
6.42III. ungarische Korps2. ArmeeSüdKursk
7.42XXXXVIII4. Pz. ArmeeSüdVoronesh
8.42III1. Pz. ArmeeAArmavir, Maikop
9.42 – 10.42independentBKirgiz-steppe
11.42Reserve4. Pz. ArmeeBChargota
12.42Reserve4. Pz. ArmeeDonChargota
1.43LVII4. Pz. ArmeeDonDon, Rostov
2.43Reserve4. Pz. ArmeeDonDon, Rostov
3.43XXIXHollidtSüdStalino
4.43XXIX6. ArmeeSüdMius
5.43Reserve6. ArmeeSüdMius

 

German Bibliography

  • Die deutschen Infanterie-Divisonen, Band 1-3, by Werner Haupt
  • Die deutsche Feldpostübersicht 1939-1945, Band 1-3, by Nobert Kannapin
  • Die Pflege der Tradition der alten Armee in Reichsheer und im der Wehrmacht, by Schirmer/Wiener
  • Die Truppenkennzeichen… der deutchen Wehrmacht u. Waffen-SS, Band 1-4, by Schmitz/Thies
  • Der Zweite Weltkrieg im Kartenbild, Band 1-3, by Klaus-Jurgen Thies
  • Deutsche Verbände und Truppen 1918-1939, by George Tessin
  • Verbände und Truppen der deutchen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS…, Band 1-14, by Georg Tessin
  • Formationsgeschichte und Stellenbesetzung 1815-1939, Teil 1, der deutschen Heer, Band 1-3, by Günter Wegner
  • Die Deutsche Wehrmacht u. Waffen-SS, Ihre Kommando. u. Grossverbände… im Zweiten Weltkrieg, author unknown
  • Das Reichsheer und Seine Tradition, author unknown
  • Deutsche Rote Kreuz Suchdienst, Divisionsschicksale, author unknown