352nd Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)
| 352nd Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
Unit insignia
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|
| Active | November 1943 – 8 May 1945 |
| Country |
 Nazi Germany
|
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division 10,971–17,708 (in 1944) |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Dietrich Kraiss |
The 352nd Infantry Division (352. Infanterie-Division) was a formation of the German Army during World War II. Deployed on the Western Front, the division defended Omaha Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944.
The 352nd was formed in November 1943 in France, commanded by Generalleutnant Dietrich Kraiss from 6 November 1943 until it was destroyed in July 1944. At that time, as a result of severe personnel losses, German infantry divisions were generally reduced to six battalions. The 352nd, however, retained its full complement of nine battalions. In early March 1944, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel began strengthening the layout of the Normandy defenses, which were in a deplorable state. The 716th Infantry Division was spread paper thin over a 100 km long coastal front, with few beach obstacles and bunkers.
Rommel made the decision to split this front in half, by stationing the 716th Division on a shortened 47 km long 'Caen zone', and stationing the new 352nd Infantry Division on a 53 km long 'Bayeux zone.' But even with the benefit of all the fortifications under construction, this frontage was still far beyond what was considered prudent in German tactical doctrine. This led to a number of arguments between Rommel and Dietrich Kraiss. In the end, it was decided that two infantry regiments would be stationed forward, and one infantry regiment would be left in reserve.
The 352nd began its coastal duty by improving the beach obstacles, emplacing mined stakes and timber structures. This involved not only cutting and hauling timber from miles inland, but also driving stakes and piles deep into the sand. The first band of obstacles - about 250 yards (750 ft) out from the waterline at high tide - consisted of 'Belgian Gates' - reinforced iron frames with supports that were built atop rollers. Next came a band of mined stakes and log ramps, meant to tear the bottoms out of landing craft or tip them over. Finally, there was a row of metal obstacles, including 'hedgehogs', made of steel rails. Although the Germans had attached mines to many of the obstacles, few of them were waterproofed, and corrosion had long since taken its toll of many of the explosive devices.
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Wikipedia