XXVIII Army Corps (Wehrmacht)

The XXVIII Army Corps was a German Wehrmacht corps formed on February 1, 1941, in Wehrkreis I (East Prussia). It primarily served on the Eastern Front during World War II, seeing extensive action in the northern sector.

Operational History:

Initially, the XXVIII Army Corps was deployed as part of Army Group North during Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. It participated in the advance through the Baltic States, contributing to the encirclement and capture of numerous Soviet troops. The corps was involved in the siege of Leningrad, holding positions on the Volkhov River and later near Lake Ladoga. Throughout the siege, the XXVIII Army Corps faced constant Soviet counterattacks and offensives aimed at relieving the city.

The corps remained in the northern sector of the Eastern Front for the majority of the war. As the strategic situation deteriorated for the Wehrmacht, the XXVIII Army Corps found itself increasingly on the defensive. It participated in fierce fighting during the Soviet offensives of 1944, including Operation Bagration, and suffered heavy losses.

The XXVIII Army Corps retreated through the Baltic states, facing relentless pressure from the advancing Red Army. It was eventually encircled and largely destroyed in the Courland Pocket in 1945. Elements of the corps fought on until the German surrender in May 1945.

Commanders:

• General der Infanterie Mauritz von Wiktorin (February 1, 1941 – June 27, 1941)
• General der Infanterie Herbert Loch (June 27, 1941 – May 1, 1943)
• General der Artillerie Wilhelm Berlin (May 1, 1943 – March 31, 1944)
• General der Infanterie Hans Gollnick (March 31, 1944 – January 20, 1945)
• Generalleutnant Gerhard Matzky (January 20, 1945 – April 20, 1945)
• General der Infanterie Martin Grase (April 20, 1945 – May 8, 1945)

Subordinate Units (Examples):

The composition of the XXVIII Army Corps varied throughout the war depending on operational requirements. Typical subordinate units included:

• Infantry Divisions
• Panzer Divisions (at various times)
• Security Divisions
• Artillery Regiments
• Support Units

Fate:

The XXVIII Army Corps was largely destroyed in the Courland Pocket, with surviving elements surrendering to the Soviet forces in May 1945.