| Formed June 1. 1940
Home, Landeck
Formed on 1. June 1940, this Division began
its war in occupation duties in France, before being transferred to 12.
Armee in Poland. It is interesting to note that the 6th Gebirgsjager Division
was raised and formed before the the 4th and 5th Gebirgsjäger Divsions.
Records show the 6th was combat ready as early as June 13. 1940.
When the Balkan campaign began, the division moved south, taking
part in the brief campaign against Greece and in particular in the smashing
of the Metaxas line and in the taking of Athems. Although some elements
may have taken part in the Crete operation, the bulk of the division stayed
on in Greece as part of the occupation force, before being moved to Norway
in September 1941.
As part of Gebirgskorps Norwegen, it took part in the drive into
Russia, towards the port of Murmansk. It remained in the far northern
sector of the Russian front in Lappland until late 1944, when the Finns
reached a separate surrender agreement with the Soviets. At this point
it withdrew back into Norway, where it surrendered to the British at the
end of the war in May 1945.
Thanks to Jason Pipes for historical reference
material.
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