The 16th had suffered heavy casualties in combat on the Eastern Front near Stalingrad, and the 179th was a second-line formation that had been on occupation duty in France since 1943.

Along with the 2nd SS Panzer Division, it was responsible for holding the pocket open to allow German troops to escape.

[4] Initially stalled by the resistance and then poor bridges in attacks to cross the Our River at Luetzkampen and Ouren,[5] it back-tracked to march through Belgium from Dasburg to Houffalize.

On 16 April 1945, the majority of the division was forced to surrender to the U.S. Ninth Army, having been trapped in the Ruhr Pocket.

[9] Remnants of the division continued to fight in the Harz mountains until 30 April, surrendering only after all of their resources had been exhausted.