553rd Volksgrenadier Division
The 553rd Volksgrenadier Division (German: 553. Volksgrenadier-Division) was a volksgrenadier division of the German Army during World War II that fought entirely on the Western Front.
| 553rd Volksgrenadier Division 553rd Grenadier Division | |
|---|---|
| 553. Volksgrenadier-Division 553. Grenadier-Division | |
| Active | 1944–1945 |
| Country | Germany |
| Branch | German Army |
| Type | Volksgrenadier |
| Size | Division |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Johannes Bruhn |
Sent to stop the Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine in September 1944, it was nearly encircled and destroyed twice in northeastern France: first at Nancy and then at the Saverne Gap. After being rebuilt, in January 1945 it participated in Operation Nordwind, the southern counterpart of the German offensive that became known as the Battle of the Bulge. It captured a bridgehead on the Rhine and elements of the 553rd took part in destroying two American battalions from the U.S. 12th Armored Division at the village of Herrlisheim, along with the 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsberg. After the operation was called off in late January, the 553rd was withdrawn from the front and remained in the Army Group G reserve until the German surrender in May 1945.