The 58. Infanterie-Division was formed on 26 August 1939 as part of the 2. Welle (wave). The division fought in Samland and Hela and surrendered to the Red Army along with the rest of Armee Ostpreußen in May 1945.

Commanders

Generalleutnant Iwan Heunert (26 Aug 1939 - 4 Sep 1941)
Generalleutnant Dr. phil. Friedrich Altrichter (4 Sep 1941 - 2 Apr 1941)
Generalleutnant Karl von Graffen (2 Apr 1941 - 1 May 1943)
General der Artillerie Wilhelm Berlin (1 May 1943 - 7 June 1943)
Generalleutnant Curt Siewert (7 June 1943 - 13 Apr 1945) (WIA)
Oberst Fritz Klasing (13 Apr 1945 - May 1945)

Operations Officers (Ia)

Major Siegfried Westphal (26 Aug 1939 - 15 Mar 1940)
Oberstleutnant Alexander Pfuhlstein (15 Mar 1940 - Mar 1941)
Oberstleutnant Gerhard Kaulbach (Apr 1941 - Sep 1942)
Major Joachim Saß (5 Oct 1942 - Feb 1943) (WIA)
Oberstleutnant Eberhard Tummeley (Feb 1943 - Feb 1943)
Oberstleutnant Karl Simon (10 Mar 1943 - 15 Nov 1944)
Major Gerhard Brühl (15 Nov 1944 - ? 1945)

Area of operations

Germany (Sep 1939 - May 1940)
France (May 1940 - Dec 1941)
Eastern front, northern sector (Dec 1941 - Oct 1943)
Eastern front, central sector (Oct 1943 - Jan 1944)
Eastern front, northern sector (Jan 1944 - June 1944)
Eastern front, central sector (June 1944 - May 1945)

Holders of high awards

Holders of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold (3)
- Petersen, Karl, 10.04.1945, Leutnant d.R., Fhr. 8./Gren.Rgt. 154
- Thedens, Hans, 07.04.1945, Hauptmann, Chef 3./Pi.Btl 158
- Wendelken, Harry, 10.04.1945, Leutnant d.R., Stab I./Gren.Rgt. 220
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (1)
- Cornelius, Herbert, 05.09.1942 (1210), Unteroffizier, 2./Art.Rgt. 158
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft (3)
- Dröge, Erwin, 01.02.1944 (435), Gefreiter, 3./Gren.Rgt. 209
- Keuch, Hermann, 11.02.1943 (301), Gefreiter, II./Inf.Rgt. 220
- Merent, [first name not listed], 20.10.1941 (7), Schütze, 2./Inf.Rgt. 220
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (120)
Holders of the German Cross in Silver (1)
- Müller, Herbert, 22.04.1945, Major d.R., Ic 58. Inf.Div.
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (15)
Holders of the Knight's Cross (30, including one unofficial/unconfirmed) (26 RK + 4 EL)
Unit-Level Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (1)
- Infanterie-Regiment 209
-- Date/Place of Action: 08.10.1941 bei Uritzk
-- Award Date: 01.11.1941 / Vorschlagsbuch (481)
Unit-Level Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft (2)
- Aufklärungs-Abteilung 158
-- Date/Place of Downing: 26.04.1942 bei Teremez
-- Award Date: 19.07.1942 (173)
- 9./Grenadier-Regiment 154
-- Date/Place of Downing: 12.08.1943 bei Arbusowo
-- Award Date: 01.11.1943 (430)

Order of battle (1939)

Infanterie-Regiment 154
Infanterie-Regiment 209
Infanterie-Regiment 220
Aufklärungs-Abteilung 158
Artillerie-Regiment 158
- I. Abteilung
- II. Abteilung
- III. Abteilung
- IV. Abteilung
Pionier-Bataillon 158
Panzerabwehr-Abteilung 158
Nachrichten-Abteilung 158
Feldersatz-Bataillon 158
Versorgungseinheiten 158

Order of battle (1942)

Grenadier-Regiment 154
Grenadier-Regiment 209
Grenadier-Regiment 220
Radfahr-Abteilung 158
Artillerie-Regiment 158
- I. Abteilung
- II. Abteilung
- III. Abteilung
- IV. Abteilung
Pionier-Bataillon 158
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 158
Nachrichten-Abteilung 158
Feldersatz-Bataillon 158
Versorgungseinheiten 158

Order of battle (1943-1945)

Grenadier-Regiment 154
Grenadier-Regiment 209
Grenadier-Regiment 220
Füsilier-Bataillon 58
Artillerie-Regiment 158
- I. Abteilung
- II. Abteilung
- III. Abteilung
- IV. Abteilung
Pionier-Bataillon 158
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 158
Nachrichten-Abteilung 158
Feldersatz-Bataillon 158
Versorgungseinheiten 158

Notable members

Werner Ebeling (post-war Generalmajor in the Bundeswehr and commander of 11. Panzergrendarier-Division)

Insignia

Personnel of this division wore a small black, white and red cord at the base of the left shoulder strap.

Propaganda & Culture

Lyrics to the "Marschlied der 58. Infanterie-Division".

Sources used

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

Reference material on this unit

William Lubbeck & David Hurt – At Leningrad’s Gates: The Story of a Soldier with Army Group North
Kurt von Zydowitz - Die Geschichte der 58. Infanterie Division 1939-1945