| 281st Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | March 1941 – May 1945 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Army (Wehrmacht) |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Rear-security division |
| Size | Division |
| Engagements | Eastern Front Bandenbekämpfung |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Theodor Scherer |
281st Security Division (281. Sicherungs-Division) was arear-security division in theWehrmacht ofNazi Germany. Established in 1941, the unit was deployed in German-occupied areas of theSoviet Union, in theArmy Group North Rear Area. The unit was converted to aninfantry division in 1945, while stationed inCourland.
Formed in March 1941, the 281st Security Division served inArmy Group North Rear Area, inNorthern Russia.[1] The divisionextensively participated in war crimes; the divisional personnel had to be reminded by their commanders on 5 August 1941 to not comment on their various mass shootings in their writings or in conversations with civilians.[2]
In early 1942, commanded by GeneralTheodor Scherer, elements of the division were encircled by the Soviet forces at Kholm in what became known as theKholm Pocket. The pocket was relieved after four months.[1] For the next two years, it was stationed in the northern sector and engaged in rear-area security andanti-partisan operations, although elements of the division saw action at the front line. One of the major anti-partisan operations it engaged in was Operation Frühjahrsbestellung in April 1943.[3] It was destroyed in mid-1944.[1]
It was reconstituted inCourland in January 1945 as the 281st Infantry Division. It retreated to theOder River, where in May it surrendered with the rest of the3rd Panzer Army.[1]