by John Mulholland

During World War II the German infantry divisions were, mostly, mobilized in “Wellen” (Waves) as they were required by the changing fortunes of war.

The best definition I’ve found for the “Welle” (Wave) system of mobilization is that given by Dr. Leo (W.G.) Niehorster:
“Welle was the German designation for groups of infantry divisions raised at approximately the same time, with approximately the same type of organization and equipment, and that shared a similar type of personnel and level of training. Similar to the designations "Model", "Mark", "Version", etc.”

From 1939 to 1945 there were at least 38 “Wellen” formed in the various “Wehrkreise” (Military Districts), under the supervision of the “Ersatzheer” (Replacement Army).

The lists below, by year, show the infantry divisions raised by each “Welle” (Up to #35), as well as all other “land” divisions formed during the war. These include those raised by the “Heer” (Army), “Luftwaffe” (Air Force), “Kriegsmarine” (Navy), “SS” (Security Service), and Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD - Reich Labour Service).

I would like to thank the staff of the Massey Library, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, Ontario, for their kind assistance.  Also, thanks go out to Ron Klages, Piet Duits, Loic Bonal, Dieter Zinke, Douglas Nash, Marcus Wendel, Doktor Krollspell , and, as always, Dr. Leo (W.G.) Niehorster.

NOTE: Any errors, omissions, or “typos” (and there are bound to be some), are strictly the fault of the writer. – John Mulholland.

Enjoy.

• Mobilized in 1939
• Mobilized in 1940
• Mobilized in 1941
• Mobilized in 1942
• Mobilized in 1943
• Mobilized in 1944
• Mobilized in 1945

Sources used

Arms & Armour Press: German Order of Battle, 1944.
Bauer, Josef: 290. Infanterie-Division 1940 - 1945
Bauman, H.: Die 35 Infanterie Division im Zweiten Weltkrieg
Benary, Albert.: Die Berliner 257- Bären-Division
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Duits, Piets (correspondence with writer).
Dr.Leo (W.G.) Niehorster (correspondence with writer).
Klages, Ron: Research material and personal correspondences to this writer prior to his passing on 18 Feb. 2007

Andreas Altenburger - Website: “Lexicon der Wehrmacht”
Jan Linzmaier - Website: “Diedeutschewehrmacht”
Jason Pipes - Website: "Feldgrau"
Marcus Wendel - Website: “Axis Historical Factbook”