6.Division

Lineage

Traditions

  • See Divisions organic components for traditions

History

The 6.Division was formed in January of 1921 from the Reichswehr-Brigade 7, Reichswehr-Brigade 10, both of theformer Übergangsheer. The 6.Division was based in Münster. Thecommanderof the 6.Division also served as the head of the regionalWehrkreiskommandoof the same number, in this case, Wehrkreis VI.Ittoo was based in Münster. There were seven Wehrkreiskommandos in theReichswehr,each one relating to a specific Reichwehr division, numbers 1-7. The commanderof each thus served a duel role as the commander of the Wehrkreis and thecommander of the division in question.

In 1934, during the transition period of the Reichswehr into the Wehrmacht,all seven Wehrkreiskommandos were upgraded into Korp formations with the commanderbeing transfered to serve as the CO of each. Thus the divisional formationsof the original seven divisions ceased to exist, while their organic unitswere used as the basis for the formation of a series of 21 totally new divisions.The 21 Infanterie-Reigmenter of the Reichswehraided in the formation of 42 new Wehrmacht Infanterie-Regimenter, two being an organic part ofeach of the newly formed 21 Infanterie-Divisionen.At first, each of the newly formed 21 Infanterie-Divisionenwere known by cover names to prevent troubles with Germanys detractors,but later in October of 1935, all cover names were dropped when the formationof the Wehrmacht and its new units was made public.

Thus, for the exact transitions and lineages of the 6.Division into theWehrmacht, please see this units specific organic components – theReichswehr 6.Division itself ceased to exist as of October of 1934.

Organization

General
Infanterieführer VI
16.Infanterie-Regiment
17.Infanterie-Regiment
18.Infanterie-Regiment
Artillerieführer VI
6.(Preußisches) Artillerie-Regiment
Pionier-Bataillon 6
Nachrichten-Bataillon 6
Kraftfahr-Abteilung 6
Sanitäts-Abteilung 6

Commanders

Gen.d.Inf. Friedrich von Lossberg 10.01.20 – 1.01.25
Gen.d.Inf. Leopold Freiherr von Ledebur 1.01.25 – 2.28.28
Gen.d.Art. Max Föhrenbach 3.01.28 – 5.01.31
Gen.Lt. Wolfgang Fleck 5.01.31 – 9.30.34

Subordination

Gruppenkommando 2 / Wehrkreiskommando VI

German Bibliography

  • Stellenbesetzung im Reichsheer, by U. von Gersdorff
  • Unsere Reichswehr, Das Buch von Heer und Flotte, by Oberstleutnant a.D. Benary
  • Deutsche Verbände und Truppen 1918-1939, by George Tessin
  • Formationsgeschichte und Stellenbesetzung 1815-1939, Teil 1, der deutschen Heer, Band 1-3, by Günter Wegner
  • Die Pflege der Tradition der alten Armee in Reichsheer und im der Wehrmacht, by Schirmer/Wiener
  • Das Reichsheer und Seine Tradition, author unknown