357th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)

The 357th Infantry Division was a German infantry division that fought during World War II. It was formed on November 5, 1943, in the Münster area as part of the 21st wave of infantry divisions. The division's personnel primarily consisted of conscripts from the 1924-1926 age groups.

The division was initially deployed to France, specifically the Brittany region, where it served in coastal defense and occupation duties. Its role was to defend against potential Allied landings. As the Allied invasion of Normandy commenced in June 1944, the 357th Infantry Division was moved towards the battle zone.

The division engaged in heavy fighting in Normandy, particularly around the Falaise Pocket. It suffered significant casualties during the Allied offensive, and was largely destroyed in the subsequent encirclement. Surviving elements of the division managed to escape the pocket.

Following its near-destruction in Normandy, the 357th Infantry Division was reconstituted, albeit with considerably reduced strength. It continued to fight on the Western Front, participating in the defense of Germany. The division saw action in the Ardennes offensive (Battle of the Bulge) in December 1944 and January 1945.

As the war drew to a close, the 357th Infantry Division was further weakened and fragmented. The remaining elements fought in defensive battles as the Allied forces advanced into Germany. The division eventually surrendered to Allied forces in May 1945.

The division's commanders included Generalmajor August Dettling (November 1943 – October 1944), Generalmajor Joseph Riederer von Dachsberg (October 1944 – February 1945), and Oberst Otto Meier (February 1945 – April 1945).