Eventually retreating through Germany until the end of the war, when it surrendered. On February 5, 1945 General Walter Botsch took over command of the division.[1] On March 6, 1945, when Botsch was ordered to take command of the LIIIrd Army Corps, the 18. VGD division was absorbed into the 26. VGD led by Heinz Kokott, Heinrich Himmler's brother-in-law.