153rd Grenadier Division
The 153rd Grenadier Division (), sometimes referred to as 153rd Infantry Division () in Wehrmacht documents, was an infantry division of the German Heer during World War II. It was founded under the name Division No. 153 (), and also carried the names Commander of Reserve Troops III (), 153rd Reserve Division (), and 153rd Field Training Division (). It was first deployed in August 1939, received its first redesignation in December 1939, was renamed twice more in 1942, was destroyed by forces of the Soviet Union twice and then redeployed, and was redesignated a final time in 1945. Operational history Formed on 26 August 1939 during German mobilization and shortly before the Invasion of Poland, the unit that would become the 153rd division was initially designated Commander of Reserve Troops III and served as the training division and administrative body for recruits from Wehrkreis III (Berlin). This unit was dubbed Division No. 153 on 12 December 1939. Division No. 153 continued the previous function of Commander of Reserve Troops III. The reserve regiments that were part of the division included, but were not limited to, Infantry Reserve Regiment 23 'Potsdam', Infantry Reserve Regiment 76 'Brandenburg', Infantry Reserve Regiment 218 'Berlin-Spandau', Motorized Infantry Reserve Regiment 83 'Eberswalde', and others. The division was redesignated 153rd Reserve Division () on 11 September 1942. Until this point, the division had remained in Wehrkreis III, but was now prepared to be sent to the front. The remaining replacements were moved for additional training to 463rd Division and the fighting units of the 153rd then transferred to Ukraine. This division was then soon renamed again as part of an order given on 10 December 1942. Parts of the division that were stationed in Crimea were transferred to the 258th Infantry Division, the remainders were merged to become 153rd Field Training Division (). This division was first ready for operations, specifically the training of recruits for other divisions on the Eastern Front, on 15 January 1943. The 153rd Field Training Division, which had been assigned to XXXXIX Mountain Corps under 17th Army in October 1943, was destroyed by Red Army forces in March 1944. The 153rd Field Training Division was redeployed for a second iteration using its surviving staff officers in April under command of XXIX Army Corps (6th Army) and then, starting in May, LXXII Army Corps (Third Romanian Army), before being destroyed once more in August 1944 in Romania after having briefly served under XXIX Army Corps again. The inadequately equipped 153rd had been forced into action and called up from the army group's reserves by the commanding general of XXX Army Corps, Georg-Wilhelm Postel, when Postel found himself unable to close the gaps left by retreating Romanian units. The 153rd division was unable to stop the Soviet onslaught, and was quickly defeated as the Soviets continued their advance on XXX Army Corps' right flank as well as their frontal assault against Postel's units. On 20 August, the XXIX Army Corps was ordered to