Established in March 1941 as part of the German military build-up prior to Operation Barbarossa, the 285. Sicherungs-Division functioned as a vital rear-security formation within the Heer of Nazi Germany, operating primarily in the occupied territories of the Soviet Union under the command structure of the Heeresgruppe Nord rear area. Tasked with pacifying captured zones, securing vital supply lines, guarding communication hubs, handling prisoners of war, and managing refugee streams around strategic locations like Luga and Pskov, the division played an integral role in the brutal security doctrine enforced across the Eastern Front. Commanded initially by Generalmajor Wolfgang Edler Herr und Freiherr von Plotho and later by Generalleutnant Gustav Adolph-Auffenberg-Komarów, the unit incorporated various sub-elements including the Infanterie-Regiment 322, later designated as Grenadier-Regiment 322, along with Sicherungs-Regiment 113, the Ost-Reiter-Abteilung 285, and supporting artillery and signal units. Throughout 1941 and 1942, the division participated extensively in anti-partisan sweeps and pacification campaigns, frequently reporting numerous casualties inflicted on partisan fighters while enduring minimal personnel losses during early security operations. As Soviet partisan resistance intensified and the front lines shifted, the division engaged in major anti-guerrilla efforts such as Operation Schnepfe-Wildente in late 1943, which resulted in widespread village destructions and civilian deportations south of Volosovo. By 1944, as the Red Army mounted severe counter-offensives and pushed westward, elements of the 285. Sicherungs-Division were thrust into frontline defensive fighting, including heavy engagements along the Narva front where components like Sicherungs-Regiment 113 suffered severe destruction during the brutal withdrawal through Estonia. Due to mounting attrition, heavy combat losses, and the collapse of the rear security sectors on the Eastern Front, the division was officially broken up, with its remaining operational elements transferred to other security divisions before the formal administrative dissolution of the headquarters was completed on November 9, 1944.
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RITTERKREUZTRÄGER
Generalmajor Georg Koßmala (1896-1945) was born on 22 October 1896 in Myslowitz, Upper Silesia, and entered military service as a Kriegsfreiwilliger in the 4. Oberschlesisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 63 of the Preußische Armee shortly after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, rising to Leutnant der Reserve by 1917 and earning both classes of the Eisernes Kreuz; after the war he transferred to the police service in 1920, serving in various capacities including in Hamburg and as an instructor before being taken over into the Wehrmacht as Hauptmann on 1 October 1935 with a patent from 1 February 1931, subsequently promoted to Major on 1 January 1936, Oberstleutnant on 1 February 1939 while commanding the III. Bataillon of Infanterie-Regiment 38 of the 8. Infanterie-Division with which he participated in the Polish campaign, and Oberst on 1 January 1942. From March 1941 he commanded Sicherungs-Regiment 3 under the 285. Sicherungs-Division, and it was for his outstanding defensive leadership in the Demjansk pocket that he received the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes on 13 March 1942: beginning on 16 January 1942 he occupied and held the Molwotizy position against repeated Soviet assaults, assumed command of all German formations in the Molwotizy hedgehog on 23 February 1942, and maintained the position with bitter determination until ordered by the Korps to withdraw on 8 March 1942. On 5 July 1942 he took command of Infanterie-Regiment 6 (later Grenadier-Regiment 6) of the 30. Infanterie-Division, fighting in the Demjansk area and before Leningrad, and for his regiment’s distinguished performance in early 1944 he was awarded the Eichenlaub (435th award) to the Ritterkreuz on 26 March 1944 as Oberst: on 23 January 1944 he took over the German Schimsk bridgehead west of Lake Ilmen, where numerous Soviet tanks were destroyed on 17 February; two days later his men began the withdrawal to the Panther Line between Ostrov and Pskov, and from 29 February Grenadier-Regiment 6 distinguished itself in the heavy fighting within the forward German salient between Krasnaja Gorka and Nemojewo, success largely attributable to his personal bravery and leadership. He later led the 32. Infanterie-Division from mid-August 1944, commanded the newly forming 272. Volksgrenadier-Division from mid-September to mid-December 1944, and assumed leadership of the 344. Infanterie-Division in mid-December 1944, being promoted to Generalmajor on 1 January 1945 and confirmed as its Kommandeur; additional awards included the Spange to the Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse on 6 October 1939 and 1. Klasse on 22 August 1941, the Verwundetenabzeichen in Silber, and mention in the Wehrmachtbericht on 25 August 1944. Georg Koßmala, last rank Generalmajor and Kommandeur of the 344. Infanterie-Division, was reported missing and later declared dead on 18 March 1945 near Oberglogau in Upper Silesia.
Source :
https://www.balsi.de/Weltkrieg/Einheiten/Heer/Divisionen/Sicherungs-Divisionen/285-SD.htm
http://www.old.axishistory.com/axis-nations/150-germany-heer/heer-divisionen/4195-285-sicherungs-division
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/285th_Security_Division
https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/SichDiv/285SichDiv-R.htm
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