5.GEBIRGS-DIVISION
| COMMANDERS |
| General Julius Ringel 1940
/ 1944 |
| Generalmajor Max-Gunther Schrank 1945 |
| Generalmajor Hans Steets commanded
the 5th Gebirgs-Division in the Alps 1-45 to 5-45 |
| Oberst Ernst commanded the 100th Gebirgsjaeger regiment during this
period. |
| Colonel Oberst Ludwig Stautner
commanded a Kampfgruppe of the 5th Gebirgs-Division |
| DIVISIONAL
COMPONENTS |
| Gebirgs-Infanterie Regiment
85 |
| Gebirgs-Infanterie Regiment
100 |
| Gebirgs-Artillerie Regiment
95 |
| Radfahr Abteilung 95 |
| Gebirgs-Panzerjäger Abteilung
95 |
| The units around which the 5th Gebirgs Division
was created were the 100th regiment, which was surplus to the establishment
of 1st Gebirgs Division, and the former 85th Infantry Regiment. Which became
supernumerary when 10th Infantry changed its role and became a motorised
division. The artillery component of the 5th came from both 1st Gebirgs
Division and 10th Infantry. Both Jäger regiments retained their original
numbers, i.e., 85 and 100, and the artillery Regiment was numbered 95.
The elite division was formed in autumn 1940 and was commanded
by the charismatic Julius 'Papa' Ringel until 1944. It was based in Salzburg,
Austria, although the personnel were predominantly from Bavaria.
The first few months of its life was spent training in the Bavarian
Alps then moved to the Balkans theater, where it played a prominent role
in the smashing of the Metaxas defence lines and the defeat of the Greek
and Commonwealth forces. |
| After the successful conclusion
of the Greek campaign, Ringel's Gebirgsjäger became part of the German
assault force launched against the island of Crete. During the battle of
Maleme, these tough mountain troops came to the aid of the beleaguered
Fallschirmjäger in what was to become the tuning point of the "Operation
Merkur" on Crete. |
 |
 |
The division was allowed a period of rest and refitting from
1941 to March 1942.
It then returned to battle on the Eastern Front, where it was
attached to Heeresgruppe Nord, serving in the Volkhov region on the Leningrad
front. It remained in this sector until the end of 1943.
In December 1943 the division was transferred to Italy in control of
10.Armee.
It distinguished itself many times fighting up the 'leg' of the
Italian mainland during the battles for the Gustav and Gothic defence lines.
It was fighting in the border region between Italy and France towards the
end of the war, and eventually surrendered to the American forces in April
1945.
| Special thanks to Patrick Kiser for the Original Period Postkarte
& Photograph |
|
Their Last Actions
| This division was the last Mountain division to fight in high
alpine terrain and was situated in the Western Alps [along the French-Italian
border]. Then on April 20, [1945], seven Gebirgsjägers made
a night climb up the Northeast wall [or face] of Roc Belleface. |
| Their brave raid succeeded in dislodging the French garrison's
defenses. After some additional combat actions, the division assembled
for the last time and marched in full order eastwards toward Milan.
After fighting with Italian Partisans [during their journey], they went
into Amercan captivity just north of Turin. |
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