The 131. Infanterie-Division was formed in October 1940 at Truppenübungsplatz Bergen from elements of 31. Infanterie-Division, 269. Infanterie-Division and the non-motorized elements of 19. Infanterie-Division.
It was destroyed on the Eastern front in February 1945.

Commanders

General der Artillerie Heinrich Meyer-Bürdorf (1 Oct 1940 - 10 Jan 1944)
Generalleutnant Friedrich Weber (10 Jan 1944 - 28 Oct 1944)
Generalmajor der Reserve Werner Schulze (28 Oct 1944 - ? Feb 1944)

Operations Officers (Ia)

Major Fritz Merker (5 Oct 1940-18 Dec 1941)
Oberstleutnant Günther von Steinsdorff (18 Dec 1941-30 Jun 1944)
Major Nette (30 Jun 1944-1 Feb 1945)
Major Bärwinkel (1 Feb 1945-late Apr 1945) (MIA)

Area of operations

Germany (Oct 1940 - June 1941)
Eastern Front, central sector (June 1941 - July 1943)
Eastern Front, southern sector (July 1943 - Sep 1943)
Eastern Front, central sector (Sep 1943 - Jan 1945)
East Prussia (Jan 1945 - Feb 1945)

Nicknames

Schwert-Division (Sword Division)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (6)
- Kober, Fritz-Helmut, 17.11.1943 (2512), Oberst, Kdr. Gren.Rgt. 431
- Meyer, Helmut, 25.10.1943 (2329), Oberleutnant, Chef 1./Div.Füs.Btl. 131
- Oltmann, Helmut, 27.09.1944 (4054), Unteroffizier, VB i. d. 11./Art.Rgt. 131
- Reiche, Werner, 07.09.1944 (3857), Hauptmann, Kdr. I./Gren.Rgt. 434
- Schulte, Gustav, 05.05.1944 (3231), Oberfeldwebel, Offz. z.b.V. im Pi.Btl. 131
- Wagner, Helmut, 05.09.1944 (3810), Hauptmann, Chef 11./Gren.Rgt. 431
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft (3)
- Kettler, Otto, 19.06.1942 (163), Obergefreiter, 2./Inf.Rgt. 431
- Pfeiffer, [first name not listed], 16.05.1942 (86), Obergefreiter, Stab/Art.Rgt. 131
- Stegmann, [first name not listed], 16.05.1942 (85), Obergefreiter, Stab/Art.Rgt. 131
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (91)
Holders of the German Cross in Silver (4)
- Cartsburg, Dr. Wilhelm, 04.04.1945, Oberstabsarzt, Stab 131. Inf.Div.
- Müller, Gerhard, 24.11.1944, Hauptmann (W), Stab 131. Inf.Div.
- Weber, Dr. Gerauld, 02.06.1944, Stabsarzt d.R., 1. Chirurg San.Kp. 1/131
- Zorn, Dr. Dietrich, 28.06.1944, Stabsarzt d.R., San.Kp. 2/131
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (37)
Holders of the Knight's Cross (21)
Unit-Level Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft (3)
- 5./Infanterie-Regiment 434
-- Date/Place of Downing: 11.11.1941 bei Schutilowo
-- Award Date: 10.12.1941 (55)
- 2./Infanterie-Regiment 431
-- Date/Place of Downing: 27.01.1942 bei Ugolniza
-- Award Date: 16.05.1942 (103)
- II./Grenadier-Regiment 434
-- Date/Place of Downing: 08.05.1943 bei Studenowo
-- Award Date: 14.10.1943 (391)

Order of battle (1940)

Infanterie-Regiment 431
Infanterie-Regiment 432
Infanterie-Regiment 434
Artillerie-Regiment 131
Divisionseinheiten 131

Order of battle (1944)

Grenadier-Regiment 431
Grenadier-Regiment 432
Grenadier-Regiment 434
Füsilier-Bataillon 131
Artillerie-Regiment 131
Divisionseinheiten 131

Sources used

Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945

Reference material on this unit

Wilhelm Blankenhagen - Im Zeichen des Schwertes: Erinnerungen an den Weg der 131. Infanterie Division