The 5th Mountain Division (German: 5. Gebirgs-Division) was a formation of the German Wehrmacht during World War II. It was established in the Wehrkreis XVIII in October 1940, out of units taken from the 1st Mountain Division and the 10th Infantry Division. The unit surrendered to the U.S. Army near Turin in May 1945.
| 5th Mountain Division | |
|---|---|
| German: 5. Gebirgs-Division | |
 Unit insignia | |
| Active | 1940–45 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Branch |  German Army |
| Type | Gebirgsjäger |
| Role | Mountain warfare |
| Size | Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Salzburg |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | General Julius Ringel |
The Balkans
editFollowing months of inactivity in Germany, the unit formed XVIII Mountain Corps[1] with the 6th Mountain Division, and in spring 1941 was designated to take part in Operation Marita, the invasion of Greece, as part of the Balkans Campaign.
The unit then took part in the invasion of Crete, codenamed Operation Merkur. Here the unit was used in an air-landing role where it fought against British forces which had retreated from Greece. The units role in securing the islands was significant, and in November 1941, the unit returned to Germany for refitting.[2]
Eastern Front
editIn March 1942 it was deployed to the Eastern Front, where it joined Army Group North on the Volkhov Front, and took part in operations against the city of Leningrad. The unit remained on the Eastern Front until November 1943, during which time it was used primarily for firefighting for the 18th Armee in operations near Mga, Shlisselburg, and Kolpino.[3]
Italy
editFollowing its year on the Eastern Front the unit was redeployed to the Gustav Line in December 1943, arriving near Cassino. The unit fought out the remainder of the war in Italy and the Western Alps before surrendering to American forces near Turin in May 1945.[4]
War crimes
editThe division was implicated in the Grugliasco massacre, Piedmont, alongside the 34th Infantry Division, where, on 30 April 1945, 67 civilians were executed.[5][6] Shortly after the division was also implicated in another massacre in the town of Santhià, on the way to Milan, resulting in 48 deaths.[7]
Commanders
edit- Julius Ringel (1 November 1940 – 10 February 1944)
- Max-Günther Schrank (10 February 1944 – 18 January 1945)
- Hans Steets (18 January 1945 – 2 May 1945)
Order of battle
edit1941
edit- Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 85
- Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100
- Gebirgsjäger-Artillerie-Regiment 95
- Gebirgs-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 95
- Gebirgs-Aufklarüng-Abteilung 95
- Gebirgs-Pionier-Abteilung 95
- Gebirgs-Nachrichten-Abteilung 95
- Gebirgs-Sanitäts-Abteulung 95
- Gebirgs-Feldersatz-Bataillon 95
Source:[8]
References
edit- ^ Lepage, Jean-Denis (2023). German Mountain Troops, 1935-194. Pen and Sword, UK.
- ^ "5.Gebirgsjäger-Division". 4 August 2020.
- ^ "5.Gebirgsjäger-Division". 4 August 2020.
- ^ "5.Gebirgsjäger-Division". 4 August 2020.
- ^ "Grugliasco, 30.04.1945" (in Italian). Atlas of Nazi and Fascist Massacres in Italy. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ "5. Gebirgs-Division" (in Italian). Atlas of Nazi and Fascist Massacres in Italy. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ "Santhia, 29-30.04.1945" (in Italian). Atlas of Nazi and Fascist Massacres in Italy. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
- ^ "5.Gebirgsjäger-Division". 4 August 2020.
- Tessin, Georg (1965). "Die Landstreitkräfte 1—5". Die Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939—1945 (in German). Frankfurt/Main: E.S. Mittler. p. 290.
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