History

The 164th Infantry Division (German: 164. Infanterie-Division) was an infantry division of the German Army during World War II. Formed in November 1939, the division 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 mid-1942 the division was transferred to North Africa and re-designated as 164th Light Africa Division (German: Leichte Afrika Division), also alternatively spelt 164th Light Afrika Division in some anglophone literature. It surrendered in May 1943 in Tunisia at the end of the North African Campaign.

The 164th Infantry Division was formed on 27 November 1939. It was held in reserve during the Battle of France and was later involved in the invasion of Greece in April 1941. After the end of the campaign, it was stationed in Salonika on occupation duty. During this time, one of its infantry regiments was detached to serve on the Greek island of Rhodes.

In early 1942 the division was transferred to North Africa to serve with the Panzer Armee Afrika. It was now designated as the 164th Light Afrika Division; each of its regiments only had two battalions. The division fought at El Alamein.

It spent the final stages of the campaign in Tunisia fighting against Free French troops as part of the 1st Italian Army. Liebenstein, the division's final commander, surrendered to Lieutenant General Bernard Freyberg, commander of the 2nd New Zealand Division.

Featured Missions

CampaignMission
Tunisia : Southern OperationsPushing the Tebaga Gap