The 126. Infanterie-Division was formed on 18 October 1940 at Truppenübungsplatz Sennelager from elements of 11. Infanterie-Division, 253. Infanterie-Division and the non-motorized elements of 16. Infanterie-Division. It fought at Wolchow, Demjansk, Staraja Russa and Leningrad before ending the war in the Kurland pocket.

Commanders

General der Infanterie Paul Laux (5 Oct 1940 - 10 Oct 1942)
Generalleutnant Harry Hoppe (10 Oct 1942 - 31 Apr 1943)
Generalleutnant Friedrich Hofmann (31 Apr 1943 - 8 July 1943)
Generalleutnant Harry Hoppe (8 July 1943 - 7 Nov 1943)
Generalleutnant Gotthard Fischer (7 Nov 1943 - 5 Jan 1945)
Generalmajor Kurt Hähling (5 Jan 1945 - 8 May 1945)

Operations Officers (Ia)

Oberstleutnant Hans-Georg von Schaewen (5 Oct 1940-24 Jun 1942)
Oberstleutnant Reinhard Merkel (24 Jun 1942-25 May 1944)
Oberstleutnant Ernst Zimmer (May 1944-Mar 1945)

Area of operations

Germany (Oct 1940 - June 1941)
Eastern front, northern sector (June 1941 - Oct 1944)
Kurland pocket (Oct 1944 - May 1945)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold (7)
- Dittlof, Heinrich, 30.03.1945, Oberleutnant d.R., Kp.Chef 9. (Sturm)/Gren.Rgt. 422
- Klein, Kurt, 09.01.1945, Oberfeldwebel, Zugführer i. d. 9./Gren.Rgt. 424
- Möntmann, Werner, 21.03.1945, Oberleutnant, Stab 126. Inf.Div.
- Rutkowski, Alfred, 00.00.1944, Hauptmann, Führer Div.Füs.Btl 126
- Schäfer, Karl, 21.09.1944, Feldwebel d.R., Zugführer i. d. 3./Gren.Rgt. 426
- Schlüchter, Theodor, 12.11.1944, Feldwebel, Zugführer i. d. 2./Gren.Rgt. 422
- Weber, Bernhard, 25.11.1944, Obergefreiter, Stab I./Gren.Rgt. 426
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (6)
- Blunk, [first name not listed], 08.02.1942 (697), Oberleutnant, Chef 6./Inf.Rgt. 424
- Inden, Paul, 18.04.1942 (913), Hauptmann, Chef 8./Art.Rgt. 126
- Inden, Paul, 27.05.1944 (3381), Major, Kdr. I./Art.Rgt. 126
- Merkel, Reinhard, 27.04.1944 (3158), Oberstleutnant i.G., Ia 126. Inf.Div.
- Müller, [first name not listed], 08.02.1942 (698), Feldwebel, 2./Inf.Rgt. 424
- Zinn, Martin, 25./27.03.1944 (3030), Oberleutnant, Chef 3./Füs.Btl. 126
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (91)
Holders of the German Cross in Silver (1)
- Berthold, Dr. Hans, 21.02.1945, Oberstabsintendant, 126. Inf.Div.
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (36)
Holders of the Knight's Cross (47)

Order of battle (1940)

Infanterie-Regiment 422
Infanterie-Regiment 424
Infanterie-Regiment 426
Artillerie-Regiment 126
Divisioneinheiten 126

Order of battle (1943)

Grenadier-Regiment 422
Grenadier-Regiment 424
Grenadier-Regiment 426
Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 126
Artillerie-Regiment 126
Divisioneinheiten 126

Sources used

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

Reference material on this unit

Günther Braake - Bildchronik der rheinisch westfälischen 126. Infanterie Division 1940-1945
Gerhard Lohse - Geschichte der 126. rheinisch westfälischen Infanterie Division