Published: 25 March 2011
The 1. Armee was formed on 26 August 1939 in Wehrkreis XII. After taking part in the invasion of France in 1940, the 1. Armee remained there on occupation duty guarding the Atlantic coast from the Loire River to the Spanish border. It provided forces for Operation “Anton”, the occupation of Vichy France in November 1942 together with Armeegruppe Felber. After retreating through France in August-September 1944, the 1. Armee fought a protracted defensive battle in Lorraine. It took part in Operation “Nordwind,” the failed offensive in Alsace in December 1944-January 1945, and, after retreating from the Saar-Palatinate, fell back beyond the Rhine River. Forced back into Bavaria, it surrendered there to U.S. forces on 8 May 1945.
Commanders
Generalfeldmarschall Erwin von Witzleben (26 Aug 1939 – 25 Oct 1940)
Generaloberst Johannes Blaskowitz (25 Oct 1940 – 10 May 1944)
General der Panzertruppe Joachim Lemelsen (10 May 1944 – 2 June 1944)
General der Infanterie Kurt von der Chevallerie (2 June 1944 – 5 Sep 1944)
General der Panzertruppe Otto von Knobelsdorff (5 Sep 1944 – 30 Nov 1944)
General der Infanterie Hans von Obstfelder (30 Nov 1944 – 28 Feb 1945)
General der Infanterie Hermann Foertsch (28 Feb 1945 – 6 May 1945) (POW)
General der Kavallerie Rudolf Koch-Erpach (6 May 1945 – 8 May 1945)
Chiefs of Staff
Generalmajor Friedrich Mieth (26 Aug 1939 – 5 Feb 1940)
Generalmajor Carl Hilpert (5 Feb 1940 – 25 Oct 1940)
Generalmajor Edgar Röhricht (25 Oct 1940 – 16 June 1942)
Generalmajor Anton-Reichard Freiherr von Mauchenheim genannt Bechtolsheim (16 June 1942 – 1 Aug 1943)
Oberst Gerhard Feyerabend (1 Aug 1943 – 10 Sep 1944)
Oberst Willi Mantey (10 Sep 1944 – 7 Dec 1944)
Oberst Walter Reinhard (7 Dec 1944 – 20 Feb 1945)
Generalmajor Wolf Rüdiger Hauser (20 Feb 1945 – 8 May 1945)
Operations Officers (Ia)
Oberst Gustav Harteneck (26 Aug 1939 – 7 Nov 1940)
Oberst Kurt Adam (10 Nov 1940 – 30 Sep 1941)
Oberst Lothar Schäfer (30 Sep 1941 – 25 Nov 1942)
Oberstleutnant Hans Gronemann-Schoenborn (25 Nov 1942 – Dec 1942)
Oberst Markert (Dec 1942 – Apr 1943)
Major Walter Carganico (Apr 1943 – Nov 1943)
Oberst Albert Emmerich (15 Nov 1943 – 8 May 1945)
Area of operations
Western front (Aug 1939 – May 1945)
Holders of high awards
Holders of the German Cross in Silver (2)
– Blaskowitz, Johannes, 30.10.1943, Generaloberst, OB 1. Armee
– Müller, Immo, 30.10.1943, Oberst, Armee-Nachrichtenführer AOK 1
Holders of the Knight’s Cross (1)
– Witzleben von, Erwin 24.06.1940 Generaloberst OB 1. Armee
Holders of high awards (Armee-Truppen)
Holders of the German Cross in Gold (1)
– Kühn, Gottfried, 07.01.1945, Rittmeister d.R., Sturm-Btl. AOK 1
Order of battle (1 Sep 1939)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– 75. Infanterie-Division
– 209. Infanterie-Division
– 214. Infanterie-Division
– 223. Infanterie-Division
– 231. Infanterie-Division
– 246. Infanterie-Division
XII. Armeekorps
– 79. Infanterie-Division
– 34. Infanterie-Division
– 15. Infanterie-Division
– 52. Infanterie-Division
Generalkommando der Grenztruppen Saarpfalz
– 6. Infanterie-Division
– 36. Infanterie-Division
– 9. Infanterie-Division
IX. Armeekorps
– 71. Infanterie-Division
– 25. Infanterie-Division
– 33. Infanterie-Division
Order of battle (8 June 1940)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– 79. Infanterie-Division
– 168. Infanterie-Division
– 197. Infanterie-Division
– 198. Infanterie-Division
XXXXV. Armeekorps
– 167. Infanterie-Division
– 95. Infanterie-Division (part)
XXX. Armeekorps
– 258. Infanterie-Division
– 93. Infanterie-Division (part)
XII. Armeekorps
– 75. Infanterie-Division
– 268. Infanterie-Division
XXIV. Armeekorps
– 60. Infanterie-Division
– 252. Infanterie-Division
Höheres Kommando z.b.V. XXXVII
– 257. Infanterie-Division
– 262. Infanterie-Division
– 215. Infanterie-Division
– 246. Infanterie-Division
Order of battle (15 Nov 1942)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– 7. Panzer-Division
– 327. Infanterie-Division
LXXX. Armeekorps
– 15. Infanterie-Division
– 708. Infanterie-Division
– 715. Infanterie-Division
– 344. Infanterie-Division
Order of battle (15 May 1944)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– 11. Panzer-Division (refitting)
LXXX. Armeekorps
– 158. Reserve-Division
– 708. Infanterie-Division
LXXXVI. Armeekorps
– 159. Reserve-Division
– 276. Infanterie-Division (in transit)
Order of battle (15 July 1944)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– 11. Panzer-Division
LXXX. Armeekorps
– 158. Reserve-Division
– 708. Infanterie-Division
LXXXVI. Armeekorps
– 159. Reserve-Division
Order of battle (15 Aug 1944)
LXXXI. Armeekorps
– 331. Infanterie-Division (most)
– Kampfgruppe 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division
– 352. Infanterie-Division (remnants)
LXIV. Armeekorps
– 16. (159. Reserve) Infanterie-Division
– 159. Reserve-Division
– Sperr-Verband Haeckel
Order of battle (31 Aug 1944)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– 352. Infanterie-Division
– LXXXII. Armeekorps
LXXX. Armeekorps
– 1. SS-Panzer-Division “Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler”
– 12.SS-Panzer-Division “Hitler Jugend”
– Panzer-Lehr-Division (part)
– 26. SS-Panzer-Division
– 27. SS-Panzer-Division
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
XXXXVII. Panzerkorps
– 15. Panzer-Grenadier-Division
– 3. Panzer-Grenadier-Division
Order of battle (16 Sep 1944)
LXXX. Armeekorps
– 5. Fallschirmjäger-Division
– Kampfgruppe Panzer-Lehr-Division
– 48. Infanterie-Division
LXXXII. Armeekorps
– 19. Grenadier-Division
– 36. Grenadier-Division
– 559. Grenadier-Division
XIII. SS-Armeekorps
– Division Nr. 462
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
– 3. Panzer-Grenadier-Division
– 15. Panzer-Grenadier-Division (part)
– 553. Grenadier-Division
– Panzer-Brigade 106 “Feldherrnhalle”
Order of battle (28 Sep 1944)
LXXXII. Armeekorps
– 48. Infanterie-Division
– 559. Grenadier-Division (part)
– 19. Grenadier-Division
– Division Nr. 462
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
XIII. SS-Armeekorps
– 3. Panzer-Grenadier-Division
– 553. Grenadier-Division
– 559. Grenadier-Division (most) + Panzer-Brigade 106 “Feldherrnhalle”
Order of battle (13 Oct 1944)
LXXXII. Armeekorps
– 416. Infanterie-Division
– 19. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 462. Infanterie-Division
XIII. SS-Armeekorps
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
– 553. Volks-Grenadier-Division (remnants)
– 559. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 48. Infanterie-Division
Order of battle (5 Nov 1944)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– 11. Panzer-Division
LXXXII. Armeekorps
– 416. Infanterie-Division
– 19. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 462. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen
– 49. Infanterie-Division (refitting)
XII. SS-Armeekorps
– 48. Infanterie-Division
– 559. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXXIX. Armeekorps
– 361. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 553. Volks-Grenadier-Division
Order of battle (26 Nov 1944)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– LXXXIX. Armeekorps
– 553. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 245. Infanterie-Division
– 256. Volks-Grenadier-Division (in transit)
LXXXII. Armeekorps
– 416. Infanterie-Division
– 19. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 21. Panzer-Division
XIII. SS-Armeekorps
– 48. Infanterie-Division
– 559. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 347. Infanterie-Division
– 36. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
– 11. Panzer-Division
Höhrer Kommandeur Vogesen
– Gruppe Bayerlein: 361. Volks-Grenadier-Division, Panzer-Lehr-Division
– Kampfgruppe 25. Panzer-Grenadier-Division
Order of battle (31 Dec 1944)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– Division Nr. 526
– 559. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 36. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
– Kampfgruppe 25. Panzer-Grenadier-Division
– 21. Panzer-Division
XIII. SS-Armeekorps
– 347. Infanterie-Division
– 19. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXXII. Armeekorps
– 416. Infanterie-Division
LXXXX. Armeekorps
– 257. Volks-Grenadier-Division
Gruppe Hoehne (LXXXIX. Armeekorps)
– 361. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 245. Infanterie-Division
– 256. Volks-Grenadier-Division
Order of battle (21 Jan 1945)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– Division Nr. 526
LXXXII. Armeekorps
– 416. Infanterie-Division
– 11. Panzer-Division
– 719. Infanterie-Division
– 347. Infanterie-Division
XIII. SS-Armeekorps
– 19. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
– 559. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXXX. Armeekorps
– 257. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division “Nord”
– 256. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 36. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXXIX. Armeekorps
– 245. Infanterie-Division
– Division Rässler
– 21. Panzer-Division
– 25. Panzer-Grenadier-Division
– 47. Volks-Grenadier-Division
Order of battle (1 Mar 1945)
At the disposal of the 1. Armee
– Division Nr. 526
– Division Rässler
LXXXII. Armeekorps
– 256. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 2. Gebirgs-Division
– 416. Infanterie-Division
– 6. SS-Gebirgs-Division “Nord”
LXXXV. Armeekorps
– 719. Infanterie-Division
– 347. Infanterie-Division
– 559. Volks-Grenadier-Division
XIII. SS-Armeekorps
– 19. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
LXXXX. Armeekorps
– 16. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 36. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 47. Volks-Grenadier-Division
LXXXIX. Armeekorps
– 257. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– Division Nr. 905
Order of battle (12 Apr 1945)
XIII. SS-Armeekorps
– Panzer-Brigade von Hobe
– Division “Bayern”
– 79. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 212. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– Stab 9. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– Infanterie-Division “Alpen”
– Divisionsstab z.b.V. 616
XIII. Armeekorps
– 553. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen
– 246. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 19. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 2. Gebirgs-Division
Order of battle (30 Apr 1945)
XIII. Armeekorps
– 198. Infanterie-Division
– 19. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 553. Volks-Grenadier-Division
XIII. SS-Armeekorps
– 38. SS-Grenadier-Division “Nibelungen” (Junkerschule Tölz)
– 212. Volks-Grenadier-Division
– 2. Gebirgs-Division
– 17. SS-Panzergrenadier-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
– Divisionsgruppe von Hobe
– Division z.b.V. 350
LXXXII. Armeekorps
– 36. Infanterie-Division
– 416. Infanterie-Division
Osttruppen in the area of 1. Armee (5 Sep 1943)
LXXX. Armeekorps
– Nordkaukasisches Infanterie-Bataillon 803 (5 Kompanien) (with 708. Infanterie-Division)
– Wolga-Tatarisches Infanterie-Bataillon 826 (5 Kompanien) (with 158. Infanterie-Division)
LXXXVI. Armeekorps
– Georgisches Infanterie-Bataillon 822 (5 Kompanien) (with 344. Infanterie-Division)
Notable members
Johannes Blaskowitz (Generaloberst who as Oberbefehlshaber Ost sent an official memorandum to Hitler complaining about atrocities of the SS-Totenkopfverbände in Poland 1939)
Erwin von Witzleben (Active in the resistance against Hitler and executed after the failure of the July 20 Plot)
Sources used
Research by Shawn Bohannon & Jason von Zerneck
Georg Tessin – Verbände und Truppen der deutschen Wehrmacht 1933-1945
Reference material on this unit
Bruce Quarrie – The Ardennes Offensive I Armee & VII Armee: Southern Sector
