Dragon 6084 16th LUFTWAFFE FIELD DIVISION (NORMANDY 1944)

16th Field Division of the Luftwaffe (Ger. 16. Luftwaffen-Feld-Division ) was formed at the beginning of December 1942. In the summer of 1943, it was transformed into the so-called a stationary division (German: bodenständige) and transferred to France, where it was to man the Atlantic Wall. In the same 1943, it was subordinated to the command of the land forces and renamed to 16. Luftwaffe Infanterie Division, and finally on the 16th Volksgrenadier Division. It can be assumed that the unit - due to its remarkably "rear character" - was poorly armed and trained. Some sources also indicate that a large part of its staff (especially privates and non-commissioned officers) are people often over 30 years of age. It is also worth adding that a significant part of the staff of this unit previously served in the German Air Force as ground service and underwent only a few weeks of infantry training, which had a negative impact on the morale of the division and its combat capabilities. The 16th Luftwaffe Field Division fought mainly in the Caen area in the period June-July 1944, suffering very high losses, often exceeding 75% of the manpower!