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{{refimprove|date=March 2016}}
{{refimprove|date=March 2016}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = 352nd Infantry Division
| unit_name = 352nd Infantry Division<br>352nd Volksgrenadier Division
| image = [[Image:352nd Infanterie-Division logo.jpg|125px]]
| native_name = {{langx|de|352. Infanterie-Division}}<br>{{langx|de|352. Volksgrenadier-Division|label=none}}
| caption = Unit insignia
| image = 352nd Infanterie-Division logo.jpg
| dates = November 1943 – 8 May 1945
| image_size = 125
| country = {{flag|Nazi Germany}}
| caption = Unit insignia
| branch = [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Army]]
| dates = November 1943 – 8 May 1945
| type = [[Infantry]]
| country = {{flag|Nazi Germany}}
| size = Division 10,971–17,708 (in 1944) <ref>Handbook on German Military Forces</ref>
| branch = [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|Army]]
| command_structure =
| type = [[Infantry]]
| garrison =
| size = [[Division (military)|Division]]
| command_structure =
<!-- Commanders -->
| Past_commanders =
| garrison = <!-- Commanders -->
| notable_commanders = [[Dietrich Kraiss]]
| Past_commanders =
| notable_commanders = [[Dietrich Kraiss]]
<!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol =
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol =
| identification_symbol_2 =
| identification_symbol_2 = <!-- Culture and history -->
⚫
| nickname =
<!-- Culture and history -->
| nickname =
| patron =
| patron =
| motto =
| motto =
| colors =
| colors =
| march =
| march =
| mascot =
| mascot =
| battles = [[Normandy landings|D-Day]]<br>[[Battle of the Bulge]]
⚫
| battles = [[World War II]]
* [[Normandy landings|D-Day]]
* [[Battle of the Bulge]]
}}
}}


The '''352nd Infantry Division''' (''352. Infanterie-Division'') was a formation of the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]] during [[World War II]]. Deployed on the [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]], the division defended [[Omaha Beach]] on [[Normandy landings|D-Day]], 6 June 1944.
The '''352nd Infantry Division''' ({{Langx|de|352. Infanterie-Division}}) was an infantry division of the [[German Army (Wehrmacht)|German Army]] during [[World War II]]. Deployed on the [[Western Front (World War II)|Western Front]], the division defended [[Omaha Beach]] on [[Normandy landings|D-Day]], 6 June 1944. In late 1944, the division was reassembled as the '''352nd Volksgrenadier Division''' ({{Langx|de|352. Volksgrenadier-Division|links=no}}).


== History ==
== History ==

===Formation and strengths===
===Formation and strengths===
The 352nd Infantry Division was activated in France in early November 1943, and was formed following a German high command order issued in September that year to raise 10 new infantry divisions, intended to replace losses on the Eastern front, these new Divisions were to be combat ready by May 1944. The 352nd was formed as a 1944 Model Infantry Division, which meant 3 Infantry Regiments, each with 2 Rifle battalions and the total strength of this type of Division was 12,700 men. The 352nd was placed under the command of ''[[Generalleutnant]]'' [[Dietrich Kraiss]] and once up to strength and trained the 352nd was expected to transfer to the Eastern Front as a mobile Divison, however there was no clear timetable or confirmation of that deployment and by March 1944 with an Allied invasion in the West expected that year the 352nd received orders to prepare for the defence of the so called Atlantic Wall, in the Normandy area as part of LXXXIV Corps. The 352nd was a mix of experienced soldiers drawn largely from disbanded Eastern front Divisions and German 17 year old conscripts (from the class of 1926) as well as a significant number of Ost troops (non German volunteers from areas East of its borders), these Ost troops were largely employed in Divisional combat support roles, such as Pioneers. Throughout the training period there were shortages of both men, equipment and fuel but by February 1944 the Division was considered combat ready and placed in reserve around the area of St Lo, Normandy.
The 352nd Infantry Division was formed in [[German-occupied France|occupied France]] in early November 1943; this followed the [[Oberkommando der Wehrmacht|German High Command]] order issued in September that year to raise ten new infantry divisions to replace losses on the [[Eastern Front (World War II)|Eastern Front]]. These new divisions were to be combat ready by May 1944. The 352nd was placed under the command of ''[[Generalleutnant]]'' [[Dietrich Kraiss]]. Once up to strength and trained, the 352nd was expected to transfer to the Eastern Front, however there was no clear timetable or confirmation of that deployment and by March 1944, with the threat of an Allied invasion in the West, the 352nd received orders to prepare for the defence of the [[Atlantic Wall]], in the [[Normandy]] area. The 352nd, when formed, was a mix of experienced soldiers drawn from worn-out or disbanded divisions that had served on the Eastern front, young German conscripts and a significant number of [[Ostlegionen|Ost]] volunteers, the latter mainly employed in divisional support roles. Throughout the training period there were shortages of men, equipment, and fuel and by early 1944 the division, though reasonably equipped, was far from properly prepared for front-line infantry combat.


Expecting an Allied invasion in 1944 somewhere on the long coast of France the Germans prepared the Normandy coast as a highly probable landing area, however with limited Divisions and a Normandy coastal area extending 100km, Field Marshal Rommel (Army Group B Commander) made the decision after a visit to the area in February 1944 to bring slightly forward the 352nd from St Lo and split the Normandy defensive area in half, by providing the static 716th Division with a shortened 47&nbsp;km long 'Caen zone', (supported by 21 Panzer) and deploying the 352nd Infantry Division to defend the 53&nbsp;km long 'Bayeux zone.', this meant placing the 352 Division between the [[709th Static Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|709th Static Infantry Division]] and the [[716th Static Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|716th Static Infantry Division]], effectively doubling the number of troops in the Omaha beach area (and committing the 352nd to a static role). Even with this move and the benefit of all the fortifications under construction, this frontage was still far beyond what was considered prudent in German tactical doctrine.<ref>McNab, Chris (2011). Hitler's Armies: A history of the German War Machine 1939–45. Osprey Publishing. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-84908-647-9.</ref> This move (which effectively removed the 352nd from being a Corps reserve) led to a number of disagreements between Field Marshal Rommel, General Dietrich Kraiss and General Marks (LXXXIV Corps Commander) on how best to deploy the Grenadier Regiments of the 352nd, In the end it was decided that two infantry regiments would be stationed forward at the coast, and one strengthened regiment (the 915 regiment with the Fusilier battalion attached) would remain as Corps reserve, however there were other complications with this arrangement that included a battalion of the 716th Division being attached to 352 (1/726). These moves were made from the 19th March 1944.
With the Normandy coastal area extending 100&nbsp;km, Field Marshal [[Erwin Rommel|Rommel]] made the decision to split the area in half, by providing the static 716th Division with a shortened 47&nbsp;km long '[[Caen]] zone', (supported by the [[21st Panzer Division (Wehrmacht)|21st Panzer Division]]) and deploying the 352nd Infantry Division to defend the 53&nbsp;km long '[[Bayeux]] zone' (bringing the 352nd in between the 709th Division and the 716th Division). Even with the benefit of all the fortifications under construction, this frontage was still far beyond what was considered prudent in German tactical doctrine.<ref>McNab, Chris (2011). Hitler's Armies: A history of the German War Machine 1939–45. Osprey Publishing. p. 270. {{ISBN|978-1-84908-647-9}}.</ref> This led to a number of disagreements between Rommel, [[Dietrich Kraiss]] and the Corps Commander on how best to deploy the Grenadier Regiments of the 352nd. In the end it was decided that two infantry regiments would be stationed forward, and one infantry regiment would be left in [[Military reserve|reserve]]. However, the Regimental Commands were disrupted as some battalions were operating independently.


On the divisional right flank just south of Bayeux, Grenadier Regiment 915, (with 2 battalions) were positioned as a counterattack reserve, along with the Fusilier battalion. On the divisional left flank the 2nd Battalion of Grenadier Regiment 914 was positioned behind the gun emplacement at [[Pointe du Hoc]]. In the centre of the Divisional area was the 2nd Battalion of Grenadier Regiment 916, defending Omaha beach. The self-propelled [[Panzerjäger|anti tank]] battalion were positioned between the left and centre Divisional areas, in reserve. The 1st Battalion of GR 916 were deployed to the 716th Division’s defence sector and would oppose the [[United Kingdom|British]] in the western area of [[Gold Beach]].
The Allies only became aware of the possible presence of a regiment from the 352nd alongside the forward units of 716th just days before the landings and then only at a senior level, despite it being in place for almost 3 months.


⚫
===D-Day===
Another decision was taken at the time that would have greatly influenced the battle to come, it was proposed to Rommel that the LXXIV Corps be moved from Brittany into the Normandy area to provide additional manpower to that sector, however on the grounds that Brittany was also a probable landing site for the Allies this was rejected.
⚫
The 352nd began its coastal duty by improving the beach obstacles, emplacing mined stakes and timber structures. This involved not only cutting and hauling timber from miles inland, but also driving stakes and piles deep into the sand. The first band of obstacles – about {{convert|250|yd|ft}} out from the waterline at high tide – consisted of '[[Cointet-element|Belgian&nbsp;Gates]]' – reinforced iron frames with supports that were built atop rollers. Next came a band of mined stakes and log ramps, meant to tear the bottoms out of landing craft or tip them over. Finally, there was a row of metal obstacles, including 'hedgehogs', made of steel rails. Although the Germans had attached mines to many of the obstacles, few of them were waterproofed, and corrosion had long since taken its toll of many of the explosive devices.


By June 1944, many of the coastal strongpoints in their sector were still being manned by personnel from the 726th Infantry Regiment, of the neighboring 716th Division. As a tradeoff, one infantry battalion from the 352nd Division was placed under the command of the 716th Division to help shore up their defenses. In the 'Bayeux zone', 914th regiment was stationed in the west, 916th regiment was stationed in the east, while 915th regiment was in reserve to the south. The soldiers of the 916th and 726th Regiments occupied slit trenches, eight concrete bunkers, 35 pillboxes, six mortar pits, sites for 35 [[Nebelwerfer]], (multi-barrel rocket launchers) and 85 machine-gun nests. The defenses were clustered in strongpoints. In the early hours of 6 June the first reports of Allied activity in the 352nd zone came from the [[Cotentin Peninsula]] and elements of the 915th Grenadier Regiment were dispatched to investigate, those units manning the defences on the coast also reported large numbers of vessels out to sea, and just before sunrise at 06:00 the allied naval bombardment began, ending 35 minutes later as US tanks and the first wave of infantry landed on the beach to a hail of fire from the heavily fortified strongpoints. Throughout the morning the Americans received heavy casualties on the beach but by 13:00 groups of US soldiers were in possession of key fortifications, had reached some heights overlooking the beach, and opened several beach exits. Just after 15:00 the 916th Grenadier Regiment counterattacked from the [[Colleville-sur-Mer]] area but was forced to fall back once again, at around 17:00 the village of [[St. Laurent-sur-Mer]] fell to the Americans.
⚫
===D Day Deployment===


The [[916th Grenadier Regiment (Wehrmacht)|916th Grenadier Regiment]] and a mix of other units either already in place or brought forward throughout the day defended Omaha beach against the landings of the US [[1st Infantry Division (United States)|1st]] and [[29th Infantry Division (United States)|29th]] Divisions at Omaha Beach, holding the bluffs above the beach for several hours, inflicting heavy casualties, before being overwhelmed. The survivors of the 916 Grenadier battalion along with other units retreated in the morning hours of 7 June after the commander, Colonel Ernst Goth, could no longer hold the positions retaken in the night of 6/7 June.
The 352nd Infantry Division had moved forwards from its reserve position around St Lo and on the 19th March 1944 and took responsibility for the defensive areas previously controlled by the stretched [[716th Static Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)|716th Static Infantry Division]] , 1 Battalion of the 716th remained in place at the coastal position (the 1/726) and this was transferred to the command of the 352nd Division. The 3rd battalion of the 352nd artillery Regiment also took over coastal positions (2 battalion had already been deployed to the coast in January) and they came under the control of the 716th Division.


⚫
===After the invasion===
A battalion of [[916th Grenadier Regiment]] (II/916) was placed at the Omaha beach, alongside I/726 and the 2nd battalion of the 916 (II/916) was transferred to the command of the 716 Division, as its Divisional reserve. The [[914th Grenadier Regiment (Wehrmacht)|914th Grenadier Regiment]] was stationed to the East of the Omaha sector, just south of [[Point du Hoe]], while [[915th Grenadier Regiment]] with the Divisions Fusilier battalion was held as LXXXIV Corps reserve to the south of Bayeux. The 352nd assault and anti tank armoured vehicles were positioned just South of the 915 Regiment, ready to support where required.
The 352nd was shattered in the fighting during June and July 1944, and having taken heavy casualties by 30 July it was considered no longer capable of operating as a division, the survivors having been amalgamated into various ad hoc battle groups and other divisions.


⚫
It was reformed as the '''352nd ''[[Volksgrenadier]] Division''''' in September 1944 and fought in the [[Battle of the Bulge]]. Thereafter, it fought defensively around [[Trier]] and the [[Moselle]] until in mid-March 1945 it was once again considered not to be strong enough to be an active division, with only the remnants escaping across the [[Rhine]] at [[Worms, Germany|Worms]]. It was partially reconstituted one last time as a [[Kampfgruppe|battlegroup]] in mid-April and surrendered near [[Darmstadt]].
===Battle for Omaha beach===
⚫
The 352nd began its coastal duty by improving the coastal obstacles (at the beach the allies had codenamed 'Omaha'), emplacing additional mined stakes and timber structures. This involved not only cutting and hauling timber from forest 12 miles inland, but also driving stakes and piles deep into the tidal sands. The first band of obstacles - about {{convert|250|yd|ft}} out from the waterline at high tide - consisted of '[[Cointet-element|Belgian&nbsp;Gates]]' - reinforced iron frames with supports that were built atop rollers. Next came a band of mined stakes and log ramps, meant to tear the bottoms out of landing craft or tip them over. Finally, there was a row of metal obstacles, including 'hedgehogs', made of steel rails. Although the Germans had attached mines to many of the obstacles, few of them were waterproofed, and corrosion had long since taken its toll of many of the explosive devices. Also the shortages of materials as a result of allied bombings on production facilities and transport systems meant that LXXXIV Corps would report as late as May that the defensive construction plan was only half finished, this included coastal batteries.

On June 6th 1944 the soldiers of the 1/916th and the 1/726th Regiments together with artillery troops occupied the positions at Omaha beach, these included numerous slit trenches, eight concrete bunkers, 35 pillboxes, six mortar pits, sites for 35 [[Nebelwerfer]], (multi-barrel rocket launchers) and 85 machine-gun nests, these defences were clustered around well prepared strongpoints. The American forces assaulting the beach were from V Corps, led by the 16th Infantry Regiment (1st US Infantry Division) and the 116th Infantry Regiment (the 116th was attached to the 1st Division from the 29th Division) and [[5th rangers|5th Battalion US Rangers]], they would be reinforced at H Plus 3 hours by the arrival of the [[18th Infantry Regiment (United States)|18th US Infantry]] & the [[26th U.S. Infantry|26th Infantry]]

⚫
===After the invasion===
⚫
The 352nd was shattered in the fighting during June and July 1944, and having taken heavy casualties by the 30 July it was considered no longer capable of Operating as a Division, the survivors having been amalgamated into various ad hoc battle groups and other Divisions. It was reformed as the '''352nd ''[[Volksgrenadier]] Division''''' in September 1944 and fought in the [[Battle of the Bulge]]. Thereafter, it fought defensively around [[Trier]] and the [[Moselle]] until in mid-March 1945 it was once again considered not to be strong enough to be an active Division, with only the remnants escaping across the [[Rhine]] at [[Worms, Germany|Worms]]. It was partially reconstituted one last time as a battlegroup in mid-April and surrendered near [[Darmstadt]].


==Werner Pluskat==
==Werner Pluskat==
Major [[Werner Pluskat]], who was featured in [[Cornelius Ryan]]'s book ''[[The Longest Day (book)|The Longest Day]]'', was in the 352nd Artillery (''Artillerie Regiment'') and fired his guns on Omaha Beach until he ran out of ammunition. He was forward observer on 'WN60 – Resistance Point 60'<ref>http://www.omaha-beach.org/The%20Beach/TheBeach.html</ref> above the beach on the Eastern flank.
Major [[Werner Pluskat]], who was featured in [[Cornelius Ryan]]'s book ''[[The Longest Day (book)|The Longest Day]]'', and the later movie of the same name, was in the 352nd Artillery (''Artillerie Regiment'') and fired his guns on Omaha Beach until he ran out of ammunition. He was forward observer on 'WN59 – Resistance Point 59'<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.omaha-beach.org/The%20Beach/TheBeach.html |title=The Germans at Omaha-Beach |access-date=9 January 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614051007/http://www.omaha-beach.org/The%20Beach/TheBeach.html |archive-date=14 June 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> above the beach on the Eastern flank.


== Order of battle ==
== Order of battle ==
Line 63: Line 56:


* '''[[914th Grenadier Regiment (Wehrmacht)|914. Grenadier Regiment]]'''
* '''[[914th Grenadier Regiment (Wehrmacht)|914. Grenadier Regiment]]'''
** 2 x 15&nbsp;cm sIG 33
** 2 x [[15 cm sIG 33|15&nbsp;cm sIG 33]]
** 6 x 7.5&nbsp;cm leIG
** 6 x [[7.5 cm leichtes Infanteriegeschütz 18|7.5&nbsp;cm leIG]]
** 3 x 7.5&nbsp;cm ''[[PaK]] 40''
** 3 x [[7.5 cm Pak 40|7.5&nbsp;cm ''PaK 40'']]
* '''915. Grenadier Regiment'''
* '''915. Grenadier Regiment'''
** 2 x 15&nbsp;cm sIG 33
** 2 x 15&nbsp;cm sIG 33
Line 75: Line 68:
** 3 x 7.5&nbsp;cm ''PaK 40''
** 3 x 7.5&nbsp;cm ''PaK 40''
* '''''352. [[Panzerjäger]] Abteilung'''''
* '''''352. [[Panzerjäger]] Abteilung'''''
** 14 x [[Marder II]] and [[Marder III]] variant ''Panzerjäger''
** 14 x [[Marder II]] and [[Marder III]] variant ''[[Panzerjäger]]''
** 10 x ''[[StuG III]] Ausf. G'' assault guns
** 10 x ''[[StuG III]] Ausf. G'' [[assault gun]]s
** 9 x ''[[Flakpanzer 38(t)|FlaKPanzer 38]]'' Self-Propelled ''[[Flak]]''
** 9 x ''[[Flakpanzer 38(t)|FlaKPanzer 38]]'' [[Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon|Self-Propelled]] ''[[Flak]]''
* '''''352. [[Artillery|Artillerie]] Regiment'''''
* '''''352. [[Artillery|Artillerie]] Regiment'''''
** ''1-9.Batterie'' - 36 x 10.5&nbsp;cm leFH 16
** ''1–9.Batterie'' – 36 x [[10.5&nbsp;cm leFH 16]]
** ''10-12.Batterie'' - 12 x 15&nbsp;cm sFH 18
** ''10–12.Batterie'' – 12 x [[15 cm sFH 18|15&nbsp;cm sFH 18]]
* '''''352. [[Pioneer (military)|Pioniere]] Battalion'''''
* '''''352. [[Pioneer (military)|Pioniere]] Battalion'''''
** 20 x ''[[Flamethrower|Flammenwerfer]]''
** 20 x ''[[Flamethrower|Flammenwerfer]]''
** 6 x ''[[Mortar (weapon)|Granatwerfer]]''
** 6 x ''[[Mortar (weapon)|Granatwerfer]]''
* '''352. [[Fusilier]] Battalion''' (''1. Kompanie'' was bicycle mounted)
* '''352. [[Fusilier]] Battalion''' (''1. Kompanie'' was [[Bicycle infantry|bicycle mounted]])
* '''''Feld-[[Ersatz]] Battalion'''''
* '''''Feld-[[Ersatz]] Battalion'''''
** 6 x 8&nbsp;cm ''Granatwerfer 34''
** 6 x [[8 cm Granatwerfer 34|8&nbsp;cm ''Granatwerfer 34'']]
** 1 x 5&nbsp;cm ''PaK 38''
** 1 x [[5 cm Pak 38|5&nbsp;cm ''PaK 38'']]
** 1 x 7.5&nbsp;cm ''PaK''
** 1 x 7.5&nbsp;cm ''PaK-40''
** 1 x 10.5&nbsp;cm ''Feldhaubitze''
** 1 x [[10.5&nbsp;cm Feldhaubitze 98/09|10.5&nbsp;cm ''Feldhaubitze'']]
** 1 x ''Infanterie Geschütz''
** 1 x ''Infanterie [[Panzer IV|Geschütz]]''
** 2 x ''Flammenwerfer''
** 2 x ''[[Flammenwerfer]]''
* '''Supply Train / Signals Troops'''
* '''Supply Train / Signals Troops'''
*If organised on Infantry Division, Old Type, lines in 1944, division should number at full strength around 17,200 (excluding attached Fusilier Battalion). The division still retained the old regimental establishment of three battalions (whereas most German Infantry divisions in 1944 had two battalions per regiment). But, these battalions may have been reduced in size, so the strength can vary between 10,971 and the 17,200.
*If organised on Infantry Division, Old Type, lines in 1944, division should number at full strength around 17,200 (excluding attached Fusilier Battalion). The division still retained the old regimental establishment of three battalions (whereas most German Infantry divisions in 1944 had two battalions per regiment). But, these battalions may have been reduced in size, so the strength can vary between 10,971 and the 17,200.
Line 103: Line 96:
*{{Cite book|last=Barbier|first=Mary|year=2007|title=D-day deception: Operation Fortitude and the Normandy invasion|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-99479-2}}
*{{Cite book|last=Barbier|first=Mary|year=2007|title=D-day deception: Operation Fortitude and the Normandy invasion|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-275-99479-2}}
*{{Cite book|last=Ramsey|first=Winston G|year=1995|title=D-Day then and now, Volume 1|publisher=Battle of Britain Prints International|isbn=0-900913-84-3}}
*{{Cite book|last=Ramsey|first=Winston G|year=1995|title=D-Day then and now, Volume 1|publisher=Battle of Britain Prints International|isbn=0-900913-84-3}}
{{Numbered infantry divisions of the Wehrmacht}}{{Volksgrenadier divisions of the Wehrmacht}}
* Channel Attack, Gordon A. Harrison, Published by Konecky & Konecky


{{Subject bar
| portal1=Military of Germany
| portal2=World War II
}}

⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}


[[Category:German units in Normandy|Infantry 352]]
[[Category:German units in Normandy|Infantry 352]]

Latest revision as of 14:24, 21 October 2024

352nd Infantry Division
352nd Volksgrenadier Division
German: 352. Infanterie-Division
352. Volksgrenadier-Division
Unit insignia
ActiveNovember 1943 – 8 May 1945
Country Nazi Germany
BranchArmy
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
EngagementsD-Day
Battle of the Bulge
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Dietrich Kraiss

The 352nd Infantry Division (German: 352. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Army during World War II. Deployed on the Western Front, the division defended Omaha Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944. In late 1944, the division was reassembled as the 352nd Volksgrenadier Division (German: 352. Volksgrenadier-Division).

History

[edit]

Formation and strengths

[edit]

The 352nd Infantry Division was formed in occupied France in early November 1943; this followed the German High Command order issued in September that year to raise ten new infantry divisions to replace losses on the Eastern Front. These new divisions were to be combat ready by May 1944. The 352nd was placed under the command of Generalleutnant Dietrich Kraiss. Once up to strength and trained, the 352nd was expected to transfer to the Eastern Front, however there was no clear timetable or confirmation of that deployment and by March 1944, with the threat of an Allied invasion in the West, the 352nd received orders to prepare for the defence of the Atlantic Wall, in the Normandy area. The 352nd, when formed, was a mix of experienced soldiers drawn from worn-out or disbanded divisions that had served on the Eastern front, young German conscripts and a significant number of Ost volunteers, the latter mainly employed in divisional support roles. Throughout the training period there were shortages of men, equipment, and fuel and by early 1944 the division, though reasonably equipped, was far from properly prepared for front-line infantry combat.

With the Normandy coastal area extending 100 km, Field Marshal Rommel made the decision to split the area in half, by providing the static 716th Division with a shortened 47 km long 'Caen zone', (supported by the 21st Panzer Division) and deploying the 352nd Infantry Division to defend the 53 km long 'Bayeux zone' (bringing the 352nd in between the 709th Division and the 716th Division). Even with the benefit of all the fortifications under construction, this frontage was still far beyond what was considered prudent in German tactical doctrine.[1] This led to a number of disagreements between Rommel, Dietrich Kraiss and the Corps Commander on how best to deploy the Grenadier Regiments of the 352nd. In the end it was decided that two infantry regiments would be stationed forward, and one infantry regiment would be left in reserve. However, the Regimental Commands were disrupted as some battalions were operating independently.

On the divisional right flank just south of Bayeux, Grenadier Regiment 915, (with 2 battalions) were positioned as a counterattack reserve, along with the Fusilier battalion. On the divisional left flank the 2nd Battalion of Grenadier Regiment 914 was positioned behind the gun emplacement at Pointe du Hoc. In the centre of the Divisional area was the 2nd Battalion of Grenadier Regiment 916, defending Omaha beach. The self-propelled anti tank battalion were positioned between the left and centre Divisional areas, in reserve. The 1st Battalion of GR 916 were deployed to the 716th Division’s defence sector and would oppose the British in the western area of Gold Beach.

D-Day

[edit]

The 352nd began its coastal duty by improving the beach obstacles, emplacing mined stakes and timber structures. This involved not only cutting and hauling timber from miles inland, but also driving stakes and piles deep into the sand. The first band of obstacles – about 250 yards (750 ft) out from the waterline at high tide – consisted of 'Belgian Gates' – reinforced iron frames with supports that were built atop rollers. Next came a band of mined stakes and log ramps, meant to tear the bottoms out of landing craft or tip them over. Finally, there was a row of metal obstacles, including 'hedgehogs', made of steel rails. Although the Germans had attached mines to many of the obstacles, few of them were waterproofed, and corrosion had long since taken its toll of many of the explosive devices.

By June 1944, many of the coastal strongpoints in their sector were still being manned by personnel from the 726th Infantry Regiment, of the neighboring 716th Division. As a tradeoff, one infantry battalion from the 352nd Division was placed under the command of the 716th Division to help shore up their defenses. In the 'Bayeux zone', 914th regiment was stationed in the west, 916th regiment was stationed in the east, while 915th regiment was in reserve to the south. The soldiers of the 916th and 726th Regiments occupied slit trenches, eight concrete bunkers, 35 pillboxes, six mortar pits, sites for 35 Nebelwerfer, (multi-barrel rocket launchers) and 85 machine-gun nests. The defenses were clustered in strongpoints. In the early hours of 6 June the first reports of Allied activity in the 352nd zone came from the Cotentin Peninsula and elements of the 915th Grenadier Regiment were dispatched to investigate, those units manning the defences on the coast also reported large numbers of vessels out to sea, and just before sunrise at 06:00 the allied naval bombardment began, ending 35 minutes later as US tanks and the first wave of infantry landed on the beach to a hail of fire from the heavily fortified strongpoints. Throughout the morning the Americans received heavy casualties on the beach but by 13:00 groups of US soldiers were in possession of key fortifications, had reached some heights overlooking the beach, and opened several beach exits. Just after 15:00 the 916th Grenadier Regiment counterattacked from the Colleville-sur-Mer area but was forced to fall back once again, at around 17:00 the village of St. Laurent-sur-Mer fell to the Americans.

The 916th Grenadier Regiment and a mix of other units either already in place or brought forward throughout the day defended Omaha beach against the landings of the US 1st and 29th Divisions at Omaha Beach, holding the bluffs above the beach for several hours, inflicting heavy casualties, before being overwhelmed. The survivors of the 916 Grenadier battalion along with other units retreated in the morning hours of 7 June after the commander, Colonel Ernst Goth, could no longer hold the positions retaken in the night of 6/7 June.

After the invasion

[edit]

The 352nd was shattered in the fighting during June and July 1944, and having taken heavy casualties by 30 July it was considered no longer capable of operating as a division, the survivors having been amalgamated into various ad hoc battle groups and other divisions.

It was reformed as the 352nd Volksgrenadier Division in September 1944 and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Thereafter, it fought defensively around Trier and the Moselle until in mid-March 1945 it was once again considered not to be strong enough to be an active division, with only the remnants escaping across the Rhine at Worms. It was partially reconstituted one last time as a battlegroup in mid-April and surrendered near Darmstadt.

Werner Pluskat

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Major Werner Pluskat, who was featured in Cornelius Ryan's book The Longest Day, and the later movie of the same name, was in the 352nd Artillery (Artillerie Regiment) and fired his guns on Omaha Beach until he ran out of ammunition. He was forward observer on 'WN59 – Resistance Point 59'[2] above the beach on the Eastern flank.

Order of battle

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The 352nd's order of battle on the eve of the Allied Invasion was as follows (NB: the artillery component is also shown):

References

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  1. ^ McNab, Chris (2011). Hitler's Armies: A history of the German War Machine 1939–45. Osprey Publishing. p. 270. ISBN 978-1-84908-647-9.
  2. ^ "The Germans at Omaha-Beach". Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2006.

Sources

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