206., 213., 218. and 239. Infanterie-Divisionen, May 1940

[CNE503]

Hello,

Does anyone know where were these divisions on May 10th, 1940?
They were transferred from Poland to the Western front sometimes between April and May 1940, but where did they go?
I think the 206., 213. and 218. Infanterie-Divisionen were OKH general reserves, whereas the 239. Infanterie-Division joined the 7. Armee along the Rhine. But am I right?

Thanks for any help provided,
Cheers,

CNE503

[Leo Niehorster]

Hi,
On 10 May 1940:
  206: under Grenzabschnittskommando Nord, Oberost
  213: at Miedzyrzee, under Generalkommando XXXV. AK, Grenzabschnittskommando Mitte, Oberost
  218: at Pulawy, under Generalkommando XXXVI. AK, Grenzabschnittskommando Mitte, Oberost

Cheers
Leo

[CNE503]

Hello doctor,

Thanks to intervene on this thread. Indeed, I've found that these divisions were still in the Oberost area of operations on May 10th, 1940. But...
But several credible sources seem to disagree. This is non exhaustive:
- Gerhard L. WEINBERG, Germany and the Soviet Union, E.J. Brill editions, 1954, 218 pages): "Accordingly, the Germans had left along the eastern border on May 7, 1940 only four regular and nine territorial (Landesschützen) divisions" (p.98) with a reference to "Germany, OKW, WFA, "Übersicht (über die deutsche Heeresverteilung)", 7 May 1940, 1783 - PS (photostat, 1p.)";
- http://www.lexikonderwehrmacht.de:
---> for the 206. Infanterie Division: "Nach Beendigung des Polenfeldzuges verblieb die Division als Besatzungstruppe in Nordpolen. Mit Beginn des Westfeldzuges wurde die Division dann als OKH-Reserve in die Eifel verlegt und marschierte dann in den Raum zwischen Dinant und Sedan." (http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /206ID.htm);
---> for the 213. Infanterie Division: "ach der Beendigung des Polenfeldzuges verblieb die Division als Besatzungstruppe in Polen im Raum Posen. Nach dem Beginn des Westfeldzuges wurde die Division nach Westen zur 7. Armee verlegt" (http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /213ID.htm);
---> for the 218. Infanterie Division: "Im Mai 1940 wurde die Division in den Westen verlegt" (http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gli ... /218ID.htm).
- http://www.maparchive.ru:
---> for the 206. Infanterie Division: "Transfer and offensive engagements; area: Saint-Vith, Malmedy, Belgium, Charleville, Givet, Soissons, Amiens, France; date: (around) June 2nd, 1940";
---> for the 213. Infanterie Division: "Transfer (from the Posen area) to Furtwangen, Baden, 1-6 June 1940";
---> for the 218. Infanterie Division: "Training in Altengrabow (near Magdeburg) from April 29th, 1940; transfer from May 31st, 1940 to Freudenstadt, Biberach, Offenburg to XXVII. Armeekorps (7. Armee) as of May 29th, 1940".

The 239. Infanterie Division is mentionned in your excellent order of battle, but it seemed to have been transferred to the Protectorat of Bohemia-Moravia from May 1st, 1940, and then to Freiburg from May 31st, 1940.

Long story short: sources are conflicting. Have you definitive sources to end the confusion there?

Thank you for your time and for your help.
Very best regards from France,

CNE503

[Leo Niehorster]

Hi,
I don't see any conflict. The divisions were were apparently then transferred away from OBEROST to the west after 10 May 1040.

206. Infanterie Division:
1/ "... Mit Beginn des Westfeldzuges wurde die Division dann als OKH-Reserve in die Eifel verlegt..." With (=after) the beginning of the Western Campaign.
2/ ... date: (around) June 2nd, 1940

213. Infanterie Division:
1/ "... Nach dem Beginn des Westfeldzuges wurde die Division nach Westen zur 7. Armee verlegt ...". After the beginning of the Western Campaign.
2/ "Transfer ... 1–6 June 1940."

218. Infanterie Division:
1/ "Im Mai 1940 wurde die Division in den Westen verlegt." During May 1940 the division was transferred to the West.
2/ "... transfer from May 31st, 1940 ... XXVII. Armeekorps (7. Armee) as of May 29th, 1940."

Or have I misunderstood your question?

Cheers
Leo

[CNE503]

Maybe I misread the sources I've quoted, but I understood:
- that the 206. Infanterie-Division was transferred in the Eifel area at the beginning of the Westfeldzug (on May 10th, 1940);
- that the 218. Infanterie Division was in Altengrabow training camp (between Magdeburg and Potsdam, Wehrkreis III - not Poland) as of April 29th, 1940;
- that a primary source (quoted by a secondary one, but an universitary one, Weinberg) clearly stated that "the Germans had left along the eastern border on May 7, 1940 only four regular and nine territorial (Landesschützen) divisions" - and I count eight 3. Welle divisions and nine 9. Welle divisions in your order of battle (http://niehorster.orbat.com/011_germany ... erost.html). So four 3. Welle divisions are conflicting, which could be the four I mentioned;
- that the 239. Infanterie-Division seemed to be in Bohemia-Moravia, not Poland, on May 10th, 1940.

Do you understand why I'm a little bit confused? I must state that I clearly trust your website as a very valuable source, but it is the job of the common guy to dig around, isn't it?

Thanks for your help, very appreciated, as always.
Very best regards,

CNE503

[CNE503]

To sum up clearly what I've found about these units - extended to the higher commands also transferred to the West:
- Höheres Kommando zbV XXXII: transferred from Radom area to Aachen from May 29th, 1940;
- Höheres Kommando zbV XXXVI: transferred from Radom area to Luxembourg from May 11th, 1940;
- Höheres Kommando zbV XXXXV: transferred from Poland to Trier from May 14th, 1940;
- 206. Infanterie Division: transferred from Poland to Saint-Vith (Belgium) area before June 2nd, 1940;
- 213. Infanterie Division: transferred from Poland to Baden between June 1st and June 6th, 1940;
- 218. Infanterie Division: transferred from Poland to Altengrabow training camp (Wehrkreis III) between March 15th and May 29th, 1940, and there to the West as of May 29th, 1940;
- 239. Infanterie Division: transferred from Poland to Bohemia-Moravia from April 29th, 1940 and then to the West (Villingen-Freiburg area) from May 31st, 1940.

So, on May 10th, 1940, it appears if these informations are right that the 218. and 239. Infanterie Divisionen were not in Poland anymore.

Am I right?

Cheers,

CNE503

[CNE503]

We stayed in a middle of something here. Has someone something to add to help solving the problem of these divisions: Poland or not Poland on May 10th, 1940?

Cheers,

CNE503

[CNE503]

I guess the final answer is that 218. and 239. Infanterie Divisionen were not in Poland on May 10th, 1940, because they were transferred respectively in Wehrkreis III and Bohemia-Moravia in March and April 1940.

Cheers,

CNE503