The unit was raised on 12 October 1944 in Brixen, Italy, from local conscripts with a cadre of Germans; its training was completed in December. The previous month it reported a strength of 1,335 men in three battalions. When the men learned that it might be transferred to the front lines in early 1945, many deserted. In February, the two remaining battalions were used to rebuild SS Volunteer Grenadier Regiment 80 of the 31st SS Volunteer Grenadier Division.