538th Frontier Guard Division (Wehrmacht)
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| 538th Frontier Guard Division | |
|---|---|
| Active | 9 December 1939 – 18 April 1941 |
| Country |  Nazi Germany |
| Branch | Army |
| Type | Infantry |
| Role | Frontier Guard |
| Size | understrength Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Spittal, Klagenfurt and Graz |
| Engagements | Invasion of Yugoslavia (World War II) |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Emmerich von Nagy |
The 538th Frontier Guard Division, also known as the Division z.b.V. 538. was a short-lived German division in World War II that participated in the invasion of Yugoslavia. It was disbanded immediately after the Yugoslav surrender.
The division was raised on 9 December 1939 in Klagenfurt within Wehrkreis XVIII using the 20th Border Defence Detachment which was stationed along the Reich-Italian border, and was commanded by Generalleutnant (Major General) Emmerich von Nagy.[1] It was called up for duty on 28 March 1941 for the invasion of Yugoslavia.[2] Along with the 1st Mountain Division, it was part of the XLIX Mountain Corps commanded by General der Infanterie (Lieutenant General) Ludwig Kübler.[3]
On the first day of the invasion, the division was stationed on the northwestern part of the border between the Reich and Yugoslavia, and seized important mountain passes, hills and tunnels on the Yugoslav side of the border. These successes enabled the spearheads of the 1st Mountain Division to quickly cross the border and push deep into Yugoslav territory.[3] The division was stood down after the invasion, and was disbanded on 18 April 1941.[2]