542nd Grenadier Division

The 542nd Grenadier Division (German: 542. Grenadier-Division) was a German military unit during World War II.

542nd Grenadier Division
542nd Volksgrenadier Division
542. Grenadier-Division
542. Volksgrenadier-Division
542. Volks-Grenadier Division Vehicle Insignia
Country Nazi Germany
BranchArmy
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Generalleutnant Karl Löwrick

History

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The 542. Sperr-Division was created on 8 July 1944 as part of the 29th Aufstellungswelle in Truppenübungsplatz Stablack. On 15 July 1944, the Division was renamed 542. Grenadier-Division and sent to the Eastern Front as part of Army Group Centre.
On 12 August 1944, the unit was renamed 542nd Infantry Division, and again renamed on 9 October 1944 to 542nd Volksgrenadier Division.

The Division was pushed into the Hel Peninsula during the Soviet East Prussian offensive and surrendered in April 1945

Commanders

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References

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  • Tessin, Georg (1975). "Die Landstreitkräfte 501—630". Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht und Waffen SS im Zweiten Weltkrieg 1939—1945 (in German). Vol. 11. Osnabrück: Biblio. pp. 112–113.