German order of battle in the Balkans campaign (1941) facts for kids

During World War II, two important events happened on April 6, 1941: the Axis powers, led by Germany, invaded Greece (this was called Operation Marita) and Yugoslavia. These invasions ended quickly, by May 3, 1941. This article explains how the German army was organized for these attacks.

German Army's Main Forces

The German army had many different groups of soldiers, each with a special job. These groups were called "divisions" and "corps." They were all part of bigger "armies."

Army Reserves: Ready for Action

Some special groups of soldiers were kept as "reserves" by the German High Command (the Oberkommando des Heeres). These were like backup teams, ready to be sent wherever they were needed most during the fighting.

• 4th Panzer Division: A Panzer division was a powerful group of soldiers that used many tanks.
• 12th Panzer Division: Another strong tank division.
• 19th Panzer Division: More tanks for the fight.
• 100th Light Division: These soldiers were lighter and could move faster.
• 101st Light Division: Another quick-moving group.

The Second Army: Fighting in the North

Maximilian von Weichs, a top general in the German Second Army.

The German Second Army was a large group of soldiers led by General Maximilian von Weichs. This army had several important parts:

• XXXXIX Mountain Corps: This group was good at fighting in mountains. It included the 1st Mountain Division.
• LI Army Corps: This group had two infantry divisions, which are soldiers who fight on foot.
  • 132nd Infantry Division
  • 183rd Infantry Division
• XXXXVI Army Corps (motorized): This group was special because its soldiers and equipment could move quickly using vehicles. It had strong tank divisions:
  • 8th Panzer Division
  • 14th Panzer Division
  • 16th Infantry Division (motorized): This infantry division could also move fast.

Second Army's Backup Forces

The Second Army also had its own reserves, ready to help when needed.

• LII Army Corps: This corps included three infantry divisions:
  • 169th Infantry Division
  • 197th Infantry Division
  • 125th Infantry Division

The Twelfth Army: Leading the Attack

Wilhelm List, the commander of the German Twelfth Army.

The Twelfth Army was another very important German army, led by Field Marshal Wilhelm List. This army played a big role in the invasions.

• XXXX Army Corps (motorized): This fast-moving corps had strong units:
  • 9th Panzer Division: A tank division.
  • 1st SS Brigade (motorized) Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler: A special, highly trained motorized unit.
  • 73rd Infantry Division: A standard infantry division.

• XXXVIII Mountain Corps: This corps was also skilled in mountain warfare. It included:
  • 2nd Panzer Division: Another tank division.
  • 5th Mountain Division: Good at fighting in tough, rocky areas.
  • 6th Mountain Division: More mountain fighters.
  • 72nd Infantry Division: An infantry division.
  • 125th Infantry Regiment: A smaller group of infantry soldiers.

• XXX Army Corps: This corps had two infantry divisions:
  • 50th Infantry Division
  • 164th Infantry Division

Twelfth Army's Reserve Power

The Twelfth Army also had a large group of reserves, including a very powerful tank group.

• L Army Corps: This corps had two divisions:
  • 46th Infantry Division
  • 16th Panzer Division: A strong tank division.

• Panzer Group 1: This was a huge group of tanks and motorized units, led by General Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist. It was divided into several corps:
  • XIV Army Corps (motorized): This corps had a mix of units:
    • 5th Panzer Division: A tank division.
    • 11th Panzer Division: Another tank division.
    • 4th Mountain Division: Skilled in mountain fighting.
    • 294th Infantry Division: An infantry division.
  • XXXXI Army Corps (motorized): This corps had two very famous units:
    • 2nd SS Division Das Reich: A well-known SS division.
    • Infantry Regiment (motorized) Großdeutschland: A highly regarded motorized infantry regiment.
  • XI Army Corps: This corps included several infantry divisions, some of which were motorized:
    • 60th Infantry Division (motorized): Fast-moving infantry.
    • 76th Infantry Division
    • 198th Infantry Division

More to Explore

• Operation Castigo: Learn about another related military operation.
• Operation Demon: Discover how some forces were evacuated during the Battle of Greece.