The ''Freiwilligen-Stamm-Division'' () was a ''

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the German Army (1935–1945), ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmac ...

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

division during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. It was created on 1 February 1944 in Southern France. The Division was a so-called '' Ostlegion'', which means its personnel was made up from volunteers from the

Soviet Union The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

. Specifically ''Freiwilligen-Stamm-Division'' consisted of Turkic, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Tartar, Cossack,

Armenian Armenian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia * Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent ** Armenian diaspora, Armenian communities around the ...

Iranian Iranian () may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Iran ** Iranian diaspora, Iranians living outside Iran ** Iranian architecture, architecture of Iran and parts of the rest of West Asia ** Iranian cuisine, cooking traditions and practic ...

and other Soviet volunteers, spread over five regiments. The primary purpose of the division were anti-partisan operations against the

French Resistance The French Resistance ( ) was a collection of groups that fought the German military administration in occupied France during World War II, Nazi occupation and the Collaboration with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy#France, collaborationist Vic ...

. In 1944, the French Maquis started numerous uprisings in France. To defeat the French forces, units of the ''Freiwilligen-Stamm-Division'' were used in various operations. This included German operations against the maquis of Mont Mouchet, l'Ain and Haut-Jura and Vercors. Part of these anti-Maquis operations also included , in which units of the ''Freiwilligen-Stamm-Division'' participated. During the operation, the 5th Cossack Regiment of the division conducted the Dortan Massacre at the French town of Dortan on 13/14 July 1944. Twenty-four civilians were killed in what the German command described as "reprisal measures". Days later on 21 July more civilians were executed, bringing the death toll to about 35 people. The village was then burned down and left to ruins.

Commanding officers

*''

Generalleutnant () is the German-language variant of lieutenant general, used in some German speaking countries. Austria Generalleutnant is the second highest general officer rank in the Austrian Armed Forces (''Bundesheer''), roughly equivalent to the NATO ...

'' Ralph von Heygendorff, 1 February 1944 – 11 March 1944 *''

Generalmajor is the Germanic languages, Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central Europe, Central and Northern European countries. Austria Belgium Denmark is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and R ...

'' Wilhelm von Henning, 11 March 1944 – 12 September 1944 *''Generalmajor'' Bodo von Wartenberg, 12 September 1944 – May 1945

References

Bibliography

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:110th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) Military units and formations established in 1944 Infantry divisions of Germany during World War II Military units and formations disestablished in 1945 Foreign volunteer units of the Wehrmacht German occupation of France during World War II