42nd Jäger Division was a light infantry formation of the German Army during World War II. It can trace its origins to the 187th Infantry Division which was based in Austria until September 1942, when it was redesignated as the 187th Reserve Division. The 187th was sent to Croatia and was redesignated the 42nd Jäger Division in January 1944. 42. Jäger-Division was formed 22 Dec 1943 in Croatia from the 187. Reserve-Division. After taking part in Operation Margarthe, in March 1944, and then returned to Yugoslavia in May. In July 1944 the division was transferred to Italy where it remained for the rest of the war and surrendered in April 1945.
Background
The main purpose of the German Jäger Divisions was to fight in adverse terrain where smaller, coordinated formations were more facilely combat capable than the brute force offered by the standard infantry divisions. The Jäger divisions were more heavily equipped than their 'mountain' counterparts, but not as well armed as a larger infantry division. In the early stages of the war, they were the interface divisions fighting in rough terrain and foothills as well as urban areas, between the mountains and the plains. The Jägers relied on a high degree of training and slightly superior communications, as well as their not inconsiderable artillery support. In the middle stages of the war, as the standard infantry divisions were downsized, the Jäger structure of divisions with two infantry regiments, became the standard table of organization. Adolf Hitler declared that all infantry divisions were to be Grenadier Divisions in 1943 except for his elite Jäger and Mountain Jaeger divisions.
War crimes
The division is one of several implicated in the Ronchidoso massacre, Emilia-Romagna between 28 and 30 November 1944, when 66 civilians were executed.
Commanders
General der Infanterie Walther Graeßner
Generalleutnant Konrad Stephanus
Generalleutnant Josef Brauner von Haydringen
Generalleutnant Walter Jost
Area of operations
As 187th Division Austria As 187th Reserve Division Austria Croatia As 42nd Jäger Division Croatia Hungary Yugoslavia Italy
