The 16. Infanterie-Division (mot) was formed in November 1940 when 16. Infanterie-Division was motorized. It was redesignated 16. Panzergrenadier-Division in November 1942.

Two squadrons of Kalmyck volunteers were set up by the division in September 1942, these first Kalmyck units would later be formed into the Kalmüken Verband Dr. Doll.

Commanders

General der Infanterie Friedrich-Wilhelm von Chappius (1 Nov 1940 - 15 Mar 1941)
General der Panzertruppen Sigfrid Henrici (16 Mar 1941 - ? Oct 1941)
Generalleutnant Johannes Streich (? Oct 1941 - ? Nov 1941)
General der Panzertruppen Sigfrid Henrici (? Nov 1941 - 13 Nov 1942)

Area of operations

Germany (Nov 1940 - Apr 1941)
Balkans (Apr 1941 - June 1941)
Eastern front, southern sector (June 1941 - Nov 1942)

Combat rating

On 15 april 1942 it was rated fully fit for all defensive missions.

Manpower strength

1 Dec 1941 - 15 Jan 1942, it reported losing a total of 1.676 men while receiving 1.155.
15 Jan 1942, it reported an Iststärke of 317 officers. 1.999 NCOs and 10.738 men, for a total of 13.054.
10 Feb 1942, it reported being short 72 officers. 339 NCOs and 2.129 men - in all, a Fehl of 2.540.
A 2. Armee 26 February 1942 planning document identified it as one of only two divisions in the army that was to be brought fully up to strength before the campaigning season
By 1 Mar 1942 the refreshment process was almost completed, it was missing only one further Marsch-Bataillon (replacement unit). On that date, it was short 877 men.
27 March 1942, it was short 427 men
15 april 1942, it reported a Fehl of only 320 men. Having received 393 replacements since 16 March, it was rated fully fit for all defensive missions.
May 1942, the division was reorganised to a changed and reduced structure. The new structure called for only 13.415 men - several hundred fewer than it possessed at this time.
In the course of May 1942 it received a further 1.384 replacements and on 20 May it reported no personnell shortages.

Holders of high awards

See 16. Panzergrenadier–Division

Order of battle (January 1941)

Infanterie-Regiment 60 (mot)
Infanterie-Regiment 156 (mot)
Aufklärungs-Abteilung 341 (mot)
Kradschützen-Bataillon 165
Artillerie-Regiment 146 (mot)
Panzerjäger-Abteilung 228 (mot)
Nachrichten-Abteilung 228 (mot)
Pionier-Bataillon 675 (mot)
Infanterie-Divisions-Nachschubführer 228 (mot)
Verwaltungsdienste 228
Sanitätsdienste 228

Order of battle (July 1942)

Infanterie-Regiment 60 (mot)
Infanterie-Regiment 156 (mot)
Kradschützen-Bataillon 165
Panzer-Abteilung 116
Artillerie-Regiment 146 (mot)
- I. – III. Abteilung
- IV. Abteilung [= renamed He.-Flak.Art.Abt 281]
Panzerjäger-Abteilung (Sfl) 228
Nachrichten-Abteilung 228 (mot)
Pionier-Bataillon 675 (mot)
Infanterie-Divisions-Nachschubführer 228 (mot)
Verwaltungsdienste 228
Sanitätsdienste 228

Sources used

BA-MA RH20-2/186
BA-MA RH20-2/189
BA-MA RH20-2/327
BA-MA RH20-2/329
Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945
Pierre C.T. Verheye - The sleeve insignia of the Kalmücken-Verband Dr. Doll (in The Military Advisor, Vol 13 No 4)

Reference material on this unit

Fritz Memminger - Die Kriegsgeschichte der Windhund Division: 16. Infanterie Division (mot.), 16. Panzergrenadier Division, 116. Pz Division
Kurt Wendt - Wir Für Alle: Die Ritterkreuzträger der Division, Die Ritterkreuz-Träger der 16. ID ( mot ), 16. Pz.Gren.Div u. 116. Pz.Div