11. SS-Freiwilligen-Panzergrenadierdivision ‘Nordland’
1944–1945
Nordland, along with the rest of III. (Germanic) SS Panzer Corps arrived at the front near Leningrad and was put into action against the Red Army attacks aimed at breaking the German encirclement of the city. The Red Army forced the Nordland to withdraw to Oranienbaum. On 14 January 1944, the Soviet Krasnoye Selo–Ropsha Offensive succeeded in collapsing the German front, forcing the Nordland to retreat and fight "rear-guard" actions back to the city of Narva in northeastern Estonia to a new defensive line.
From 27 July 1944, Nordland fought alongside the 20th SS Grenadier Division (1st Estonian) and elements of the Grossdeutschland Division In the Battle of Tannenberg Line. During these battles the commanders of the Norge and Danmark regiments were killed in action. While visiting the front line, Nordland Division's commander, Gruppenführer Fritz von Scholz was caught in an artillery barrage and received a head wound. Scholz died on 28 July 1944. Thereafter, Brigadeführer Joachim Ziegler took over command of the Nordland Division.
Kurland Pocket
From late October to December 1944, the Nordland Division fought fierce defensive battles in the Kurland Pocket. Though the division had been assembled at Priekulė for a breakout to the south, the Red Army had become aware of the German intentions. On 16 October 1944, the battles for Kurland Pocket began when Soviet troops met the division’s attack with full force. Nevertheless, the division was able to hold their positions. During a second attempt to break the German forces in Kurland, the division was able to maintain its lines.
On 23 January 1945, a fourth Red Army attack to clear the Kurland Pocket, focused on Priekulė, was launched. Multiple Red Army assaults succeeded in breaking into the German positions. However, together with 14. Panzerdivision, Nordland was able to retake their positions after counterattacking.
In January 1945, the division was ordered to the Baltic port of Libau, where it was evacuated by sea from late October to December 1944, the Nordland remained in the pocket, by early December the divisional strength was down to 9,000 men. In January 1945, the division was ordered to the Baltic port of Libau, where it was evacuated by sea.