6.Infanterie-Division

The 6. Infanterie-Division was formed in Bielefeld on 15 October 1935 from the cover name Infanterieführer VI. 
The infantry regiments were formed from the 16.Infanterie-Regiment of the 6.Division of the Reichswehr.

The 6.Infanterie first saw action in 1940 under Generalmajor von Biegelben in France, where it earned a reputation as an effective fighting unit. 

In June, 1941 it took part in the invasion of Russia as part of 9.Armee under Heeresgruppe Mitte. The division took part in heavy fighting on the drive to Moscow but managed to cross the Volga river north of the Russian capital in late November. It was in an exposed position when the Soviet winter offensive began, holding some 16 miles of frontage when the average was around six miles against a determined assault. Still, the 6th gave ground only grudgingly, moving back gradually, both inflicting and sustaining heavy casualties. The division remained with Heeresgruppe Mitte for the next two and a half years.

In 1942 it fought in the defensive battles on the central sector of the eastern front, while notably, in March 1943 taking part in 9.Armee's brilliant retreat from the Rzhev salient - a manuever which freed a dozen divisons from very precarious circumstances. In July 1943, under Generalleutnant Horst Grossman (1943-44) it was involved in the Kursk battles as part of XLVII Panzer Korps. The division later fought heavily in the rear-guard defensive battles of the middle-Dnieper.

The 6th was smashed in the Soviet Summer offensive of 1944 along with most of the rest of Heeresgruppe Mitte. Most of the division was surrounded with XXXV.Korps and forced to surrender. It was destroyed on June 6, 1944, and officially disbanded on July 18, 1944.

The Division was reformed on July 25, 1944 in Sennelager as the 6.Grenadier-Division.


Sourced:Feldgrau.com