The 52nd Infantry Division (German: 52. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Heer (Army) during World War II. It was formed on 26 August 1939 in Siegen, within Wehrkreis IX (Military District IX), as part of the second wave of mobilization (2. Welle).
Operational History
Upon formation, the division was assigned border security duties along the West Wall in the Saarpfalz and Trier regions. In May 1940, it participated in the Western Campaign, advancing through Luxembourg and Belgium into Northern France under the 12th Army. It subsequently saw combat on the Aisne River, in Champagne, and near Dijon.
In June 1941, the division was transferred to Poland to take part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. It advanced through Vilnius and Minsk toward Moscow, eventually being halted at the Protva River. After suffering heavy losses in the Battle of Nevel in October 1943, the division was reduced to a combat group and was formally dissolved on 1 November 1943.
Reorganization
The division was reconstituted as the 52nd Field Training Division (52. Feldausbildungs-Division) in December 1943 under the command of Generalmajor Albert Newiger. In April 1944, it was again redesignated as the 52nd Security Division (52. Sicherungs-Division), still under Newiger's command. The division was initially stationed at Baranavichy (in present-day Belarus) and later at Festung Libau (Liepāja, Latvia) within the Courland Pocket, where it surrendered in May 1945.
Commanders
- Generaloberst Karl-Adolf Hollidt (26 August – 8 September 1939)
- Generaloberst Hans-Jürgen von Arnim (8 September 1939 – 5 October 1940)
- Generaloberst Lothar Rendulic (10 October 1940 – 1 November 1942)
- Generalleutnant Rudolf Peschel (1 November 1942 – 1 November 1943)
- Generalmajor Albert Newiger (10 December 1943 – 5 September 1944)
- Generalleutnant Albrecht Baron Digeon von Monteton (5 September 1944 – 9 May 1945; taken prisoner and executed in February 1946)
Organization
The division's structure included:
- 52nd Division Headquarters
- 152nd Protection Company
- 152nd Supply Company
- 152nd Divisional Supply Troops
Engagements
- Western Front (1940): Invasion of France (Luxembourg, Belgium, Aisne, Champagne, Dijon)
- Eastern Front (1941–1943): Operation Barbarossa (Vilnius, Minsk, Moscow, Nevel)
- Courland Pocket (1944–1945)
