The 18. Panzer-Division was formed in October 1940 from parts of 4. Infanterie-Division and 14. Infanterie-Division. It took part in the invasion of the USSR and fought on the central sector of the front until it was deactivated and reorganised as 18. Artillerie-Division in September 1943.

Commanders

Generalmajor Walther Nehring (26 Oct 1940 - 26 Jan 1942)
Generalmajor Karl Freiherr von Thüngen (26 Jan 1942 - 30 Mar 1942) m.d.F.b.
Generalmajor Karl Freiherr von Thüngen (01 Apr 1942 - 24 Apr 1942)
Oberst Albert Praun (25 Apr 1942 - ?? May 1942) m.d.F.b.
Generalmajor Karl Freiherr von Thüngen (?? May 1942 - 15 Sep 1942)
Generalmajor Albert Praun (15 Aug 1942 - 20 Aug 1942) m.d.F.b.
Oberst Walter Gleiniger (21 Aug 1942 - 14 Sep 1942) m.d.F.b.
Generalmajor Erwin Menny (15 Sep 1942 - 24 Dec 1942)
Generalleutnant Karl Freiherr von Thüngen (25 Dec 1942 - 31 Mar 1943)
Oberst Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben (01 Apr 1943 - 30 Apr 1943) m.d.F.b.
Generalmajor Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben (01 May 1943 - 06 Sep 1943)
Generalmajor Karl Thoholte (07 Sep 1943 - 29 Sep 1943)

Area of operations

Germany (Oct 1940 - June 1941)
Eastern front, central sector (June 1941 - Sep 1943)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (10)
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (52)
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (16)
Holders of the Knight's Cross (14)
Unit-Level Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft (3)
- 1./Schützen-Regiment 52
-- Date/Place of Downing: 19.03.1942 bei Skatschok
-- Award Date: 19.06.1942 (162)
- 2./Kradschützen-Bataillon 18
-- Date/Place of Downing: 06.07.1942 bei Krutaja
-- Award Date: 24.09.1942 (237)
- 2./Panzer-Aufklärungs-Abteilung 18
-- Date/Place of Downing: 05.08.1943 bei Paramowono
-- Award Date: 01.05.1944 (471)

Order of battle (1943)

HQ
- Divisional Staff
- Mapping Detachment (mot)
18. Panzer Regiment
- Regimental Staff
- Signals Platoon
- Regimental Band
- Battalion
52. Panzergrenadier Regiment
- Regimental Staff
- Regimental Band
- Regimental Staff Company (mot)
- 2 x Battalion (mot)
- Infantry Gun Company (mot)
101. Panzergrenadier Regiment
- Regimental Staff
- Regimental Band
- Regimental Staff Company (mot)
- 2 x Battalion (mot)
- Infantry Gun Company (mot)
88. Panzerjäger Battalion
- 2 x Panzerjäger Company (mot)
- Panzerjäger Company (self-propelled)
- Flak Company (self-propelled)
18. Reconnaissance Battalion
- Armored Car Company
- Armored Car Company (half-track)
- Reconnaissance Company (half-track)
- Motorcycle Company
- Heavy Reconnaissance Company (half-track)
- Light Reconnaissance Supply Column (mot)
88. Panzer Artillery Regiment
- Regimental Staff
- Staff Battery
- 2 x Battalion
- Battalion (mot)
- 10/88. Flak Regiment
- Observation Battery (mot)
98. Panzer Pioneer Battalion
- Battalion Staff
- Pioneer Company (half-track)
- Pioneer Company (mot)
- Brüko K Bridging Column
- Light Pioneer Supply Column (mot)
88. Panzer Signals Battalion
- Panzer Telephone Company
- Panzer Radio Company
- Light Signals Supply Column
88. Feldersatz Battalion
- 3 x Company
Supply & Support Units

Notable members

Karl Freiherr von Thüngen (Active in the resistance against Hitler and executed after the failure of the July 20 Plot)

Panzer III of 18. Panzer-Division

(Courtesy of Chris)

Sources used

Microfilm Publication A-3356, German Officer Personnel files, NARA
RKT & DKiGT karteikarten, BA/MA
Dermot Bradley, Karl-Friedrich Hildebrand, Markus Rövekamp - Die Generale des Heeres 1921-1945
François de Lannoy & Josef Charita - Panzertruppen: German armored troops 1935-1945
Wolf Keilig - Die Generale des Heeres
Andris Kursietis - Die Wehrmacht at War 1939-1945
Kurt Mehner - Die Deutsche Wehrmacht 1939-1945: Führung und Truppe
Peter Schmitz, Klaus-Jürgen Thies, Günter Wegmann & Christian Zweng - Die deutschen Divisionen 1939-1945 (4 Vol)
Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945
Günther Wegmann - Die Ritterkreuzträger der Deutschen Wehrmacht, Teil VIII a: Panzertruppe, Band 1
Günter Wegmann & Christian Zweng - Formationsgeschichte u. Stellenbesetzung der deutschen Streitkräfte, 1815-1990, Teile IV, Abt. 1:  Die Dienststellen, Kommandobehörden u. Truppenteile des Heeres, Oct.35-May.45
Samuel W. Mitcham Jr - The Panzer Legions: A guide to the German Army Tank Divisions of WWII and Their Commanders

Reference material on this unit

Wolfgang Paul - Die Truppengeschichte der 18. Panzer-Division 1940-1943
Wolfgang Paul - Geschichte der 18. Panzer Division 1940-1943 mit Geschichte der 18. Art. Division