The 553. Volksgrenadier-Division was formed in October 1944 from 553. Grenadier-Division and was destroyed in Lorraine a few days later.

It was reformed the same month and destroyed again in November. It spent the coming month reforming and in January 1945 it returned to the front, ending the war in US captivity near Württemberg.

Commanders

Generalmajor Hans Bruhn  (9 Oct 1944 - 22 Nov 1944)
Oberst Erich Löhr  (22 Nov 1944 - 23 Nov 1944)
Generalmajor Gerhard Hüther  (23 Nov 1944 - ? Jan 1945)
Oberst Utz  (? Jan 1945 - ? May 1945)

Area of operations

South-Western Germany  (Oct 1944 - May 1945)

Holders of high awards

(553. Grenadier-Division / 553. Volksgrenadier-Division)
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (5)
- Hölscher, Walter, 13.01.1945, Oberstleutnant, Gren.Rgt. 1119
- Hoppe, Gerhard, 20.01.1945, Hauptmann, I./Gren.Rgt. 1120
- Mitzlaff von, Hans-Jürgen, 27.01.1945, Major, 553. Volks-Gren.Div.
- Zimmermann, Werner, 11.02.1945, Feldwebel, 2./Pz.Jäg.Abt. 1553
- attached:
-- Wick, Rudolf, 26.03.1945, SS-Obersturmführer, Fhr. 1./Jagdpanzer-Abteilung von Lüttichau
Holders of the German Cross in Silver (1)
- attached:
-- König, Oskar, 21.02.1945, Schirrmeister, Jagdpanzer-Abteilung von Lüttichau
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (1)
- Stiefenhofer, Josef, 15.02.1945, Leutnant, 13./Gren.Rgt. 1120
Holders of the Knight's Cross (3)
- Möller, Ernst 30.04.1945 Major Kdr Div.Füs.Btl 553
- Starck von, Wilhelm 23.10.1944 Hauptmann d.R. Führer I./Art.Rgt 1553
- attached :
-- Wimmer, Alfred 16.01.1945 Oberleutnant Führer III./Gren.Rgt 3 Oberrhein / 553. VGD

Order of battle

Grenadier-Regiment 1119
Grenadier-Regiment 1120
Artillerie-Regiment 1553
Divisionseinheiten 1553

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 -