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116th Panzer Division
Active	1944-1945
Country	Germany
Allegiance	Nazi Germany
Branch	Heer
Type	Panzer Division
Engagements	Operation Overlord, Operation Cobra, Battle of Aachen, Battle of Hürtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge
Commanders
Notable commanders	Generalmajor G. Muller General der Panzertruppen Graf von Schwerin Generalmajor H. Voigtsberger Generalmajor S. von Waldenburg

The 116th Panzer Division, also known as the "Greyhound Division", was a German panzer division that saw combat during World War II. It was assembled in the Rhineland and Westphalia areas of western Germany in 1944 from the remnants of the 16th Panzergrenadier Division, thus absorbing the 179th Reserve Panzer Division (Reserve), the former being badly mauled after combat on the Eastern Front, and the latter being a second-line unit that had been on occupational duty in France since 1943.

In 1944, it participated in opposing the Normandy Landings and was trapped in the Falaise Pocket following Operation Cobra. It managed to escape, although with only 600 infantry and 12 tanks intact. In October, it fought against American forces in the Battle of Aachen but was defeated, the town falling on the 21st of the same month. On 8 November, the division repulsed an attack from the U.S. 28th Infantry Division in Hürtgen Forest during the larger Battle of Hürtgen Forest, recapturing the town of Schmidt.

The 'Greyhound Division' then participated in the failed "Wacht am Rhein" Operation in the Ardennes, before its stationing on Dutch border, being withdrawn over the Rhine in March. On 18 April 1945, the division was forced to surrender to the 9th U.S. Army, having been trapped in the Ruhr Pocket ^[1].

References

The Essential Tank Indentification Guide---Wehrmacht Panzer Divisions 1939- 1945 Authors: Jorge Rosado and Chris Bishop Published by Amber books Ltd. ISBN 1-904687-46-6