Jutland Division

Jutland Division
Active1 Jun 1952 - 31 Dec 1996
CountryDenmark
RoleMechanized infantry
SizeDivision
Part ofAllied Forces Baltic Approaches
AFNORTH
Western Regional Command

The Jutland Division (Jyske Divisionskommando) was a mechanized infantry formation of the Danish Army during the Cold War. It was formed during 1951-1952 as 3rd Division from assets of the III Military Region and the division headquarters was initially located in Aabenraa. As initially formed, the division had only one active brigade (1st Brigade) and two reserve brigades (the 2nd and 3rd Brigades).[1] The division changed its name to "Jutland Division" in 1961. In 1975, the division headquarters was moved to Fredericia and the 2nd and 3rd Brigades received full equipment sets. By 1979, each brigade was made up of two mechanized infantry battalion, a tank battalion, a self-propelled artillery battalion, and an armored reconnaissance squadron (company).[2] In 1981 the three armored reconnaissance squadron was merged into V/JDR Reconnaissance Battalion.

In the event of war with the Soviet Union, the division would have defended Jutland against Soviet thrusts intended to sever Denmark from the rest of NATO. The division was part of the LANDJUT command and ultimately subordinated to NATO's AFNORTH command. With the end of the Cold War, the Danish Army reorganized, and the Jutland Division transformed into the Danish Division on January 1, 1997.

  1. ^ www.artilleriet.dk
  2. ^ Keegan, p. 171