The 212. Volksgrenadier-Division was formed in October 1944 from the partially formed 578. Volksgrenadier-Division. It fought on the Western Front suffering heavy losses during the Battle of the Bulge and at the Siegfried Line, it surrendered to the US forces at the end of the war.

Commanders

Generalleutnant Franz Sensfuß (? Oct 1944 - 1 Apr 1945)
Generalmajor Max Ulich (1 Apr 1945 - 21 Apr 1945)
Generalmajor Jobst Freiherr von Buddenbrock (21 Apr 1945 - 8 May 1945)

Operations Officers (Ia)

Major Wolfgang Köstlin (20 Sep 1944-30 Dec 1944)
Oberstleutnant Hans Ritter und Edler von Rosenthal (30 Dec 1944-1945)

Area of operations

East Prussia (Oct 1944 - Nov 1944)
Germany (Nov 1944 - May 1945)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold (2)
- Krevet, Johann 03.04.1945 Oberleutnant d.R. Führer 1./Div.Füs.Btl 212
- Peter, Georg, 06.12.1944, Obergefreiter, Meldestaffelfahrer Stab I./Gren.Rgt. 423
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (2)
- Diedenhofen, Günther, 15.02.1945 (5408), Oberleutnant, 13./Gren.Rgt. 423
- Kornprobst, Franz, 05.02.1945 (5312), Oberst, Kdr. Gren.Rgt. 320
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (17)
Holders of the German Cross in Silver (1)
- Gruber, Dr. Ludwig, 28.03.1945, Stabsarzt d.R., San.Kp. 212
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (10)
- Bichlmayr, Paul, 15.02.1945, Unteroffizier, Stabs.Kp./Gren.Rgt. 320
- Ley, Günther, 00.00.1945, Oberleutnant d.R., 5./Gren.Rgt. 320
- Olbricht, Hans-Joachim, 05.03.1945, Oberleutnant, 7./Gren.Rgt. 316
- Röger, Ludwig, 00.00.1945, Oberleutnant d.R., 8./Gren.Rgt. 423
- Schmid, Georg, 00.00.1945, Leutnant d.R., 3./Gren.Rgt. 320
- Schorr, Hans, 07.01.1945, Leutnant, Stabs.Kp./Gren.Rgt. 423
- Spörke, Walter, 00.00.1945, Unteroffizier d.R., 1./Pi.Btl. 212
- Steiger, Martin, 00.00.1945, Oberleutnant, Pz.Jäg.Abt. 212
- Tinnemeier, Wilhelm, 00.00.1945, Hauptmann d.R., I./Gren.Rgt. 320
- Velte, Werner, 05.03.1945, Oberfeldwebel d.R., 4./Div.Füs.Btl. 212
Holders of the Knight's Cross (13, including one unofficial/unconfirmed) (11 RK + 2 EL)

Order of battle

Grenadier-Regiment 316
Grenadier-Regiment 320
Grenadier-Regiment 423
Artillerie-Regiment 212
Divisionseinheiten 212

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 -