538th Frontier Guard Division (Wehrmacht)

The 538th Frontier Guard Division, also known as the Division z.b.V. 538. was a short-lived German division in World War II that participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia. It was disbanded immediately after the Yugoslav surrender.

538th Frontier Guard Division
Active9 December 1939 – 18 April 1941
Country Nazi Germany
BranchArmy
TypeInfantry
RoleFrontier Guard
Sizeunderstrength Division
Garrison/HQSpittal, Klagenfurt and Graz
EngagementsInvasion of Yugoslavia (World War II)
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Emmerich von Nagy

History

The division was raised on 9 December 1939 in Klagenfurt within Wehrkreis XVIII using the 20th Border Defence Detachment which was stationed along the Reich-Italian border, and was commanded by Generalleutnant (Major General) Emmerich von Nagy.[1] It was called up for duty on 28 March 1941 for the invasion of Yugoslavia.[2] Along with the 1st Mountain Division, it was part of the XLIX Mountain Corps commanded by General der Infanterie (Lieutenant General) Ludwig Kübler.[3]

On the first day of the invasion, the division was stationed on the northwestern part of the border between the Reich and Yugoslavia, and seized important mountain passes, hills and tunnels on the Yugoslav side of the border. These successes enabled the spearheads of the 1st Mountain Division to quickly cross the border and push deep into Yugoslav territory.[3] The division was stood down after the invasion, and was disbanded on 18 April 1941.[2]

Composition

The division was created from the 20th Frontier Guard (German: Grenzschutz) Detachment, which included:[2][1]

On 1 April 1941, immediately prior to the invasion of Yugoslavia, the primary units of the division were:[4]

  • Divisional staff, administration and troops (including a motorcycle platoon, a mountain signals platoon and a military police (German: Feldgendarmerie) detachment)
  • Elements of the 194th Infantry Regiment
    • 1st Battalion (3 companies)
    • 2nd Battalion (3 companies)
  • Elements of the 139th Mountain Regiment
    • 1st Battalion (one company)
    • 2nd Battalion (2 companies)
  • 499th Infantry Replacement Battalion (2 companies)
  • Sperr Pioneer Battalion

Elements of both the 194th Infantry Regiment and 139th Mountain Regiment were detached and placed under command of the 1st Mountain Division.[5]

Notes
  1. Mitcham 2007, p. 92.
  2. Nafziger 1993, p. 35.
  3. U.S. Army 1986, p. 41.
  4. Nafziger 1998, p. 5.
  5. Nafziger 1998, pp. 4–5.
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References
  • Mitcham, Samuel (2007). German Order of Battle: 291st-999th Infantry Divisions, Named Infantry Divisions, and Special Divisions in World War II. Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-3437-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Nafziger, George (1993). "Organizational History of 371st through 719th German Infantry, Security and Panzer Grenadier Divisions 1939–1945" (PDF). Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  • Nafziger, George (1998). "German 2nd Army – Invasion of the Balkans – 1 April 1941" (PDF). Combined Arms Research Library Digital Library. Retrieved 6 April 2014.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • U.S. Army (1986) [1953]. The German Campaigns in the Balkans (Spring 1941). Washington, D.C.: United States Army Center of Military History. OCLC 16940402. CMH Pub 104-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)

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