Country Nazi Germany Type Infantry | Branch Army Size Division | |
Active November 1939 – May 1943 | ||
The 164th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the German Army during World War II. It was initially created as the 164th Infantry Division in November 1939 and took part in the invasion of Greece in April 1941. In January 1942, consolidating the Axis seizure of the island during the Battle of Crete, the 164th was reorganized as Fortress Division Kreta (FDK). In August 1942 the division was split to form the smaller Fortress Brigade Kreta and the 164th Light Afrika Division (German: Leichte Afrika Division), with the former remaining in Crete and the latter being sent to North Africa.
Contents
The 164th Light Afrika Division fought at El Alamein and took heavy casualties in the westward retreat. It was sent to Tripoli for rehabilitation, but the necessary resources were not available, so it was sent to Tunisia to build fortifications. It was almost entirely destroyed there, and the remnants were lost in the general Axis surrender in May.