Most of the recruits were born in the years 1925 and 1926 (from the Niedersachsen area). Many were also "volksdeutshe," which are legally regarded as German citizens, although they spoke bad, little or no German at all (Polish corridor provinces & of Alsace-Lorraine). Considerable problems were experienced when training them, mostly due to shortage of supplies. Lack of ammunition meant that before March, the soldiers were only given three opportunities to fire their weapons live. Artillery units had no sights for their guns as well as no harnesses for the horses to transport them.  Most transportation of supplies was done by horse drawn wagons.  Training eventually did proceed better, but was hampered by the time spent on construction of coastal fortifications. On average a soldier spent nine hours on such work each day, while training only accounted for three hours.

Since most of the officers were combat experienced veterans, their knowledge of actual combat experience was passed down to the new men during the training.  Initially, it was believed that the division would be deployed on the Eastern Front, so training was geared to prepare for this. In other words, the division would be trained to fight outnumbered, out gunned, surrounded for most of the time and never to surrender. However, as early as January 1944, the division was assigned the security of the St. Lo sector which was to include a part of the Normandy Coast.

In June 1944, the division was constantly on alert for the expected Allied invasion, which finally came on the 6th.  Grenadier Regiment 916 were manning the beach defenses along the area designated "Omaha Beach" by the Allies and took a very heavy toll on the American 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions. Grenadier Regiment 915 was in reserve and would eventually see combat against the British trying to link up with the Americans around Colleville & Bayeux.  Grenadier Regiment 914 took part in the early fighting against airborne troops of the 101st US Airborne Division.  Once GR 914 completed its objectives against the paratroopers, it was ordered to link up with the 709th Infantrie Division and would eventually be involved in counter-attacks to retake Pointe du Hoc then held by American Rangers.  The battle on the beaches eventually moved inland and the reduced units of the 352 made many defensive stands and counter-attacks.

The 352 carried on fighting around St. Lo in July.  The division was in very poor shape on 30 July, when it was no longer considered combat worthy.  At the beginning of August, the division was withdrawn for refitting in the area south-east of Alençon. The division only spent about a week here before US forces again closed in.  Elements of the division would became engaged in rear guard actions along the axis Le Mans - Dreux.  

What remained of the 352 Infantrie Division was merged with 581 Volksgrenadier Division on 21 September 1944 to form the 352 Volksgrenadier Division.

At the end of October the advance party was transported from Berlin Falkensee to the Eifel - Ardennes area & the main body departed during the first week of November.  In November 1944, the Division took position along the West Wall, Monschau area.  On December 6, 1944, Gren.Rgt. 980, 11 Hetzers, and artillery counter attacked units of the 8th ID and CCR of the 5th Armored Division) at the Battle of Bergstein.  By December 15, they rejoined the Division near Gemuend and prepared to counterattack the nearby 78th US ID in order to regain Kesternich on the eve of the Ardennes Offensive (the 272.VGD never crossed the LD/LC for this Offensive).  As the tides of war changed, the 272, along with the 6th SS Panzer Army were forced to defend against the 78th US Infantry Division in Kesternich, considered to have been part of the Battle of the Huertgen Forest.  Again, they suffered heavy losses.

They were again attacked in January 1945, and by February 5, 1945, were down to 6,000 soldiers in the Eifel.  They retreated across the Roer River February 28th, and fought at Hoeningen on 16 March, which was a dozen kilometers or so to the south of Remagen.  By March 17, still defending near Hoeningen, both the remaining battalions of the Gren. Regt. 980th were captured.  All that was left was the regimental HQ company and the AT & Inf. How. companies.  Two thirds of the 272nd Volksgrenadier Division surrendered in the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket, April 1945.  Gren.Rgt. 980 made its way to the Harz Mountains, where it surrendered to the US 1st ID on 23 April 1945.

--- Thanks to Doug Nash for providing new information concerning the battle history of this unit. ---

Reformed on 17 February 1943 in Denmark from the 883rd (?) and 885th Grenadier Regiments.  It now comprised of the 191st, 194th, & the 211th Grenadier Regiments.  On 26 September 1943, the division was ordered to assume the type 44 organization.  Soon after, OKH records show that the 2/191st Regiment was detached to the 334th Infantry Division.  The 3/194th and the 3/211th Grenadier Regiments were also detached to OB West.  The remainder of the division was to organize like a typical 2nd wave division.  In Italy, during the summer of 1944, the division had seven battalions.

On 20 May 1944 the division was at Monte Cassino.  It was taken prisoner by the British in May 1945 at St. Veith.