Div. History 88.Inf.Div.

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Ezboard

Div. History 88.Inf.Div.

#1

Post by Ezboard » 29 Sep 2002, 13:01

Pete
Unregistered User
(2/2/00 4:00:39 am)
Reply Div. History 88.Inf.Div.
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Hi,
Looking for Div.History 88.Inf.Div.and Bio of
Div.Kmdr. Graf von Rittberg.
Thanks,
Pete

Jeff Viguers
Unregistered User
(2/2/00 5:06:56 am)
Reply 88. Inf. Division / Georg Graf von Rittberg
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Generalleutnant Georg Graf von Rittberg

Born: 30.May.1898 in Straßburg/Elsaß
Died: ?

Promotions:
Generalleutnant.: 1.Aug.1944;
Generalmajor.: 1.Feb.1944;
Oberst: 1.Oct.1941;
Oberstleutnant.: 1.Apr.1939

Assignments:
Kdr. 88.Infanterie-Division: 12.Nov.1943 - 8.Jan.1945
Kdr. Grenadier-Regiment 2: 1.Apr.1943 - Jul.1943
Arko 23: 1.Dec.1943 - 1.Apr.1943
Kdr. Artillerie-Regiment 131: 1.Oct.1940 - 1.Dec.1942
Kdr. Artillerie-Regiment 31: 10.May.1940 - 1.Oct.1940
Adjutant to Wehrmacht Bevollmächtiger Böhmen und Mähren: 1.Apr.1939 - 10.May.1940
Kdr. III./Artillery-Regiment 23: 1.Oct.1935 - 1.Apr.1939
Reichsheer
Commissioned Leutnant in Fa.R. 61: 1.May.1915
Kadett, then entered service as Fähnrich on 8.Aug.1914

Postwar Captivity:
POW of Soviet Union: 27.Jan.1945 - 9.Oct.1955

Decorations & Awards:
Ritterkreuz des E.K.: 21.Feb.1944 as Gen.Maj. & Kdr. 88.Inf.Div.;
Eichenlaub (Nr. 610): 10.Oct.1944, as Gen.Maj. & Kdr. 88.Inf.Div. (simultaneously promoted Gen.Lt.;
Deutsches Kreuz in Gold: 29.Jan.1942 as Obstlt. & Kdr. Art.Rgt. 131;
1939 Spangen zum 1914 EK I/II; 1914 EK I/II; Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer; Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnungen.

88. Infantry Division: (Formed in Dec.1939)

Area of Operations:
Dec.1939 - May.1940: Germany
May.1940 - Apr.1942: France
Apr.1942 - Feb.1944: Southern sector, Eastern Front
Feb.1944 - Jun.1944: Withdrawn for refitting
Jun 1944 - Jan 1945: Poland

Commanders:
1.Dec.1939 - 2.Feb.1940: Generalmajor Gerog Lang
2.Feb.1940 - 12.Feb.1940: ?????????
12.Feb.1940 - 10.Mar.1943: General der Infanterie Friedrich Gollwitzer
10.Mar.1943 - 5.Nov.1943: Generalleutnant Heinrich Roth
5.Nov.1943 - 12.Nov.1943: ?????????
12.Nov.1943 - 8.Jan.1945: Generalleutnant Georg Graf von Rittberg
8.Jan.1945 - 27.Jan.1945: Generalmajor Carl Anders
27.Jan.1945: Disbanded

Doug Brown
Unregistered User
(2/4/00 10:03:56 pm)
Reply 88. Inf. Division Commanders
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Hi Jeff
In Hitler's Legions Mitcham says that the 88th & 57th Inf. Divisions were under Gen. Stemmerman's "personal command" during the breakout from Cherkassy in February 1944. What were the circumstances. Was he officially the Divisional commander and if so what happened to Rittberg (and his counterpart at the 57th) during this period.
Thanks
Doug

Pete
Unregistered User
(2/5/00 12:30:44 am)
Reply 88.Inf. Divison Commanders
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Hi Jeff and Doug,the 88.Div[Rittberg] and the 57.Div[Generalmajor Trowitz]assigned as Rear Guard during the breakout at the Cherkassy[Korsun] pocket battle[Many German Div. and other units surrounded by Russians]left the surrounded pocket last on Feb.17/18 43.
General der Artillerie Stemmerman in overall kommand of"Gruppe Stemmerman" was killed in action during breakout.
Both the 88. and 57.Div. almost destroyed.

Ps: Jeff thanks for info. about 88.Div.
Pete

Jeff Viguers
Unregistered User
(2/5/00 2:02:46 am)
Reply GdA Wilhelm Stemmermann
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XI. Army Corps was commanded by General der Artillerie Wilhelm Stemmermann from Dec. 5, 1943 to Feb. 18, 1944. (Feb. 18 - Stemmermann's death & XI. Army Corps was destroyed at Cherkassy)

88. Infantry Division (Rittberg) & 57. Infantry Division (Trowitz) were almost destroyed and were forced to withdraw for refitting.

Doug Brown
Unregistered User
(2/5/00 2:59:39 am)
Reply Thanks Jeff & Pete (n/t)
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n/t

Richard Murphy
Unregistered User
(2/5/00 5:51:27 pm)
Reply von Rittberg's early commands
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Jeff,
Am I correct in assuming that the 31st Inf. provided the Cadre for 131st Inf. in the autumn of 1940? Also, which Korps/Army did the 31st fight under in Belgium and France?

thanks,

Rich

Jeff Viguers
Unregistered User
(2/5/00 9:49:25 pm)
Reply Yeah...
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131. Infantry Division was formed with several men from 31. Infantry Division. :-)

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