First deployment, 1940 On 22 May 1940, the divisions of the tenth
Aufstellungswelle, including the 280th Infantry Division, were ordered to deploy by 1 July in anticipation of a prolonged
campaign in the west. However, as
France agreed to an armistice on 22 June, the divisions of the tenth wave were no longer necessary, and their deployment was aborted. The regiments initially intended for the 280th Infantry Division, the Infantry Regiments 556, 557, and 558, as well as the Artillery Detachment 280, returned to their reserve formations.
Second deployment, 1942 – 1945 Another division named 280th Infantry Division was deployed on 22 April 1942 in the west of
occupied Norway, in the
Stavanger sector. The division was poorly equipped throughout its history; it had no reconnaissance,
Panzerjäger, or field replacement formations, and its artillery consisted of four captured French 100mm guns. In September 1943, the 280th Infantry Division consisted of the following elements: • Fortress Battalion 655 • Fortress Battalion 657 • Fortress Battalion 666 In September 1944, the divisional headquarters were moved from Stavanger to
Bergen. On 10 November 1944, Beeren was replaced as divisional commander by
Johann de Boer. In early 1945, the 280th Infantry Division consisted of the following elements: • Battalion 645 • Battalion 655 • Battalion 658 • Battalion 666 • Battalion 1015 • Fortress Battalion "A" • Signal Company 280 • Supply Troops 280 • Panzer Company Bergen On 9 May 1945, the day after
German surrender, the division capitulated not having had seen any major combat between 1942 and 1945. == Superior formations ==