198th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)

The 198th Infantry Division (198. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Heer during World War II. The 198th Infantry Division was formed in the Prague-Plzeň area in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia on 1 December 1939. Its initial personnel consisted of replacement formations staffed by recruits from Wehrkreis V. The two initial regiments of the 198th Infantry Division were the Infantry Regiments 305 and 308, with the former being assembled using personnel of the Infantry Replacement Regiments 5, 25, and 35, all part of the 155th Division, whereas the latter was assembled with manpower from the Infantry Replacement Regiments 78, 215, and 260, all part of the 165th Reserve Division. Additionally, the 198th Infantry Regiment was strengthened by the Light Artillery Detachment 235. On 17 January 1940, the division was transformed into a full infantry division after the addition of the Landwehr Infantry Regiment 35, which was subsequently renamed Infantry Regiment 326. This regiment had previously been part of the 14th Landwehr Division. As a result, the 326th Regiment was primarily staffed by older soldiers, typically between ages 35 and 45. Furthermore, the Light Artillery Detachment 235 was strengthened with the staff as well as the 2nd Detachment of Artillery Regiment 223 from Wehrkreis IV. The resulting artillery formation was dubbed Artillery Regiment 235. The initial divisional commander of the 198th Infantry Division, appointed on 10 January 1940, was Otto Röttig. The 198th Infantry Division participated in the German invasion of Denmark and was present for the occupation of Copenhagen on 9 April 1940. The 2nd Battalion of Infantry Regiment 326 was deployed permanently in occupied Denmark to become Guard Battalion Copenhagen. A new infantry battalion was formed to take its place within the 326th Regiment on 28 May 1940. The division was subsequently deployed to France, but only arrived there in July 1940, too late to take part in the Battle of France, which had concluded on 25 June.