157th Reserve Division (Wehrmacht)

157th Reserve Division (Wehrmacht). The 157th Reserve Division was a Wehrmacht formation during World War II. Initially established as a training and replacement unit, it was later reorganized for security duties in occupied territories. The division was primarily active in the Balkans and Southern France before its final destruction in 1945.

History

The division was formed in October 1942 in Wehrkreis VII, with its headquarters in Munich. Its primary initial function was to train replacements for frontline units fighting on the Eastern Front and later in Italy. In late 1943, following the Allied invasion of Sicily and the Armistice of Cassibile, the division's role shifted. It was transferred to the Balkans to combat the growing Partisan threat, operating in areas of the Independent State of Croatia. By mid-1944, due to the Allied advance in Western Europe, the division was moved to Southern France. It saw action against the French Resistance and later against regular Allied forces during Operation Dragoon. The division was largely destroyed in the Colmar Pocket in early 1945, with remnants surrendering to American forces at the end of the war.

Organization

The division was organized as a static Infantry division, meaning it lacked the motorized transport of frontline combat divisions. Its structure was built around three Reserve Grenadier regiments, which were primarily filled with older conscripts, recovered wounded, and new recruits. It also contained reserve battalions for artillery, pioneer, and signals troops. In 1944, as part of a general reorganization of reserve formations, it was redesignated the 157th Mountain Division, absorbing elements from other depleted units. However, this redesignation was largely administrative, and it never functioned as a full Gebirgsjäger formation, retaining its security and infantry combat role until its dissolution.

Commanders

The division had several commanding officers during its existence. It was initially led by Generalleutnant Friedrich von Schellwitz from its formation until August 1943. Command then passed to Generalleutnant Paul Schricker, who oversaw its transfer to the Balkans. In April 1944, Generalleutnant Hans von Hößlin took command during the period of its relocation to France. The final commander, from December 1944 until the unit's destruction, was Generalmajor Heinrich Geerkens, who led it during the fighting in the Vosges and the Colmar Pocket.

Area of operations

The division's operational history spanned Central and Southeastern Europe. From its formation until late 1943, it was stationed within Germany, specifically in Bavaria, conducting training. Its first major deployment was to the Balkans, where it was subordinated to Army Group F under Generalfeldmarschall Maximilian von Weichs. It operated in Croatia and Bosnia, engaging in anti-partisan operations. In 1944, it was transferred to Army Group G in France, initially stationed in the Toulouse region before retreating through the Rhône Valley. Its final area of operations was in Alsace, where it was committed to the defense of the Vosges Mountains and ultimately encircled in the Colmar Pocket.

Order of battle

A typical order of battle for the division in its reserve role (1943) included: * Reserve Grenadier Regiment 7 * Reserve Grenadier Regiment 19 * Reserve Grenadier Regiment 73 * Reserve Artillery Battalion 7 * Reserve Pioneer Battalion 7 * Reserve Signals Company 7 * Division Supply Troops 1057 Following its redesignation as the 157th Mountain Division in 1944, its structure was altered, though not fully realized. It nominally included Mountain Infantry Regiment 296 and Mountain Infantry Regiment 297, alongside Mountain Artillery Regiment 1057 and other supporting units. However, these regiments were often ad-hoc formations with limited mountain warfare capability.

Category:Infantry divisions of Germany during World War II Category:Military units and formations established in 1942 Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945