262nd Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)

The 262nd Infantry Division (German: 262. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Heer during World War II.

History

The 262nd Infantry Division was formed in Mistelbach in Wehrkreis XVII on 26 August 1939, the day of German mobilization, as a division of the fourth Aufstellungswelle. It initially consisted of the Infantry Regiments 462, 482, and 486, as well as the Artillery Regiment 262.[1] The initial divisional commander was Edgar Theisen.[2]

On 28 January 1940, the division passed an infantry battalion to the 296th Infantry Division of the eighth Aufstellungswelle. On 1 October 1940, a third of the division's strength was transferred to the 137th Infantry Division of the eleventh Aufstellungswelle.[1]

The 262nd Infantry Division was posted opposite the Maginot Line in late 1939 and remained there until after the conclusion of the Battle of France. In September 1940, the division was redeployed to occupied Poland, and participated in Operation Barbarossa in June 1941. It advanced via Brody, Zhytomyr, Kiev and Bryansk and was then deployed to the Battle of Moscow. In 1942, it served under Army Group Center. On 15 September 1942, Friedrich Karst replaced Theisen as divisional commander.[2]

In July 1943, the 262nd Infantry Division participated in the Battle of Kursk. On 19 July 1943, Eugen Wößner became the final divisional commander, replacing Karst.[2]

On 2 November 1943, the 262nd Infantry Division was dissolved and restructured into the Division Group 262, under the newly formed Corps Detachment D.[1]

The Division Group 262 was formed into the Grenadier Regiment 192 and assigned to the 56th Infantry Division. The former division's reinforcement units were added to the 277th Infantry Division of the twenty-second Aufstellungswelle on 17 November 1944.[1]

Superior formations
Organizational chart of the 262nd Infantry Division[1]
Year Month Army Corps Army Army Group Area
1939 September In assembly. 7th Army Army Group C Upper Rhine
December XXIV 1st Army Saarpfalz
1940 January – May
June XXXVII Maginot Line
July – August HK XXXXV France
September – December IX 12th Army Army Group B Poland
1941 January – March 17th Army
April XXXIV
May Army Group A
June IV Army Group South Brody
July XXXXIV Zhytomyr
August – September LI 6th Army Kiev
October XXXV 2nd Panzer Army Army Group Center Bryansk
November – December 2nd Army Yelets
1942 January Orel
February – December 2nd Panzer Army
1943 January – July
August Army reserves. 9th Army
September XII Bryansk
October 4th Army Orsha
November Restructured into Corps Detachment D.

Noteworthy individuals
  • Edgar Theisen, divisional commander between 26 August 1939 and 15 September 1942.
  • Friedrich Karst, divisional commander between 15 September 1942 and 19 July 1943.
  • Eugen Wößner, divisional commander between 19 July 1943 and 2 November 1943.
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References
  1. Tessin, Georg (1973). "262". Die Landstreitkräfte 201–280. Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939-1945 (in German). 8. Osnabrück: Biblio Verlag. pp. 264–268. ISBN 3764808721.
  2. Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). "262nd Infantry Division". German Order of Battle. Volume One. 1st-290th Infantry Divisions in World War II. Stackpole Books. pp. 310–311. ISBN 9780811734165.
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