5.Gebirgsjäger-Division 100th Gebirgsjaeger regiment 2nd Battalion 6th Kompanie

Formed

25 October 1940 in the Tirol region of Austria from Gebirgsjäger-Regiment 100 of 1.Gebirgs-Division , Infanterie-Regiment 85 and other units drawn from the 3.Infanterie-Division, 10.Infanterie-Division, 18.Infanterie-Division., 19.Infanterie-Division and the 33.Infanterie-Division.

HISTORY

In March 1941 the division moved into the Balkans and took part in the invasion of Greece. The unit was then selected to be airlifted onto Crete to reinforce the Fallschirmjäger during the invasion of the island. During this operation the gebirgstruppen distinguished themselves and following the battle the division was posted back to Germany and on 1 November 1941 Aufklärungs-Abteilung 95 and Panzerjäger-Abteilung 95 were exchanged with the 3.Gebirgs-Division for Aufklärungs-Abteilung 68 and Panzerjäger-Abteilung 48 but these two battalions remained in Finland and were assigned as Heerestruppen on 5 January 1941. During March 1942 the division moved into positions south-west of Leningrad in the northern part of the Eastern Front which it served in until early 1943 when it was posted to Italy. On 15 March 1943 Schnelle-Abteilung 95 was attached to the division and on 23 December 1943 it was split into Aufklärungs-Abteilung 95 and Panzerjäger-Abteilung 95. While in Italy the division was involved in the battles for Rome and the retreat to the Gothic Line. The division was then transferred north to the border between France and Italy in late 1944. The division was captrued by the Americans near Turin on 29 April 1945.

The 5.Gebirgsjäger-Division was formed in the Autumn of 1940 with the 100.Gebirgs-Regiment from the 1.Gebirgsjäger-Division. At the time, the 1.Gebirgsjäger-Division had three Gebirgs-Regimenter, and the third was detached and supplied for the creation of the 5.Gebrigsjäger-Division. The 10.Infanterie-Division also supplied the 85.Infanterie-Regiment when it was upgraded to a motorized division. The other units of this Division were supplied from both the 1.Gebirgsjäger-Division and the 10.Infanterie-Division.

Initially, the 5.Gebirgsjäger-Division was inactive in Germany for many months until it was posted to take part in the invasion of Greece in March of 1941. After operations in Greece, the Division was airlanded into Crete where it took part in the battles to secure the island from the British that had retreated from Greece. The Division played a significant role in helping to secure the island from the Allies.

After the Battle for Crete and occupation duties, the Division was posted back to Germany for rest and refitting. After time in Germany, the 5.Gebirgsjäger-Division was sent to the Eastern Front to take part in operations against Leningrad in the Volkhov region. Specifically, in March 1942 the division arrived in the Leningrad area where it was to remain until November 1943. During that time the division was used essentially as a "fire brigade" for the 18th Armee, serving at various times on the Volchov front, near Mga, near Schlüsselburg, and on the Neva near Kolopino.

After nearly a year on the Eastern Front, the Division was moved to Italy and in December 1943 the 5th arrived on the "Gustav Line" near Cassino. Late in the War the Division fought in the mountain region between France and Italy and then surrendered to the Americans near Turin in May, 1945.

Campaign HISTORY

• Greece, Crete 1941
  
• Occupation of Crete 1941-1942
  
• Eastern Front 1942-1943
  
• Italian Front 1943-1944
  
• Western Front 1944-1945
  

SERVICE HISTORY

Organization on 1 January 1941