The 79. Volksgrenadier-Division was formed from the partially formed 586. Volksgrenadier-Division in the Thorn area on 27 October 1944. It also absorbed elements from the disbanded 390. Sicherungs-Division.
It was transferred to the Western front in December 1944 and took part in the battle of the Bulge, earning praise from the US Army intelligence. It fought in western Germany at Vianden Bulge and Bitburg until it was disbanded in March 1945.

Commanders

Generalmajor Alois Weber (1 Nov 1944 - 25 Feb 1945)
Oberst Reinherr (? Feb 1945 - ? Mar 1945)
Oberst Kurt Hummel (? Mar 1945 - ? Mar 1945)
Oberstleutnant von Hobe (? Mar 1945 - ? Mar 1945)

Operations Officers (Ia)

Oberstleutnant Dipl. Ing. Bruno Neumann-Henneberg (30 Oct 1944 - ? 1945)

Area of operations

Poland (Oct 1944 - Dec 1944)
Western Germany (Dec 1944 - Mar 1945)

Nicknames

Tapfer und Treu (Brave and Loyal)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (3)
- Hempel, Werner, 25.03.1945, Oberfeldwebel, 5./Felders.Btl. 179
- Hilpert, Waldemar, 15.02.1945, Oberleutnant, 3./Gren.Rgt. 212
- Nitsche, Ernst Friedrich, 25.02.1945, Hauptmann d.R., I./Art.Rgt. 179
Holders of the Knight's Cross (2)
- Krück, Fritz 05.03.1945 Oberleutnant Führer II./Gren.Rgt 226
- Möckel, Hans-Hermann 17.04.1945 Hauptmann Führer Kgr Gren.Rgt 226

Order of battle

Grenadier-Regiment 208
Grenadier-Regiment 212
Grenadier-Regiment 226
Füsilier-Kompanie 79
Artillerie-Regiment 179
Pionier-Bataillon 179
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 179
Nachrichten-Abteilung 179
Feldersatz-Bataillon 179
Versorgungseinheiten 179

Sources used

Andris J. Kursietis - The Wehrmacht at War 1939-1945
Samuel W. Mitcham Jr - Hitler's Legions: The German Army Order of Battle World War II
George F. Nafziger - The German Order of Battle: Infantry in World War II
Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -