Organization
Established in August 1939 as part of the second wave. It was mobilised in Wehrkreis 1, East Prussia, with its headquarters at Insterburg
The division had a standard early war infantry establishment. It had three infantry regiments of three infantry battalions, a gun company and an antitank company each. It had an artillery regiment of four battalions, containing in total nine batteries of 105mm light Field Howitzers and 3 batteries of 150mm heavy Field Howitzers. It also had a full reconnaissance battalion, which included 3 armoured cars. Its equipment was German, with a personnel establishment of 15,500 men. For mobility it had over 500 trucks, as well as other motor vehicles and motorcycles. It also had nearly 5,000 horses, and its soldiers marched into battle on foot.
In February 1940 the division gave up and infantry battalion and some artillery for the creation of the 291st Infantry division of the 8th wave, these units were recreated.
The 61st Infantry Division consisted of the following units in May 1940:
- 151st Infantry Regiment
- 162nd Infantry Regiment
- 176th Infantry Regiment
- 161st Artillery Regiment
- 161st Engineer Battalion
- 161st Reconnaissance Battalion
- 161st Anti-Tank Battalion
- 161st Signals Battalion
- 161st Supply Troops
In November 1940 the division gave up an Infantry battalion from each Infantry Regiment for the formation of the 336th infantry division of the 14th wave. The battalions were replaced. The division suffered very heavy casualties in the Russian campaign, especially in infantry, so by the summer of 1942 three of its infantry battalions were officially disbanded, each Infantry Regiment now only having two battalions. Also the anti-tank battalion and the reconnaissance were merged to produce a schnelle (fast) battalion.
By 1943 the division's composition had been somewhat altered to the following:
- 151st Grenadier Regiment
- 162nd Grenadier Regiment
- 176th Grenadier Regiment
- 161st Artillery Regiment
- 161st Engineer Battalion
- 161st Anti-Tank Battalion
- 161st Intelligence Battalion
- 161st Supply Troop Command
Once officially designated a Volksgrenadier Division in 1944, the unit was composed of the following:
- 151st Grenadier Regiment
- 162nd Grenadier Regiment
- 176th Grenadier Regiment
- 61st Fusilier Battalion
- 161st Artillery Regiment
Read more about this topic: 61st Infantry Division (Germany)
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