The 542. Volksgrenadier-Division was formed in October 1944 from 542. Infanterie-Division and fought in Poland and West Prussia until it was disbanded in April 1945.

Commanders

Generalleutnant Karl Löwrick (9 Oct 1944 - 8 Apr 1945)

Area of operations

Poland & West Prussia (Oct 1944 - Apr 1945)

Holders of high awards

(542. Grenadier-Division / 542. Infanterie-Division / 542. Volksgrenadier-Division)
Holders of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold (1)
- Noe, Alfred, 00.00.0000, Oberfeldwebel, Zugführer im Vers.Rgt. 1542
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army (1)
- Nimz, Paul, 27.09.1944 (4056), Hauptmann, Btl.Fhr. II./Gren.Rgt. 1078
Holders of the Commendation Certificate of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army for Shooting Down Aircraft (1)
- Jagodzinski, [first name not listed], 14.10.1944 [Date of Action] (o.Nr.), Inf.Gesch.Kp./Gren.Rgt. 1077
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (6)
- Diether, Fritz, 22.03.1945, Feldwebel, 2./Pz.Jäg.Abt. 1542
- Korupkat, Günther, 12.09.1944, Unteroffizier, 6./Gren.Rgt. 1077
- Nimz, Paul, 18.03.1945, Hauptmann, Felders.Btl. 1542
- Noe, Alfred, 08.11.1944, Oberfeldwebel, Vers.Rgt. 1542
- Vogel, Eberhard, 30.03.1945, Oberleutnant d.R., 3./Art.Rgt. 1542
- Wadakur, Alexander, 30.03.1945, Oberleutnant d.R., 1./Art.Rgt. 1542
Holders of the German Cross in Silver (2)
- Meister, Dr. Hellmut, 20.04.1945, Stabsarzt d.R., San.Kp. 1542
- Oertzen von, Joachim, 20.04.1945, Major i.G., Ib 542. Volks-Gren.Div.
Holders of the Honor Roll Clasp of the Heer (12)
Holders of the Knight's Cross (11)

Order of battle

Grenadier-Regiment 1076
Grenadier-Regiment 1077
Grenadier-Regiment 1078
Artillerie-Regiment 1542
Füsilier-Kompanie 1542
Nachrichten-Kompanie 1542
Pionier-Kompanie 1542
FlaK-Kompanie 1542
Sturmgeschütz-Abteilung 1542
Kodina 1542
Versorgungstruppen 1542

Sources used

Andris J. Kursietis - The Wehrmacht at War 1939-1945
Samuel W. Mitcham Jr - Hitler's Legions: The German Army Order of Battle World War II
George F. Nafziger - The German Order of Battle: Infantry in World War II
Georg Tessin - Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945

Reference material on this unit

- None known at this time -