2nd Gebirgsjager Division

History

Formed: April 1st, 1938
Mobilized: August 26th, 1939
Wehrkries: XVIII
Home Station: Innsbruck
Fate: Largely destroyed in Southern Germany, with portionssurrendering to the Americans
Division composed of:

1,3 Abteilung, 136th Gebirgsjager Regiment
1,2,3 Abteilung, 137th Gebirgsjager Regiment
2 Abteilung, 140th Gebirgsjager Regiment
2,3 Abteilung, 111th Gebirgs Artillerie Regiment
1 Abteilung, 113th Gebirgs Artillerie Regiment
11th Reconnaissance Abteilung
47th Panzerabwehr Abteilung
82nd Gebirgs Pioneer Abteilung
67th Signals Abteilung
67th Divisional support units

The Division later had the 1 Abteilung, 140th Gebirgsjager Regiment removed andformed into the 2 Abteiling, 136th Gebirgsjager Regiment and the 1 Abteilung,113th Gebirgs Artillerie Regiment removed and formed into the 1 Abteilung,111th Gebirgs Artillerie Regiment. The 47th Panzerjager Abteilung wasreplaced by the 55th Panzerjager and the 111th Reconnaissance Abteilung wasreplaced by the 67th Bicycle Abteilung whcich itself would soon become the67th Reconnaissance Abteilung. Late in the war, the 1 Abteilung, 111thGebirgs Artillerie Regiment was transfered and the 4th heavy Abteilung wasput in its place.

Campaigns

After Austria was formed as a part of the German Reich, many Austrian Alpineunits were amalgamated into the Heer Gebirgsjager formations. The 2ndGebirgsjager Division was formed in 1938 from the former 6th AustrianMountain Division units, along with a number of German Gebirgsjagertroops.

In September, 1939 the Division fought as part of Army Group South inSouthern Poland and took part in the march to capture the Polish city ofLemberg.

After the Campaign in Poland, the Division was transfered to Germany whereit was assigned a role in the Air, Land and Sea invasion of Norway in May of1940. The Division took part in actions in central Norway, beingtransported by sea to ports along the Norwegian central coast, and then inoperations attempting to link up with units of the 3rd Gebirgsjager Divisionholding the Northern port of Narvik. When the Allies retreated from Norwayand the county capitulated to Germany, the Division was put on occupationduties in Norway, and then in service with the forces in the Lappland areaof the far north. The Division served in the far north until 1944 when theGerman forces moved back into Norway.

In December, 1944 the Division was sent to Denmark, and after resting andregrouping, was posted to fight on the Western Front. Late in the War, the2nd Gebirgsjager Division was sent to fight in Southern Germany where it wasdestroyed, with portions surrendering to the Americans.

Division Locations / Schematische Kriegsgliederung

Date	Corps	Army	Army Group	Area
9.39	arriving	–	Süd	Poland
12.39 – 1.40	reserve	16. Armee	A	Niederrhein
4.40 – 8.40	XXI	–	–	Norway
9.40 – 12.40	Gebirgskorps Norwegen (XXI)	–	–	Norway
1.41 – 12.41	Gebirgskorps Norwegen	Armee Norwegen	–	Norway, Lappland
1.42	Gebirgskorps Norwegen	Armee Norwegen	–	Lappland
2.42 – 6.42	Gebirgskorps Norwegen	Armee Lappland	–	Lappland
7.42 – 11.42	Gebirgskorps Norwegen	20. Gebirgsarmee	–	Lappland
12.42 – 10.44	XIX	20. Gebirgsarmee	–	Lappland
11.44	XXXVI	20. Gebirgsarmee	–	Norway
12.44	XIX	20. Gebirgsarmee	–	Norway
1.45	Wehrmachtsbefehlshaber Dänemark	–	–	Denmark*
2.45	reserve	1. Armee	G	Saarpfalz
3.45	LXXXII	1. Armee	G	Hunsrück
4.45	XIII	1. Armee	G	South Germany (Württemberg, Tirol)

* refreshing. Left Norway 9.1.45 and arrived in Heeresgruppe G on 9.2.45.