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 andformed into the 16.Panzer-Division. The portions not formed into the 16.Panzer-Divisionwere used as the basis for this division. Portions of the 228.Infanterie-Division were also used tohelp form this division.
The 16.Infanterie-Division (mot) fought in the campaign against theBalkans in April, 1941, and then later as a part of the southern sector ofthe Eastern Front in June, 1941. It fought there against the Soviets in the Ukraine whereit 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 areasouth 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 unitduring 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 thesouthern sector fighting against the Soviet offensives of the winter of1942-43. The 16.Infanterie-Division (mot) then took part in the fighting withdrawlto the Mius.
