52nd Infantry Division Wehrmacht

The 52nd Infantry Division (52. Infanterie-Division) was formed on 26 August 1939 in Siegen, Germany, as part of the German Heer during World War II. Initially assigned border security tasks in the Saarpfalz and Trier areas along the West Wall, it later participated in operations on the Western Front in May 1940, advancing through Luxembourg and Belgium into Northern France under the command of the 12th Army. The division fought in key battles in France, including those near Aisne, Champagne, and Dijon.

In June 1941, the division was deployed to Poland as part of Operation Barbarossa, participating in advances toward Vilnius, Minsk, and Moscow. It was halted at the Protva River following significant opposition. By October 1943, the division had suffered heavy losses during the Battle of Nevel and was reduced to a combat group before being officially dissolved on 1 November 1943.

Recreated in December 1943 as the 52nd Field Training Division (52. Feldausbildungs-Division) under Generalmajor Albert Newiger, it was renamed the 52nd Security Division (52. Sicherungs-Division) in April 1944. Stationed at Baranavichy and later in Festung Libau (Liepāja, Latvia), the division surrendered in May 1945 as part of the Courland Pocket.

The division's command structure evolved significantly throughout its history, with notable leaders including Generaloberst Karl-Adolf Hollidt, Hans-Jürgen von Arnim, Lothar Rendulic, Rudolf Peschel, Albert Newiger, and Albrecht Baron Digeon von Monteton. The latter was captured as a prisoner of war and executed in February 1946.