6th Gebirgsjager Division

Formed: June 1th, 1940
Mobilized: (?)
Wehrkries: XVIII
Home Station: Landeck
Division composed of:

I,II,III Abteilung/141st Gebirgsjager Regiment
I,II,III Abteilung/143rd Gebirgsjager Regiment
I,II,III,IV Abteilung/? Gebirgs Artillerie Regiment
112th Reconnaissance Abteilung
47th Panzerjager Abteilung
91st Pioneer Abteilung
91st Signals Abteilung
91st Divisional support units

History and Campaigns:

The 6th Gebirgsjager Division was formed on June 1st, 1940 when the theremaining men from 139th Gebirgsjager Regiment of the 3rd GebirgsjagerDivision that did not take part in the Invasion of Norway were suppliedto form the 141st Gebirgsjager Regiment. The 2nd Regiment of the 6thGebirgsjager Division was the 143rd Regiment, which was originally intendedto be used in the formation of the 4th Gebirgsjager Division, but was stooddown after the Campaign in France. The Artillerie Regiment of the Divisionwas gathered from many other of the Gebirgsjager Divisions.

Interestingly, the 6th Gebirgsjager Division was raised and formed beforethe the 4th and 5th Gebirgsjager Divsions. Records show the 6th being readyfor combat as early as June 13th, 1940.

The 6th initially spent time doing occupational duty in France, and was thensent to take part in the Campaign in Greece where it played an important rolein breaking the Metaxas Line. It then helped in taking Athens, along withthe 2nd Panzer Division. Parts of the 6th also saw brief action in Crete.

After Greece fell, the Division stayed onoccupation duty until September, 1941 when it was sent to Norway. Later,the Division was sent to Lappland where it spent a good deal of the War.When the Axis pulled out of Lappland in late 1944, the 6th Gebirgsjagermoved back into Norway, where it stayed until it surrendered to the Britishin May, 1945.

Schematische Kriegsgliederung (A detailed officallisting of the divisions locations):

DateCorpsArmyArmy GroupArea
7.40XVIII12. ArmeeCLothringen
8.40X9. ArmeeAFrance
9.40 – 10.40VIII9. ArmeeAFrance
11.40X9. ArmeeAFrance
12.40XXXX12. ArmeeBPoland
1.41XXXX17. ArmeeBPoland
2.41reserve17. ArmeeBPoland
3.41 – 8.41XVIII12. ArmeeGreece, Athens
9.41 – 10.41reserveArmee NorwegenNorth Finland
11.41 – 1.42Gebirgskorps NorwegenArmee NorwegenLappland, Murmansk
2.42 – 6.42Gebirgskorps NorwegenArmee LapplandLappland, Murmansk
7.42 – 11.42Gebirgskorps Norwegen20. Gebirgs-ArmeeArctic coast
12.42 – 12.44XIX20. Gebirgs-ArmeeArctic coast
1.45 – 4.45Narvik20. Gebirgs-ArmeeNorway

Fate: Surrendered to the British in May, 1945.