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The 4th Infantry Division, designated 4.Infanterie-Division in German was one of the first divisions raised and served during part of World War II. In 1940 it was reorganized as 14th Panzer Division.
| 4th Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| German: 4. Infanterie-Division | |
 Unit insignia | |
| Active | 1 October 1934 – 15 August 1940 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Branch |  German Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Dresden |
| Engagements | World War II |
History
editThe 4th Infantry Division was raised in October 1934 in Dresden. It took part in the Invasion of Poland in 1939 and later the Battle of France in 1940. Later that year it was converted into the 14th Panzer Division.
Organization
editIn 1937, the division's units were:
- Infantry Regiment 10
- Infantry Regiment 52
- Infantry Regiment 103
- Artillery Regiment 4
- I./Artillerie-Regiment 40
- Anti-tank (Panzer-Abwehr) Detachment 4
- Pioneer Battalion 4
- Signals (Nachricten) Detachment 4
- Machine gun Battalion 7
By 1939, the division's units were:
- Infanterie-Regiment 10
- Infanterie-Regiment 52
- Infanterie-Regiment 103
- Artillerie-Regiment 4
- I./Artillerie-Regiment 40
- Aufklärungs-Abteilung 4 (reconnaissance battalion)
- Panzerjäger-Abteilung 4 (anti-tank battalion)
- Pionier-Battalion 13 (engineer battalion)
- Nachrichten-Abteilung 4 (signals battalion)
Commanders
editThe following officers commanded 4th Infantry Division:
- April 1, 1934, to November 10, 1938, Oberst (colonel) Erich Raschick
- November 10, 1938, to August 15, 1940, Gen. Lt. Erick Hansen
Knight's Cross
editNo members of 4th Infantry Division were awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
War service
editPolish Campaign:
- September 1939: part of IV Corps, 10.Armee, German Army Group South
Low Countries and France:
- May 1940: reserve division of German Army Group A
- June 1940: part of IV Corps of 6.Armee of German Army Group B
See also
editReferences
edit- 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. II: Die Landstreitkräfte 1 -5. Mittler: Frankfurt am Main 1966.