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{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 159th Infantry DIvision
| unit_name = Division No. 159<br>159th Division<br>159th Reserve Division<br>159th Infantry Division
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
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| march =
| march =
| mascot =
| mascot =
| battles = * [[Case Anton]], 1942
| battles = [[Case Anton]], 1942<br>[[Operation Nordwind]], 1945<br>[[Colmar Pocket]], 1945
⚫
| notable_commanders = [[Hermann Meyer-Rabingen]]<br>[[Friedrich-Wilhelm Dernen]]

| native_name = {{lang-de|Division Nr. 159<br>159. Division<br>159. Reserve-Division<br>159. Infanterie-Division}}
* [[Operation Nordwind]], 1945

* [[Colmar Pocket]], 1945
⚫
| notable_commanders = * [[Hermann Meyer-Rabingen]]

* [[Friedrich-Wilhelm Dernen]]
| native_name = '''''Kommandeur der Ersatztruppen IX'''''

'''''159. Division'''''

'''''Division Nr. 159'''''

'''''159. Reserve-Division'''''

'''''159. Infanterie-Division'''''
}}
}}
The '''159th Infantry Division''' ({{lang-de|159. Infanterie-Division}}) was an [[Infantry Division|infantry division]] of the German [[German Army (1935–1945)|Heer]] during [[World War II]]. The unit, at times designated '''Commander of Reserve Troops IX''' ({{lang-de|Kommandeur der Ersatztruppen IX|link=no}}), '''159th Division''' ({{lang-de|159. Division|link=no}}), '''Division No. 159''' ({{lang-de|Division Nr. 159|link=no}}), and '''159th Reserve Division''' ({{lang-de|159. Reserve-Division|link=no}}), was active between 1939 and 1945.
The '''159th Infantry Division''' ({{lang-de|159. Infanterie-Division}}) was an [[Infantry Division|infantry division]] of the German [[German Army (1935–1945)|Heer]] during [[World War II]]. The unit, at times designated '''Commander of Reserve Troops IX''' ({{lang-de|Kommandeur der Ersatztruppen IX|link=no}}), '''159th Division''' ({{lang-de|159. Division|link=no}}), '''Division No. 159''' ({{lang-de|Division Nr. 159|link=no}}), and '''159th Reserve Division''' ({{lang-de|159. Reserve-Division|link=no}}), was active between 1939 and 1945.
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== History ==
== History ==


=== Commander of Reserve Troops IX ===
=== Previous formations ===
The Commander of Reserve Troops IX was formed in [[Kassel]] as part of German [[Mobilization|general mobilization]] on 26 August 1939.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Mitcham|first=Samuel W.|title=German Order of Battle: 1st-290th Infantry divisions in World War II|publisher=Stackpole Books|year=2007|isbn=9780811734165|location=|pages=|chapter=159th Infantry (Formerly Reserve) Division}}</ref> Its initial purpose was to form a command staff for reserve units in the ninth ''[[Military district (Germany)|Wehrkreis]]'' (military district). This military district was headquartered in Kassel and included most of [[Hesse]] as well as parts of [[Thuringia]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Tessin|first=Georg|title=Die Landstreitkräfte 131-200|publisher=Biblio Verlag|year=1972|isbn=3764808721|series=Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939-1945|volume=7|location=Osnabrück|pages=113-117|language=German}}</ref>
The Commander of Reserve Troops IX was formed in [[Kassel]] as part of German [[Mobilization|general mobilization]] on 26 August 1939.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Mitcham|first=Samuel W.|title=German Order of Battle: 1st-290th Infantry divisions in World War II|publisher=Stackpole Books|year=2007|isbn=9780811734165|chapter=159th Infantry (Formerly Reserve) Division}}</ref> Its initial purpose was to form a command staff for reserve units in the ninth ''[[Military district (Germany)|Wehrkreis]]'' (military district). This military district was headquartered in Kassel and included most of [[Hesse]] as well as parts of [[Thuringia]]. The 159th Division was formed as a result of the redesignation of the Commander of Reserve Troops IX on 9 November 1939. The 159th Division was redesignated Division No. 159 on 1 January 1940. The division was deployed from Kassel to [[Frankfurt|Frankfurt am Main]] on 11 January 1940.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Tessin |first=Georg |title=Die Landstreitkräfte 131-200 |publisher=Biblio Verlag |year=1972 |isbn=3764808721 |series=Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939-1945 |volume=7 |location=Osnabrück |pages=113–117 |language=de}}</ref>

=== 159th Division ===
The 159th Division was formed as a result of the redesignation of the Commander of Reserve Troops IX on 9 November 1939.<ref name=":1" />

=== Division No. 159 ===
The 159th Division was redesignated Division No. 159 on 1 January 1940. The division was deployed from Kassel to [[Frankfurt|Frankfurt am Main]] on 11 January 1940.<ref name=":1" />


=== 159th Reserve Division ===
=== 159th Reserve Division ===
The Division No. 159 was split in two as a result of the restructuring of the [[Replacement Army]] on 1 October 1942. While one part of the division became the [[189th Reserve Division (Wehrmacht)|189th Reserve Division]], the rest retained the ordinal number 159 and became the 159th Reserve Division.<ref name=":1" /> Subsequently, it was made ready for its first deployment outside of Germany.<ref name=":0" />
The Division No. 159 was split in two as a result of the restructuring of the [[Replacement Army]] on 1 October 1942. While one part of the division became the [[189th Reserve Division (Wehrmacht)|189th Reserve Division]], the rest retained the ordinal number 159 and became the 159th Reserve Division.<ref name=":1" /> Subsequently, it was made ready for its first deployment outside of Germany.<ref name=":0" />


The division was placed under the supervision of the [[LXVI Army Corps (Wehrmacht)|LXVI Army Corps]] and deployed to [[Bourg-de-Péage|Bourg]] in France. The division consisted of the Reserve Infantry Regiments 214 (nicknamed ''Brunhilde'', infantry batallions 106, 367, 388) and 251 (infantry batallions 36, 81, 205, 471). The ''Brunhilde'' Reserve Infantry Regiment 214, now designated Grenadier Regiment 870, was soon passed to the [[356th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|356th Infantry Division]]. In turn, the 159th Reserve Division received the Reserve Grenadier Regiment 9 from the 189th Reserve Division.<ref name=":1" /> In November 1942, the 159th Reserve Division, which now consisted of the Reserve Grenadier Regiments 9, 52 and 251, participated in [[Case Anton]], the de facto annexation of [[Vichy France]] by Germany.<ref name=":0" />
The division was placed under the supervision of the [[LXVI Army Corps (Wehrmacht)|LXVI Army Corps]] and deployed to [[Bourg-de-Péage|Bourg]] in France. The division consisted of the Reserve Infantry Regiments 214 (nicknamed ''Brunhilde'', infantry battalions 106, 367, 388) and 251 (infantry battalions 36, 81, 205, 471). The ''Brunhilde'' Reserve Infantry Regiment 214, now designated Grenadier Regiment 870, was soon passed to the [[356th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|356th Infantry Division]]. In turn, the 159th Reserve Division received the Reserve Grenadier Regiment 9 from the 189th Reserve Division.<ref name=":1" /> In November 1942, the 159th Reserve Division, which now consisted of the Reserve Grenadier Regiments 9, 52 and 251, participated in [[Case Anton]], the de facto annexation of [[Vichy France]] by Germany.<ref name=":0" />


In December 1943, the 159th Reserve Division consisted of the following units:<ref name=":1" />
In December 1943, the 159th Reserve Division consisted of the following units:<ref name=":1" />
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* ''Reserve Grenadier Regiment 251'', [[Saint-Étienne|St Etienne]]
* ''Reserve Grenadier Regiment 251'', [[Saint-Étienne|St Etienne]]
* ''Reserve Artillery Detachment 9'', [[Valbonne]]
* ''Reserve Artillery Detachment 9'', [[Valbonne]]
* ''Reserve Pioneer Batallion 15'', [[Tournon-sur-Rhône|Tournon]]
* ''Reserve Pioneer Battalion 15'', [[Tournon-sur-Rhône|Tournon]]
* ''Reserve Division Supply Leader 1059'', [[Bourg-de-Péage|Bourg]]
* ''Reserve Division Supply Leader 1059'', [[Bourg-de-Péage|Bourg]]


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* ''Grenadier Regiment 1210'', formerly ''Reserve Grenadier Regiment 251''
* ''Grenadier Regiment 1210'', formerly ''Reserve Grenadier Regiment 251''
* ''Grenadier Regiment 1211''
* ''Grenadier Regiment 1211''
* ''Fusilier Company 159'', later ''Division Fusilier Batallion 159''
* ''Fusilier Company 159'', later ''Division Fusilier Battalion 159''
* ''Artillery Regiment 1059''
* ''Artillery Regiment 1059''
* ''[[Panzerjäger]] Detachment 1059''
* ''[[Panzerjäger]] Detachment 1059''
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* July 1944: [[LXIV Army Corps (Wehrmacht)|LXIV Army Corps]], 1st Army, Army Group D.
* July 1944: [[LXIV Army Corps (Wehrmacht)|LXIV Army Corps]], 1st Army, Army Group D.
* August 1944: LXIV Army Corps, [[Army Group G]].
* August 1944: LXIV Army Corps, [[Army Group G]].
* September 1944: [[IV Luftwaffe Corps]], [[19th Army (Wehrmacht)|19th Army]], Army Group G.
* September 1944: [[IV Luftwaffe Field Corps]], [[19th Army (Wehrmacht)|19th Army]], Army Group G.


=== 159th Infantry Division ===
=== 159th Infantry Division ===
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* October 1944 – November 1944: [[LXXXV Army Corps (Wehrmacht)|LXXXV Army Corps]], 19th Army, Army Group G.
* October 1944 – November 1944: [[LXXXV Army Corps (Wehrmacht)|LXXXV Army Corps]], 19th Army, Army Group G.
* December 1944: [[LXIII Army Corps (Wehrmacht)|LXIII Army Corps]], 19th Army, Army Group G.
* December 1944: [[LXIII Army Corps (Wehrmacht)|LXIII Army Corps]], 19th Army, Army Group G.
* January 1945: LXIII Army Corps, 19th Army, [[Army Group Oberrhein (Germany)|Army Group Oberrhein]].
* January 1945: LXIII Army Corps, 19th Army, [[Army Group Upper Rhine]].
* February 1945: [[XVIII SS Corps]], 19th Army, Army Group G.
* February 1945: [[XVIII SS Corps]], 19th Army, Army Group G.
* March 1945 (only on paper): Under supervision of [[Oberbefehlshaber West]].
* March 1945 (only on paper): Under supervision of [[Oberbefehlshaber West]].
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* [[Friedrich-Wilhelm Dernen]], divisional commander (10 October 1944).<ref name=":0" />
* [[Friedrich-Wilhelm Dernen]], divisional commander (10 October 1944).<ref name=":0" />
* [[Heinrich Bürcky]], divisional commander (15 November 1944).<ref name=":0" />
* [[Heinrich Bürcky]], divisional commander (15 November 1944).<ref name=":0" />
* Obfähnr. G. Müller, staff and personnel of Panzergrenadier-Regiment 159


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}{{Numbered infantry divisions of the Wehrmacht}}
<references />{{Infantry Divisions of the Wehrmacht}}{{Subject bar|portal1=Military of Germany|portal2=World War II}}

[[Category:Infantry divisions of Germany during World War II]]
[[Category:Infantry divisions of Germany during World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1939]]

Latest revision as of 18:54, 27 March 2024

Division No. 159
159th Division
159th Reserve Division
159th Infantry Division
German: Division Nr. 159
159. Division
159. Reserve-Division
159. Infanterie-Division
ActiveAugust 1939 – February 1945
Country Nazi Germany
BranchArmy (Wehrmacht)
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
EngagementsCase Anton, 1942
Operation Nordwind, 1945
Colmar Pocket, 1945
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Hermann Meyer-Rabingen
Friedrich-Wilhelm Dernen

The 159th Infantry Division (German: 159. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Heer during World War II. The unit, at times designated Commander of Reserve Troops IX (German: Kommandeur der Ersatztruppen IX), 159th Division (German: 159. Division), Division No. 159 (German: Division Nr. 159), and 159th Reserve Division (German: 159. Reserve-Division), was active between 1939 and 1945.

History

[edit]

Previous formations

[edit]

The Commander of Reserve Troops IX was formed in Kassel as part of German general mobilization on 26 August 1939.[1] Its initial purpose was to form a command staff for reserve units in the ninth Wehrkreis (military district). This military district was headquartered in Kassel and included most of Hesse as well as parts of Thuringia. The 159th Division was formed as a result of the redesignation of the Commander of Reserve Troops IX on 9 November 1939. The 159th Division was redesignated Division No. 159 on 1 January 1940. The division was deployed from Kassel to Frankfurt am Main on 11 January 1940.[2]

159th Reserve Division

[edit]

The Division No. 159 was split in two as a result of the restructuring of the Replacement Army on 1 October 1942. While one part of the division became the 189th Reserve Division, the rest retained the ordinal number 159 and became the 159th Reserve Division.[2] Subsequently, it was made ready for its first deployment outside of Germany.[1]

The division was placed under the supervision of the LXVI Army Corps and deployed to Bourg in France. The division consisted of the Reserve Infantry Regiments 214 (nicknamed Brunhilde, infantry battalions 106, 367, 388) and 251 (infantry battalions 36, 81, 205, 471). The Brunhilde Reserve Infantry Regiment 214, now designated Grenadier Regiment 870, was soon passed to the 356th Infantry Division. In turn, the 159th Reserve Division received the Reserve Grenadier Regiment 9 from the 189th Reserve Division.[2] In November 1942, the 159th Reserve Division, which now consisted of the Reserve Grenadier Regiments 9, 52 and 251, participated in Case Anton, the de facto annexation of Vichy France by Germany.[1]

In December 1943, the 159th Reserve Division consisted of the following units:[2]

  • Reserve Grenadier Regiment 9, Lyon
  • Reserve Grenadier Regiment 251, St Etienne
  • Reserve Artillery Detachment 9, Valbonne
  • Reserve Pioneer Battalion 15, Tournon
  • Reserve Division Supply Leader 1059, Bourg

159th Infantry Division

[edit]

On 9 October 1944, the army command of the 19th Army ordered the remainders of the 159th Reserve Division reorganized into an infantry division of the 32nd Aufstellungswelle.[2]

The planned composition for the 159th Infantry Division in October 1944 consisted of the following units:[2]

  • Grenadier Regiment 1209, formerly Reserve Grenadier Regiment 9
  • Grenadier Regiment 1210, formerly Reserve Grenadier Regiment 251
  • Grenadier Regiment 1211
  • Fusilier Company 159, later Division Fusilier Battalion 159
  • Artillery Regiment 1059
  • Panzerjäger Detachment 1059
  • Pioneer Battalion 1059
  • Intelligence Battalion 1059
  • Field Replacement Battalion 1059
  • Supply Units 1059

This planned strength was never fully realized, as the retreat from France resulted in constant attrition and combat losses. Furthermore, the Regiment 1211 was not fully deployed until January 1945, weeks before the division's destruction.[2]

The 159th Infantry Division, which had participated in Operation Nordwind in January 1945, was trapped in the Colmar Pocket starting on 20 January and destroyed by early February.[2]

Superior formations

[edit]

Between February 1943 and March 1945, the 159th Reserve Division and 159th Reserve Infantry Division were subordinate to the following formations:[2]

159th Reserve Division

[edit]

159th Infantry Division

[edit]

Noteworthy individuals

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007). "159th Infantry (Formerly Reserve) Division". German Order of Battle: 1st-290th Infantry divisions in World War II. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811734165.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Tessin, Georg (1972). Die Landstreitkräfte 131-200. Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen-SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939-1945 (in German). Vol. 7. Osnabrück: Biblio Verlag. pp. 113–117. ISBN 3764808721.
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