281st Security Division (Wehrmacht)

281st Infantry Division
Active March 1941 – May 1945
Country Nazi Germany Nazi Germany
Branch Heer
Type Infantry
Size Division
Garrison/HQ Deutsch Krone (now Wałcz, Poland)
Engagements

World War II

Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Theodor Scherer

281st Security Division (281. Sicherungs-Division) was a formation in the Wehrmacht during World War II. It was establshed in March 1941 for rear security duties in the occupied territories. The unit was converted to an infantry division in 1945, while stationed in Courland.

History

Formed in March 1941 under the command of Generalleutnant Friedrich Bayer, the 281st Security Division initially served behind the frontlines in Russia. In early 1942, now commanded by Generalmajor Theodor Scherer, the division became encircled by attacking Russian forces at Kholm but held out in what became known as the Kholm Pocket for four months until it was relieved.[1] For most of the next two years, it remained on the lines in the northern sector, initially as a lines-of communication formation. It was destroyed in mid-1944.[1]

It was reconstituted in Courland in January 1945 as the 281st Infantry Division. It participated in a fighting withdrawal to the Oder River, where in May it surrendered with the rest of the 3rd Panzer Army.[1]

Order of Battle

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Mitcham, pp. 332–333

References

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