The 7. Armee was formed on 25 August 1939 in Wehrkreis V. After taking part in the invasion of France in 1940, during which it crossed the Rhine River and captured Colmar, Mulhouse, and Strasbourg, the 7. Armee remained there on occupation duty guarding Normandy and Brittany. It faced the brunt of Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944 and was largely destroyed in the Falaise Pocket in August 1944. It took part in the failed Ardennes offensive in December 1944, and, after retreating from Belgium, fought in the area of Trier before falling back beyond the Rhine River. Forced back into Czechoslovakia, the 7. Armee surrendered there to U.S. forces on 8 May 1945.

Commanders

Generaloberst Friedrich Dollmann (24 Aug 1939 - 28 June 1944) (died/heart attack)
SS-Oberstgruppenführer Paul Hausser (28 June 1944 - 21 Aug 1944) (WIA)
General der Panzertruppe Hans Freiherr von Funck (21 Aug 1944 - 22 Aug 1944)
General der Panzertruppe Heinrich Eberbach (22 Aug 1944 - 31 Aug 1944) (POW)
General der Panzertruppe Erich Brandenberger (31 Aug 1944 - 20 Feb 1945)
General der Infanterie Hans-Gustav Felber (22 Feb 1945 - 25 Mar 1945)
General der Infanterie Hans von Obstfelder (25 Mar 1945 - 8 May 1945)

Chiefs of Staff

Generalleutnant Walther Fischer von Weikersthal (26 Aug 1939 - 25 Nov 1940)
Generalmajor Werner Richter (25 Nov 1940 - 9 July 1942)
Generalmajor Friedrich Sixt (9 July 1942 - 7 Mar 1943)
Generalmajor Henning von Thadden (7 Mar 1943 - 1 June 1943)
Generalmajor Max Pemsel (1 June 1943 - Apr 1944)
Oberst Horst Kraehe (Apr 1944 - May 1944)
Generalmajor Max Pemsel (May 1944 - 28 July 1944)
Generalmajor Rudolf-Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff (28 July 1944 - 8 May 1945)

Operations Officers (Ia)

Oberst Anton Dostler (24 Aug 1939 - 25 Oct 1939)
Oberstleutnant Emil Schniewind (25 Oct 1940 - 20 June 1940)
Oberst Siegfried Rasp (20 June 1940 - 24 Apr 1942)
Oberst Otto-Hermann Brücker (24 Apr 1942 - 12 Dec 1942)
Oberst Erich Helmdach (12 Dec 1942 - 1 Sep 1944)
Oberstleutnant Werner Voigt-Ruscheweyh (1 Sep 1944 - 21 Feb 1945) (KIA)
Major Hans-Joachim Hierche (22 Feb 1945 - 25 Feb 1945)
Oberstleutnant Karl Redmer (25 Feb 1945 - 19 Apr 1945)
Oberstleutnant Max Frenzel (20 Apr 1945 - 8 May 1945)

Area of operations

Western front (Aug 1939 - May 1945)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the German Cross in Silver (4)
- Jetter, Walter, 19.12.1944, Oberst, 1. Adjutant AOK 7
- Kutzky, Reinhold, 30.08.1944, Oberst, Armee-Nachrichtenführer AOK 7
- Mewes, Emil, 02.06.1944, Oberstkriegsgerichtsrat d.R., Stb./AOK 7
- Scheppokat, Dr. Karl, 28.03.1945, Generalarzt, Armeearzt AOK 7
Holders of the Knight's Cross (4) (2 RK + 1 EL + 1 SW)
- Swords
-- Hausser, Paul 26.08.1944 [90. Sw] SS-Oberstgruppenführer und Generaloberst der Waffen-SS OB 7. Armee
- Oakleaves
-- Dollmann, Friedrich 01.07.1944 [518. EL] Generaloberst OB 7. Armee
- Knight's Cross
-- Dollmann, Friedrich 24.06.1940 General der Artillerie OB 7. Armee
-- Gersdorff Freiherr von, Rudolf-Christoph 26.08.1944 Oberst i.G. Chef d. Gen.St. 7. Armee

Holders of high awards (Armee-Truppen)

Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft (1)
- Teipel, [first name not listed], 21.09.1944 [Date of Action] (577), Gefreiter, 2./le.Beob.Abt. (mot) 14 / AOK 7
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (1)
- Bomnüter, Otto, 22.03.1945, Hauptmann, Lw.Fest.Btl. XVIII [Hürtgenwald]
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (1)
- Jakob, Johann, 07.09.1944, Major, Schn.Abt. 517 [Halbinsel Cotentin]
Holders of the Knight's Cross (, including one unofficial/unconfirmed)

Order of battle (1 Sep 1939)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 78. Infanterie-Division
- 212. Infanterie-Division
- 215. Infanterie-Division
Generalkommando der Grenztruppen Oberrhein
- 35. Infanterie-Division
- 5. Infanterie-Division
- 14. Landwehr-Division
- SS-Infanterie-Regiment “Der Führer”

Order of battle (8 June 1940)

XXVII. Armeekorps (at the disposal of the 7. Armee)
- 213. Infanterie-Division
- 218. Infanterie-Division
- 221. Infanterie-Division
- 239. Infanterie-Division
XXV. Armeekorps
- 557. Infanterie-Division
- 555. Infanterie-Division
Höheres Kommando z.b.V. XXXIII
- 554. Infanterie-Division
- 556. Infanterie-Division

Order of battle (15 Nov 1942)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 257. Infanterie-Division
LXXXIV. Armeekorps
- 379. Infanterie-Division
- 320. Infanterie-Division
- 716. Infanterie-Division
- 165. Reserve-Division (most)
XXV. Armeekorps
- 709. Infanterie-Division
- 17. Infanterie-Division
- 182. Infanterie-Division (most)
- 333. Infanterie-Division
- 343. Infanterie-Division (in transit)
- 346. Infanterie-Division

Order of battle (15 May 1944)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- II. Fallschirm-Korps
- 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division (most)
- 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- 91. (LL) Infanterie-Division
LXXXIV. Armeekorps
- 716. Infanterie-Division
- 352. Infanterie-Division
- 709. Infanterie-Division
- 243. Infanterie-Division
- 319. Infanterie-Division
- 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division (part)
XXV. Armeekorps
- 343. Infanterie-Division
- 265. Infanterie-Division
- 275. Infanterie-Division (forming)
- 353. Infanterie-Division
LXXIV. Armeekorps
- 77. Infanterie-Division (forming)
- 266. Infanterie-Division

Order of battle (15 June 1944)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- XXXXVII. Panzerkorps
- 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen” (part/in transit)
I. SS-Panzerkorps
- 21. Panzer-Division (most)
- 12. SS-Panzer-Division “Hitler Jugend”
- Panzer-Lehr-Division
- 716. Infanterie-Division
LXXXIV. Armeekorps
- 319. Infanterie-Division (at the disposal of)
II. Fallschirm-Korps (subordinated to LXXXIV. Armeekorps)
- 2. Panzer-Division (part)
- 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- 352. Infanterie-Division + Kampfgruppe 275. Infanterie-Division
- Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6
- Kampfgruppe 265. Infanterie-Division
- 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen” (most)
Kampfgruppe Hellmich (subordinated to LXXXIV. Armeekorps)
- 243. Infanterie-Division
- 91. (LL) Infanterie-Division
- 77. Infanterie-Division
- 709. Infanterie-Division
- Grenadier-Regiment 752
LXXIV. Armeekorps
- 266. Infanterie-Division
- 353. Infanterie-Division (in transit)
XXV. Armeekorps
- 265. Infanterie-Division
- 275. Infanterie-Division (forming)
- 343. Infanterie-Division
- 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division (in transit)

Order of battle (15 July 1944)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division
II. Fallschirm-Korps
- 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- 352. Infanterie-Division (remnants)
- Kampfgruppe 266. Infanterie-Division
- 353. Infanterie-Division (part)
- 243. Infanterie-Division (part)
LXXXIV. Armeekorps
- Panzer-Lehr-Division
- 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division (most)
- 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
- Schnelle Brigade 30
- 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”
- Gruppe König (Kommandeur 91. Infanterie-Division): 77. Infanterie-Division, 91. Infanterie-Division (remnants), Kampfgruppe 265. Infanterie-Division, 353. Infanterie-Division (most)
- 243. Infanterie-Division (most)
- 319. Infanterie-Division
LXXIV. Armeekorps
- 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division (part)
- 266. Infanterie-Division
XXV. Armeekorps
- 343. Infanterie-Division
- 265. Infanterie-Division

Order of battle (31 Aug 1944)

II. Fallschirm-Korps
- 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- 708. Infanterie-Division
- 89. Infanterie-Division
- 277. Infanterie-Division
- 326. Infanterie-Division
LXXXIV. Armeekorps
- 363. Infanterie-Division
- Kampfgruppe 243. Infanterie-Division
- 84. Infanterie-Division
- 272. Infanterie-Division
XXV. Armeekorps
- 265. Infanterie-Division
- 343. Infanterie-Division
- 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division (remnants)
- 266. Infanterie-Division (remnants)

Order of battle (16 Sep 1944)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 12. Infanterie-Division (in transit)
LXXXI. Armeekorps
- 275. Infanterie-Division
- 49. Infanterie-Division (remnants)
- Kampfgruppe 116. Panzer-Division + Panzer-Brigade 105
- Kampfgruppe 9. Panzer-Division
LXXIV. Armeekorps
- Kampfgruppe 347. Infanterie-Division
- 3. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- Division Nr. 526
I. SS-Panzerkorps
- Kampfgruppe 1. SS-Panzer-Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler”
- 12. SS-Panzer-Division “Hitler Jugend”
- Kampfgruppe 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”
- Kampfgruppe 2. Panzer-Division
- Kampfgruppe Division Nr. 172

Order of battle (28 Sep 1944)

LXXXI. Armeekorps
- 183. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 49. Infanterie-Division (remnants)
- 246. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 12. Infanterie-Division
- 275. Infanterie-Division
LXXIV. Armeekorps
- 353. Infanterie-Division
- Kampfgruppe 347. Infanterie-Division
- 89. Infanterie-Division
- 348. Infanterie-Division (remnants)
I. SS-Panzerkorps
- 1. SS-Panzer-Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler” (remnants)
- 12. SS-Panzer-Division “Hitler Jugend” (remnants)
- Kampfgruppe 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich” + Kampfgruppe 2. Panzer-Division
- Kampfgruppe Division Nr. 172
LXXX. Armeekorps
- Kampfgruppe Hauser (Panzer-Lehr-Division (part))
- 36. Grenadier-Division
- Kampfgruppe 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division

Order of battle (13 Oct 1944)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 3. Panzer-Grenadier-Division
I. SS-Panzerkorps
- 183. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 49. Infanterie-Division (remnants)
- 116. Panzer-Division
- Panzer-Brigade 108
LXXXI. Armeekorps
- 246. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 12. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXIV. Armeekorps
- 275. Infanterie-Division
- 89. Infanterie-Division
- Kampfgruppe 347. Infanterie-Division
LXVI. Armeekorps
- 1. SS-Panzer-Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler” (remnants)
- 12. SS-Panzer-Division “Hitler Jugend” (remnants)
- Kampfgruppe 2. SS-Panzer-Division “Das Reich”
- Kampfgruppe 2. Panzer-Division
- Kampfgruppe Division Nr. 172
LXXX. Armeekorps
- 353. Infanterie-Division (remnants)
- 36. Volks-Grenadier-Division

Order of battle (5 Nov 1944)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- LVIII. Panzerkorps (in transit)
- 272. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 26. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXIV. Armeekorps
- 275. Infanterie-Division
- 116. Panzer-Division
- 89. Infanterie-Division
- 347. Infanterie-Division
LXVI. Armeekorps
- 18. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- Kampfgruppe 91. Infanterie-Division
- 2. Panzer-Division
LXXX. Armeekorps
- 353. Infanterie-Division
- 36. Volks-Grenadier-Division

Order of battle (26 Nov 1944)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- LIII. Armeekorps
- LXXXV. Armeekorps z.b.V.
- 2. Panzer-Division (refitting)
- 116. Panzer-Division
- 276. Volks-Grenadier-Division (in transit)
- 352. Volks-Grenadier-Division (in transit)
- 326. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXIV. Armeekorps
- 275. Infanterie-Division
- 344. Infanterie-Division
- 89. Infanterie-Division
- 272. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 277. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXVI. Armeekorps
- 18. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 26. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXX. Armeekorps
- 353. Infanterie-Division
- 212. Volks-Grenadier-Division

Order of battle (31 Dec 1944)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 11. Panzer-Division
LIII. Armeekorps
- 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- Führer-Grenadier-Brigade
- 9. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXXV. Armeekorps
- 79. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 352. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXX. Armeekorps
- 276. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 212. Volks-Grenadier-Division

Order of battle (21 Jan 1945)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 9. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- Panzer-Lehr-Division
- XXXXVII. Panzerkorps
LIII. Armeekorps
- 276. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 79. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXX. Armeekorps
- 352. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 2. Panzer-Division
- 212. Volks-Grenadier-Division

Order of battle (1 Mar 1945)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 246. Volks-Grenadier-Division (forming)
LIII. Armeekorps
- Kampfgruppe 326. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 167. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 340. Volks-Grenadier-Division
XIII. Armeekorps
- 79. Volks-Grenadier-Division + 276. Volks-Grenadier-Division (remnants)
- 2. Panzer-Division
- 352. Volks-Grenadier-Division + 9. Volks-Grenadier-Division (remnants)
LXXX. Armeekorps
- Kampfgruppe 560. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- 212. Volks-Grenadier-Division

Order of battle (12 Apr 1945)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division “Nord”
LXXXX. Armeekorps
- Alarm-Einheiten
LXXXV. Armeekorps
- 11. Panzer-Division (remnants)
- Kampfgruppe Generalleutnant Schroetter
Stellvertretendes XII. Armeekorps (Wehrkreis XII)
- Kampfgruppe von Berg
- 2. Panzer-Division
LXXXII. Armeekorps
- 36. Volks-Grenadier-Division + 256. Volks-Grenadier-Division (remnants)
- 21. Flak-Division
- 416. Infanterie-Division

Order of battle (30 Apr 1945)

At the disposal of the 7. Armee
- 2. Panzer-Division (in transit)
XII. Armeekorps
- 347. Volks-Grenadier-Division
- Division Nr. 413
- Divisionsgruppe Bennicke
Stellvertretendes XIII. Armeekorps (Wehrkreis XIII)
- 11. Panzer-Division
- Ersatz und Ausbildungs-Einheiten
- Pionier-Brigade 655
LXXXV. Armeekorps

Osttruppen in the area of 7. Armee (5 Sep 1943)

LXXXXIV. Armeekorps
- Georgisches Infanterie-Bataillon 797 (5 Kompanien) (with 709. Infanterie-Division)
- Georgisches Infanterie-Bataillon 799 (5 Kompanien)
XXV. Armeekorps
- Georgisches Infanterie-Bataillon 798 (5 Kompanien) (with 384. Infanterie-Division)

Notable members

Rudolf-Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff (Active in the resistance against Hitler and also the one who in 1943 discovered the mass graves from the Soviet massacre of Polish officers in the Katyn forest, the Bundeswehr barracks Generalmajor-Freiherr-von-Gersdorff-Kaserne in Euskirchen was named in his honour 1981)


Generaloberst Friedrich Dollmann inspecting "Turm Dollmann" on the western border 1940

(Courtesy of Bundesarchiv/Wikimedia, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 Germany)

Generalmajor Rudolf-Christoph Freiherr von Gersdorff who received the Knight's Cross on 26 August 1944

(Courtesy of Bundesarchiv/Wikimedia, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 Germany)

Sources used

Research by Shawn Bohannon & Jason von Zerneck
Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945
Unit insignia illustration courtesy of Wikimedia

Reference material on this unit

Bruce Quarrie - The Ardennes Offensive I Armee & VII Armee: Southern Sector