The 88. Infanterie-Division was formed in December 1939 at Truppenübungsplatz Grafenwöhr as part of the 6th welle (wave) and was equipped with captured Czech equipment. It was strengthened by absorbing the Divisionsgruppe 323 formed by elements of the disbanded 323. Infanterie-Division on 2 November 1943.
It was refitted with Divisionsgruppe 112 from Korps-Abteilung B in March 1944 and was destroyed in January 1945.

See also Operations of Encircled Forces: German Experiences in Russia.

Commanders

Generalmajor Georg Lang (1 Dec 1939 - 2 Feb 1940)
General der Infanterie Friedrich Gollwitzer (2 Feb 1940 - 10 Mar 1943)
Generalleutnant Heinrich Roth (10 Mar 1943 - 5 Nov 1943)
Generalleutnant Georg von Rittberg (5 Nov 1943 - 8 Jan 1945)
Generalmajor Carl Anders (8 Jan 1945 - 27 Jan 1945)

Area of operations

Germany (Dec 1939 - May 1940)
France (May 1940 - Apr 1942)
Eastern front, southern sector (Apr 1942 - Feb 1944)
(Refitting) (Feb 1944 - June 1944)
Poland (June 1944 - Jan 1945)

Order of battle (1939)

Infanterie-Regiment 245
Infanterie-Regiment 246
Infanterie-Regiment 248
Artillerie-Regiment 188
Divisionseinheiten 188

Order of battle (1943)

Grenadier-Regiment 245
Grenadier-Regiment 248
Divisions-Gruppe 323
Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 88
Artillerie-Regiment 188
Divisionseinheiten 188

Order of battle (1944)

Grenadier-Regiment 110
Grenadier-Regiment 245
Grenadier-Regiment 248
Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 88
Artillerie-Regiment 188
Divisionseinheiten 188

Sources used

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

Reference material on this unit

H.K. Menedetter - Chronik des Artillerieregiments 188
Julius Pfister - Die 88. Infanterie Division
Dr. B. Rademacher - Die Nachschubdienste der 88. Infanterie Division im Feldzug gegen Frankreich 1940
Dr. Andreas Schwarz - Chronik des Infanterieregiments 245 (3 vol)
Dr. Andreas Schwarz - Chronik des Infanterieregiments 248
Ullmer & Schenk - 110. Infanterieregiment
Matthias Wensauer - Chronik des Infanterie-Regiments 246