42nd Jäger Division (Wehrmacht)

42nd Jäger Division
Active 1939 - 1945
Country Nazi Germany
Allegiance Adolf Hitler
Size Division
Engagements World War II

42nd Jäger Division was a German Infantry division during World War II. It can trace its origins to the 187th Infantry Division which was based in Austria until September 1942, when it was redesignated as the 187th Reserve Division. The 187th was sent to Croatia and was redesignated the 42nd Jäger Division in January 1944. 42. Jäger-Division was formed 22 Dec 1943 in Croatia from the 187. Reserve-Division. After taking part in Operation Margarethe, the military occupation of Hungary in March 1944, and the returned to Yugoslavia in May. In July 1944 it was transferred to Italy where it remained for the rest of the war and surrendered in April 1945. [1][2]

Contents

Background

The main purpose of the German Jäger Divisions was to fight in adverse terrain where smaller, coordinated units were more facilely combat capable than the brute force offered by the standard infantry divisions. The Jäger divisions were more heavily equipped than a mountain division, but not as well armed as a larger infantry division. In the early stages of the war, they were the interface divisions fighting in rough terrain and foothills as well as urban areas, between the mountains and the plains. The Jägers (means hunters in German) relied on a high degree of training, and slightly superior communications, as well as their not inconsiderable artillery support. In the middle stages of the war, as the standard infantry divisions were down sized, the Jäger model with two infantry regiments came to dominate the standard tables of organization. [3]
In 1943, Adolf Hitler declared that all infantry divisions were now Grenadier Divisions except for his elite Jäger and Mountain Jaeger divisions.[3]

Commanders

Area of operations

As 187th Division

Austria (October 1939 - August 1942)

As 187th Reserve Division

Austria (August 1942 - September 1942) Croatia (September 1942 - January 1944)

As 42nd Jäger Division

Croatia (January 1944 - March 1944) Hungary (March 1944 - May 1944) Yugoslavia (May 1944 - July 1944) Italy (July 1944 - April 1945) [1]

Order of battle (1944)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wendal, Marcus. "42. Jäger-Division". Axis History. http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=953. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
  2. ^ "42 jager division". Lexion der Wehrmacht (German). http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Jagerdivision/42JD.htm\accessdate=2009-01-04. 
  3. ^ a b Mcoy, Breaker (2009). German Army 101st Light Division, 101st Jager Division 1941 - 42. http://www.quikmaneuvers.com/german_army_101st_light_division.html.