3rd Division (Reichswehr) explained

Unit Name:3rd Division
Native Name:3. Division
Dates:19211934
Disbanded:October 1934
Type:Infantry
Size:Division
Command Structure:Gruppenkommando 1
Garrison:Wehrkreis III

Berlin

Notable Commanders:Gerd von Rundstedt
Werner von Fritsch

The 3rd Division was a unit of the Reichswehr.

Creation

In the Order of 31 July 1920 for the Reduction of the Army (to comply with the upper limits on the size of the military contained in the Treaty of Versailles), it was determined that a division would be established in every Wehrkreis (military district) by 1 October 1920. The 3rd Division was formed in January 1921 out of the Reichswehrs 3rd, 6th, and 15th Brigades, all part of the former Übergangsheer (Transition Army).

It consisted of 3 infantry regiments, an artillery regiment, an engineering battalion, a signals battalion, a transportation battalion, and a medical battalion.

The commander of Wehrkreis III was simultaneously the commander of the 3rd Division. For the leadership of the troops, an Infanterieführer and an Artillerieführer were appointed, both subordinated to the commander of the division.

The unit ceased to exist as such after October 1934 and its subordinate units were transferred to one of the 21 new divisions created in that year.

Divisional commanders

Infanterieführers

Artillerieführers

Garrison

The divisional headquarters was in Berlin.

References

Notes and References

  1. https://www.axishistory.com/list-all-categories/140-germany-reichswehr/reichswehr/2336-infanteriefuehrer-iii-reichswehr Axis History