The 337. Infanterie-Division was established on 16 November 1940 in Kempten within Wehrkreis VII as a static formation of the fourteenth Aufstellungswelle, organized primarily around Infanterie-Regiment 688, Infanterie-Regiment 689, Infanterie-Regiment 690, and Artillerie-Regiment 337. Commanded initially by Generalleutnant Karl Spang and subsequently by Generalleutnant Kurt Pflieger, the division served as an occupation force in western France and Brittany until mid-1942. Under the leadership of Generalleutnant Erich Marcks, it transferred to the Eastern Front, where it was integrated into Heeresgruppe Mitte and placed under 9. Armee to endure intense defensive engagements in the Rzhev salient. During the winter fighting and the subsequent withdrawal known as Unternehmen Büffelbewegung in early 1943, the formation fell back toward Dorogobuzh and fortified new lines along the Panther-Stellung. In this critical period, Oberst Otto Schünemann took over command, eventually being promoted to Generalleutnant and awarded the Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes for steadfast leadership during defensive operations south of the Dnieper. During late 1943, the worn division absorbed remnants of 113. Infanterie-Division as Divisions-Gruppe 113 while reorganizing its core around Grenadier-Regiment 313, Grenadier-Regiment 688, Divisions-Füsilier-Bataillon 337, and Panzerjäger-Abteilung 337. Command passed to Generalleutnant Walter Scheller in December 1943. Operating with 4. Armee near Orsha and Mogilev, the formation faced total annihilation in the Soviet summer offensive Operation Bagration in June and July 1944. Following catastrophic encircled fighting near the Berezina River, its remnants formed Divisions-Gruppe 337, ultimately serving as the nucleus for 337. Volksgrenadier-Division.
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EICHENLAUBTRÄGER
Generalleutnant Otto Schünemann (1891-1944) was born on 6 October 1891 in Doberan and entered military service in 1906 as a volunteer at the Unteroffiziervorschule Jülich, later serving with the 3. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß. He rose through the ranks during the First World War to Offiziersstellvertreter and after 1918 transferred to the police service, returning to the Wehrmacht in 1936 as Major. Promoted to Oberstleutnant on 1 January 1938 and to Oberst on 1 December 1940, he took command of Infanterie-Regiment 184 of the 86. Infanterie-Division at the outbreak of war. During the campaign in the East his outstanding leadership proved decisive when, on 15 July 1941, his regiment seized the city of Polozk by a bold strike from the north; this success opened the road for the LVII. Armee-Korps (mot.) to advance toward Newel and Velikiye Luki. For this achievement he was awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 20 December 1941 as Oberst and Kommandeur of Infanterie-Regiment 184. He also received the Ehrenblattspange des Heeres on 28 August 1941 and the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold on 11 February 1943. On 1 October 1942 he assumed command of the 337. Infanterie-Division, being promoted to Generalmajor on 1 November 1942 and to Generalleutnant on 1 May 1943. Under his leadership the division conducted prolonged defensive battles south of the Dnieper beginning in April 1943 on both sides of Wassiljewo, then west of Krassnyj southwest of Smolensk from mid-August, and finally south of Ljady in October. For this excellent divisional command he was awarded the Eichenlaub to the Ritterkreuz on 28 November 1943 as Generalleutnant and Kommandeur of the 337. Infanterie-Division. In late June 1944, during Operation Bagration, he was temporarily entrusted with the leadership of the XXXIX. Panzerkorps after the death of General der Artillerie Robert Martinek. On 29 June 1944 Schünemann was killed in action near Pagost east of the Beresina while leading his corps. He was named in the Wehrmachtbericht of 3 July 1944.
Source :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/337th_Infantry_Division
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