550th Grenadier Division

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The 550th Grenadier Division was a German infantry division during World War II . The division was set up in Latvia on July 11, 1944 . On July 22nd, the 550th Grenadier Division was renamed the 31st Grenadier Division while the division was being established. On October 9, 1944, the division in the Riga area was renamed the 31st Volksgrenadier Division . The division fought its way through the narrow corridor from Kemeri (see also Doppelkopf company ) to the south-west out of the Soviet enclosure with high losses. In January 1945 the division was brought from Courland by ship and rail to Thorn in West Prussia for refreshment. Due to the major Soviet offensive, however, the unit was forced to withdraw in the direction of the Putzig - Gotenhafen area very quickly without being refreshed . On the western edge of the Tucheler Heide there was heavy fighting with the Red Army. In the end, the unit withdrew to the Hela peninsula , where it capitulated to the Red Army and was taken prisoner by the Soviets .

literature

  • Mitcham, Samuel W., Jr. (2007a). German Order of Battle. Volume Two: 291st - 999th Infantry Divisions, Named Infantry Divisions, and Special Divisions in WWII. PA; United States of America: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3437-0 .
  • Mitcham, Samuel W., Jr. (2007b). Panzer Legions: A Guide to the German Army Tank Divisions of WWII and Their Commanders. Mechanicsburg, PA, United States: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3353-3 .