| 24th Waffen Gebirgs Division der SS | |
|---|---|
 Insignia of 24th Waffen Gebirgs Division der SS |
|
| Active | 1944 - 1945 |
| Country |  Nazi
Germany |
| Allegiance | Adolf Hitler |
| Branch |  Waffen SS |
| Type | Mountain |
| Size | Division |
| Nickname | Corn Division |
The 24th Waffen Gebirgs Division der SS was the temporary designation of a military unit of Nazi Germany during World War II. The unit was previously known as the Karstwehr Battalion; in August of 1944 it was upgraded to divisional size but this new strength was never more than theoretical and the division was later reduced to the Waffen Gebirgs Brigade der SS.[1] Whatever its designation, the unit was primarily involved in fighting partisans in the Kras (German:Karst) region of the Alps on the frontiers of Slovenia, Italy, and Austria, the mountainous terrain requiring specialized mountain troops and equipment. Founded in 1942, the unit consisted mainly of ethnic German volunteers from Italy but also of volunteers from Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and the Ukraine. Though primarily focused on anti-partisan activities, it also so other action in the wake of the Italian surrender when it moved to disarm Italian troops in Tarvisio and protect ethnic German communities in Italy. In addition, at the end of the war it successfully fought to keep passes into Austria open, allowing German units to escape the Balkans and subsequently surrender to British forces. The remains of the unit finally surrendered to the British 6th Armoured Division 9 May 1945, one of the last German formations to lay down its arms. [2]
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