Light Division (Wehrmacht)
Light tank units of the German Wehrmacht , which existed between 1937 and 1940, were designated as light division . They were after the invasion of Poland in tanks - divisions reclassified.
concept
The light divisions were supposed to replace the obsolete cavalry and serve as a link between motorized infantry divisions and armored divisions. Therefore they possessed usually two cavalry infantry regiments , a reconnaissance battalion, an artillery - Regiment and a tank - department . They were among the rapid troops . This corresponded to the Panzergrenadier divisions established in the successor . The light divisions failed to live up to expectations during the attack on Poland in September 1939. They were too weak to be used as tank formations but too cumbersome to replace cavalry. They were therefore gradually converted into tank divisions .
In contrast to this, the "light Africa divisions" that were deployed in the German Africa Corps in 1941/42 were structured. They were newly set up with different subordinate units (usually three armored infantry regiments as well as reconnaissance, artillery and subordinate units) and corresponded more to an infantry division. Later they were also converted into tank divisions.
The term "light division" is occasionally used in connection with the "light infantry divisions", the later Jäger divisions . These consisted of only two hunter (infantry) regiments and division troops.
Nowadays, airborne units in particular are referred to as "light divisions".
units
Wehrmacht
All divisions of the Wehrmacht are listed here that were easily labeled .
Tank divisions
| Surname | Reclassification | New name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st light division | October 1939 | 6th Panzer Division |
| 2nd light division | October 1939 | 7th Panzer Division |
| 3rd light division | October 1939 | 8th Panzer Division |
| 4th light division | January 1940 | 9th Panzer Division |
| 5th easy division | August 1941 | Part of the 21st Panzer Division |
| 90th Africa Light Division | July 1942 | 90th Africa Division |
| 164th Africa Light Division | June 1943 | Dissolved |
| 999th Africa Light Division | May 1943 | Surrendered |
Infantry divisions
| Surname | Reclassification | New name |
|---|---|---|
| 5th light infantry division | July 1942 | 5th Jäger Division |
| 8th light infantry division | June 1942 | 8th Hunter Division |
| 28th light infantry division | July 1942 | 28th Jäger Division |
| 97th Light Infantry Division | July 1942 | 97th Jäger Division |
| 99th Light Infantry Division | October 1941 | 7th Mountain Division |
| 100th Light Infantry Division | July 1942 | 100th Hunter Division |
| 101st Light Infantry Division | July 1942 | 101st Hunter Division |
literature
- Shelford Bidwell et al.: Land War in the 20th Century: History, Technology, Strategy . Edited by: Ray Bonds, Gondrom Verlag, Bayreuth 1978, ISBN 3-8112-0148-4 . (German translation; English original title: The encyclopedia of land warfare in the 20th century )