The 559. Volksgrenadier-Division was formed in October 1944 from 559. Grenadier-Division. It fought in the Saar and Alsace late in 1944 suffering heavy losses and in January 1945 it absorbed the surviving elements of 361. Volksgrenadier-Division. It was captured by the US forces near Münsingen in April 1945.

Commanders

Generalleutnant Kurt Freiherr von Mühlen (9 Oct 1944 - ? Apr 1945)

Area of operations

France & Western Germany (Oct 1944 - Apr 1945)

Holders of high awards

(559. Grenadier-Division / 559. Volksgrenadier-Division)
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (3)
- Hendel, Friedrich, 28.02.1945, Oberstleutnant, Gren.Rgt. 1127
- Jesberra, Friedrich, 09.03.1945, Hauptmann, II./Gren.Rgt. 1126
- Mixa, Willi, 28.11.1944, Leutnant, 7./Gren.Rgt. 1125
Holders of the Knight's Cross (4, including one unofficial/unconfirmed) (3 RK + 1 EL)
- Oakleaves
-- Mühlen Freiherr von, Kurt-Hermann 09.01.1945 [690. EL] Generalmajor Kdr 559. Volks-Gren.Div
- Knight’s Cross
-- Bulmahn, Karl 31.01.1945 Hauptmann Kdr II./Gren.Rgt 1126
-- Obschil, Alois 28.03.1945 SS-Untersturmführer Führer 2./Gren.Rgt 1126
-- Schütz, Erwin 09.05.1945 Hauptmann d.R. Kdr II./Gren.Rgt 1127
---[proposal was made through official channels on 29.03.1945 ; approved by 19. Armee on 18.04.1945 ; comment of HGr. G is lacking ; no handling within the HPA ; no Karteikarte existing ; accepted by OdR in accordance with so-called "Dönitz-Erlass" ; award date determined by Fellgiebel]

Order of battle

Grenadier-Regiment 1125
Grenadier-Regiment 1126
Grenadier-Regiment 1127
Artillerie-Regiment 1559
Füsilier-Kompanie 1559
Divisionseinheiten 1559

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 -