The 18th Artillery Division was formed by the Stab (Staff) from remaining parts of the disbanded 18th Panzer Division on October 1, 1943. This was the first artillery division planned as an independent and mobile artillery force and a part of Aufstellungsbefehls. The ideal structure for the division was never achieved. It was formed from an infantry assault-gun and armored observation company (with four medium tanks). This formation was reinforced with an infantry rifle battalion which had the task of defending the division.