The 355. Infanterie-Division was formed in southern France on 1 May 1943 from reserve units as a “Gisela”-Division (1). It was disbanded on 2 Novenber 1943 after suffering heavy losses on the Eastern Front. The division staff formed the staff of the 77. Infanterie-Division and the remnants formed Divisions-Gruppe 355 which was assigned to Korps-Abteilung A.

Commanders

Generalleutnant Dietrich Kraiß (14 May 1943 - 6 Nov 1943)

Operations Officers (Ia)

Oberstleutnant Heinz Thien (1 May 1943 - 20 Oct 1943)

Area of operations

France (May 1943 - June 1943)
Crimea (June 1943 - Sep 1943)
Eastern front, southern sector (Sep 1943 - Nov 1943)

Order of battle

Grenadier-Regiment 866
Grenadier-Regiment 867
Grenadier-Regiment 868
Aufklärungs-Abteilung 355
Artillerie-Regiment 355
- I. Abteilung
- II. Abteilung
- III. Abteilung
Pionier-Bataillon 355
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 355
Nachrichten-Abteilung 355
Feldersatz-Bataillon 355
Versorgungseinheiten 355

Footnotes

1. Two divisions were formed under the code word “Gisela” as a direct reaction to the Allied victory in North Africa in May 1943. The two divisions – 355. Infanterie-Division and 356. Infanterie-Division – bolstered the security of Southern France to face any Allied move towards the Mediterranean coast as well as to keep order in this occupation zone.

Sources used

Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -