7th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)

1934-1945 combat formation of the German Army

Military unit

The 7th Infantry Division (7. Infanterie-Division) was a formation of the German Wehrmacht during World War II.

History

The division was formed 1 October 1934 in Munich from the Artillerieführer VII staff and renamed 7. Infanterie-Division with the disclosure of German rearmament on 15 October 1935. In preparation of the Invasion of Poland, the division was deployed to the Slovak Republik on 1 August 1939.

Soldiers of the 638th Infantry Regiment (LVF), then under 7th Infantry Division, on the Eastern Front in 1941

During its fight on the Eastern Front, the 7th Infantry Division at times oversaw the 638th Infantry Regiment, better known as the Legion of French Volunteers Against Bolshevism.^[1]: 10

The division surrendered to Soviet forces near Stutthof after the unconditional surrender of 8 May 1945.

Insignia

The divisional insignia of the 7th Infantry Division showed a solid blue rectangle.^[1]: 10

Commanders

• Franz Halder 1 October 1934 – 12 November 1936
• Otto Hartmann 12 November 1936 – 31 July 1939
• Eugen Ott 1 August 1939 – 30 September 1939
• Eberhardt Bohnstedt 30 September 1939 – 1 December 1939
• Eccard Freiherr von Gablenz 1 December 1939 – 13 December 1941
• Hans Jordan 13 December 1941 – 1 November 1942
• Fritz-Georg von Rappard 1 November 1942 – 2 October 1943
• Carl Andre 2 October 1943 – 30 November 1943
• Gustav Gihr 30 November 1943 – 8 December 1943
• Fritz-Georg von Rappard 8 December 1943
• Alois Weber August 1944 – May 1945

Sources

References

1. Hartmann, Theodor (1970). Wehrmacht Divisional Signs, 1938–1945. Almark Publications. ISBN 0-85524-006-7.

Literature

• Burkhard Müller-Hillebrand: Das Heer 1933–1945. Entwicklung des organisatorischen Aufbaues. Vol.III: Der Zweifrontenkrieg. Das Heer vom Beginn des Feldzuges gegen die Sowjetunion bis zum Kriegsende. Mittler: Frankfurt am Main 1969, p. 285.
• Georg Tessin: Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg, 1939 – 1945. Vol. III: Die Landstreitkräfte 6 -14. Mittler: Frankfurt am Main 1967.