The 123. Infanterie-Division was formed in October 1940 at Truppenübungsplatz Regenwurmlager as part of the 11. Welle (wave) from elements of 23. Infanterie-Division, 257. Infanterie-Division, non-motorized elements of 3. Infanterie-Division and the mounted units of 18. Infanterie-Division. It was disbanded in March 1944 after suffering heavy losses on the Eastern Front. The remnants formed Divisions-Gruppe 123 which was assigned to Korps-Abteilung F.

Commanders

General der Infanterie Walter Lichel (5 Oct 1940 - 5 Aug 1941)
Generalleutnant Erwin Rauch (6 Aug 1941 - 17 Oct 1943)
Generalleutnant Erwin Menny (17 Oct 1943 - 1 Nov 1943)
Generalleutnant Erwin Rauch (1 Nov 1943 - 15 Jan 1944)
Generalmajor Louis Tronnier (15 Jan 1944 - 10 Mar 1944)

Operations Officers (Ia)

Major Ernst Klasing (10 Oct 1940-30 Nov 1942)
Oberstleutnant Hans Linemann (30 Nov 1942-25 Jan 1944)

Area of operations

Germany (Oct 1940 - June 1941)
Eastern front, northern sector (June 1941 - Sep 1943)
Eastern front, southern sector (Sep 1943 - Mar 1944)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold (1)
- Pietsch, Ernst, 00.00.0000, Leutnant, Zugführer im Gren.Rgt. 418
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (3)
- Floret, [first name not listed], 03.07.1941 (010), Leutnant, Aufkl.Abt. 123 [1]
- Kindler, Wolfgang, 25.05.1944 (3321), Leutnant, Battr.Fhr. i. d. II./Art.Rgt. 123
- Rauch, Wolfgang, 28.11.1941 (553), Leutnant, Kp.Fhr. 3./Inf.Rgt. 418
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft (2)
- Hermanns, [first name not listed], 10.12.1941 (37), Obergefreiter, 7./Art.Rgt. 123
- Herzberg, Botho, 15.05.1942 (124), Obergefreiter, 9./Inf.Rgt. 416
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (64)
Holders of the German Cross in Silver (1)
- Maikowski, Eduard, 25.10.1943, Major d.R., Div.Nachsch.Tr. 123
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (13)
Holders of the Knight's Cross (20) (19 RK + 1 EL)
Unit-Level Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft
- Attached:
-- 4./Wach-Bataillon 707
-- Date/Place of Downing: 25.02.1942 bei Bykowo
-- Award Date: 19.06.1942 (152)

Order of battle

Infanterie-Regiment 415
Infanterie-Regiment 416
Infanterie-Regiment 418
Artillerie-Regiment 123
Divisionseinheiten 123

Footnotes

1. One of 40 soldiers cited in the Wehrmachtbericht or Armed Forces Communiqué but not named in the newly established Honor Roll of the German Army due to a change in award policy made effective 8 August 1941 (and beginning with award # 74). The soldiers in question, did, however, receive the Commendation Certificate.

Sources used

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

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -