| 47th Infantry Division | |
|---|---|
| German:47. Infanterie-Division | |
| Active | 1 February 1944 – September 1944 |
| Country |  Germany |
| Branch |  Heer (Wehrmacht) |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | Division |
The47th Infantry Division (German:47. Infanterie-Division) was aninfantry division of the GermanHeer duringWorld War II. It was formed in February 1944 and was destroyed by the forces of theWestern Allies in theMons cauldron in September 1944. The division was then reassembled as the47th Volksgrenadier Division and operated until 1945.[1]
The 47th Infantry Division was raised on 1 February 1944 nearCalais inGerman-occupied France from the156th Reserve Division.[1] The process of reclassification of the156th Reserve Division had started on 23 November 1943.[2] Subsequently, the 47th Infantry Division was assigned to coastal defense duty against the possibility of a naval invasion by the Western Allies. When this invasion became reality asOperation Overlord, was launched starting with theD-day landings on 6 June 1944, the 47th Infantry Division under command ofOtto Elfeldt, was assigned to5th Panzer Army. The German units were unable to hold their grounds against the Allied forces, were pushed pastParis towardsMons in Belgium. There, the unit was trapped by Allied forces in acauldron battle in September 1944 and destroyed.[1]
In 1944, the 47th Infantry Division was redeployed as the47th Volksgrenadier Division.[1]