Infanteriedivision Theodor Körner

Infanteriedivision Theodor
Körner
XX Korps, 12. Armee, Heeresgruppe Vistula

The Infanterie-Division Theodor Körner

(Reichsarbeitsdienst or RAD Division 3) was
formed on 4 April 1945 at Truppenübungsplatz
Döberitz (Döberitz military training area) from
surviving elements of 215. Infanteriedivision and
7500 men from the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD,
National Labour Service). 215. Infanteriedivision,
after fighting in Courland Pocket, was transported
by ship across the Baltic Sea from 22 February
1945 to West Prussia. There they were destroyed
during the defensive battles around Gotenhafen-
Oxhöft (now Gdynia in Poland). The division staff
then was transported via Swinemünde
(Swinoujscie) to Berlin.

The RAD was to supply up to 1500 lower ranks,

2500 auxiliary trainers and 3500 recruits for each
of the three RAD divisions that were ordered to be
formed at this time. The auxiliary trainers were
former RAD recruits who had remained in the
RAD for an additional six or twelve months to train
new recruits.

The division was ordered renamed

Infanteriedivision Theodor Körner on 9 April 1945.
The division was named after Carl Theodor
Körner, a German poet, playwright, and a German
patriotic figure from the Napoleonic Wars who was
killed fighting with the Lützow Free Corps in 1813.
The
elements of
the division
were
assembled
on 10 April
and it was
ordered to be
combat
ready by 15
April. Its
young RAD
recruits has
seen a level
of basic
military
training and
discipline
while doing
their RAD
service, and
they had all
received at
least eight
weeks basic
training with
Military
District III
before joining
the division
at Döberitz
for final
infantry
training.
Added to
these RAD
recruits were
officer cadets
from the
Döberitz
military
school, as
well as
convalescent
s and troops
on leave who
were unable
to return to
their regular
units.

The division
departed for
the front on
18 April. The
division took
up defensive
positions
facing the
Americans
approaching
the Elbe
River to the
southwest of
Berlin.
During the
Ninth Army’s
breakout
from the
Halbe Pocket
they took
part in the
Twelfth
Army’s
attacked
towards
Belzig,
Beelitz, and
the breakout.
They
surrendered
to the
Americans
after crossing
the Elbe in
May 1945
near
Tangermünd
e.

Commanders
Generalleutnant Bruno Frankewitz
(6 April 1945 - 8 May 1945)
Order of battle
Grenadier-Regiment Theodor Körner 1
Grenadier-Regiment Theodor Körner 2

Area of operations Grenadier-Regiment Theodor Körner 3

Germany (April 1945 - May 1945) Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon Theodor Körner

Panzerjäger-Abteilung Theodor Körner

Artillerie-Regiment Theodor Körner (1 Battalion)

Pionier-Bataillon Theodor Körner