The 61. Volksgrenadier-Division was formed from 61. Infanterie-Division in October 1944 in Gotenhafen.
It was disbanded on 31 March 1945 and absorbed by 21. Infanterie-Division as Grenadier-Regiment 24. The division staff was captured at Köningsberg on 10 April 1945 by the Soviet forces.

Commanders

Generalleutnant Günther Krappe (? Oct 1944 - 11 Dec 1944)
Generalleutnant Rudolf Sperl (11 Dec 1944 - 8 Apr 1945)

Area of operations

Eastern Front, eastern front (Oct 1944 - Jan 1945)
East Prussia (Jan 1945 - Apr 1945)

Holders of high awards

(61. Infanterie-Division / 61. Volksgrenadier-Division)
Holders of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold (3)
- Berk, Ernst, 10.03.1945, Oberfeldwebel d.R., Zugführer i. d. 1./Gren.Rgt. 162
- Kempas, Traugott, 08.03.1945, Hauptmann, Kdr I./Gren.Rgt 176
- Klumfass, Heinz, 10.03.1945, Obergefreiter, MG-Schütze i. d. 1./Gren.Rgt. 162
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (5)
- Brand, [first name not listed], 18.07.1941 (102), Gefreiter, 2./Pz.Jäg.Abt. 161
- Pialkowski, [first name not listed], 18.07.1941 (101), Unteroffizier, 2./Pz.Jäg.Abt. 161
- Rooch, Martin, 15.10.1941 (440), Major, Kdr. III./Inf.Rgt. 151
- Schoff, Kurt, 21.06.1942 (1029), Oberleutnant, Chef 9./Inf.Rgt. 162
- Smoydzin, Herbert, 26.02.1943, (1551), Oberleutnant, Chef 2./Gren.Rgt. 176
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (90)
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (18)
Holders of the Knight's Cross (43) (39 RK + 4 EL)

Order of battle

Grenadier-Regiment 151
Grenadier-Regiment 162
Grenadier-Regiment 176
Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 61
Artillerie-Regiment 161
Divisionseinheiten 161

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

Walther Hubatsch - Die 61. Infanterie Division 1939-1945: Ein Bericht in Wort und Bild.
Walther Hubatsch - 61. Infanterie Division: Kampf und Opfer ostpreußischer Soldaten