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The 352nd Infantry Division (352. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Heer during World War II. A western front unit, the 352nd is notable as the defenders of Omaha Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944.
Divisional history
The 352nd was formed in November 1943 in France, commanded by Generalleutnant Dietrich Kraiß from 6th November 1943 until it was disbanded in early August 1944.
Parts of the 916th Grenadier Regiment saw action during Operation Overlord, opposing the 1st and 29th U.S divisions at Omaha Beach. The 352nd made a good account of itself, causing many casualties and defending the bluffs above the beach for several hours before being overwhelmed.
The rest of the division saw heavy fighting in the bocage (or hedgerow) country defending St. Lo against the Americans.
The 352nd was destroyed in the fighting following the invasion, and on 30 July the 352nd was declared abgekämpft, meaning the division was no longer fit for combat.
The remnants of the 352nd were absorbed into the re-formed 2nd Panzer Division in late 1944, which then was destroyed in the abortive Operation Wacht am Rhein.
Major Werner Pluskat, who was featured in Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day was in the 352nd and fought against the Americans on Omaha Beach.
Order of battle
The 352nd's order of battle on the eve of the Allied Invasion was as follows (NB: artillery component is also shown):
- 914. Grenadier Regiment
- 2 x 15cm sIG
- 6 x 7.5cm leIG
- 3 x 7.5cm PaK 40
- 915. Grenadier Regiment
- 2 x 15cm sIG
- 6 x 7.5cm leIG
- 3 x 7.5cm PaK 40
- 916. Grenadier Regiment
- 2 x 15cm sIG
- 2 x 7.5cm leIG
- 3 x 7.5cm PaK 40
- 352. Artillerie Regiment
- 1-9.Batterie - 36 x 10.5cm leFH 16
- 10-12.Batterie - 12 x 15cm sFH 18
- 352. Fusilier Battalion (1.Kompanie was bicycle mounted)
- Feld-Ersatz Battalion
- 6 x 8cm Granatawerfer 34
- 1 x 5cm PaK 38
- 1 x 7.5cm PaK
- 1 x 10.5cm FeldHaubitze
- 1 x Infanterie Geschutz
- 2 x Flammenwerfer
- Supply Train / Signals Troops
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