German 352nd Infantry Division
352nd Infantry Division
'''352nd Volksgrenadier Division The 352nd Infantry Division (352. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Heer during World War II. A western front unit, the 352nd is notable as the defenders of Omaha Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944.
Divisional history The 352nd was formed in November 1943 in France, commanded by Generalleutnant Dietrich Kraiß from 6th November 1943 until it was destroyed in July 1944. Parts of the 916th Grenadier Regiment saw action during Operation Overlord, opposing the 1st and 29th U.S divisions at Omaha Beach. The 352nd made a good account of itself, causing many casualties and defending the bluffs above the beach for several hours before being overwhelmed. The rest of the division saw heavy fighting in the bocage (or hedgerow) country defending St. Lo against the Americans. The 352nd was destroyed in the fighting following the invasion, and on 30 July the 352nd was declared abgekämpft, meaning the division was no longer fit for combat. The division was reconstituted as the 352nd Volksgrenadier Division in September, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Thereafter it fought defensively around Trier and the Moselle until it was destroyed once again in mid-March 1945, with only a small remnant escaping across the Rhine at Worms. It was partially reconstituted one last time as a battlegroup in mid-April, and ended its career near Darmstadt. Major Werner Pluskat, who was featured in Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day was in the 352nd and fought against the Americans on Omaha Beach.
Order of battle The 352nd's order of battle on the eve of the Allied Invasion was as follows (NB: artillery component is also shown):
|
