Ernst Goth was the commander of Grenadier Regiment 916 (Gren Reg 916) from the beginning to the end around 29 July 1944 in the Saint-Lô area where the whole 352nd Infantry Division was deactivated.

The companies were close to several coastal villages: Vierville, St. Laurent, Colleville-sur-Mer, posted there as second line to counterattack the Allied forces once they landed.

Oberst (Colonel) Goth held the highest rank on the German side on D-Day and personally led counter-attacks to regain ground.

The 916th withdrew on 8 June from the Omaha Beach area and made the retreat to Saint-Lô.

The oldest reenactment group portraying Grenadier Regiment 916 today is known as GR916 in New England.