3. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division

Kommandeure:

Richard Schimpf was wounded on 20.8.44 and remained in hospital until 5.1.45. He became POW on 8.3.45.

Ia:

Formed 10.43 in Reims (formation officially ordered 1.11.43, to be completed 1.2.44). In about February 1944, the division moved to the Brest area, under II.FsAK / Heeresgruppe D. The Division was not ready for combat until May 1944, now under II.FsAK / AOK.7. The division consisted of the following units:

Later two more units were formed:

On 6.6.44 the division was stationed about midway between Quimper and Brest, and went into combat under II.FsAK / AOK.7. Saw heavy combat in Normandy, which severly depleted the division (partly destroyed in the Falaise pocket). During August and September the division fought on, while withdrawing to the German border, ending up in Aachen in September 1944. From 24.9.44 to 5.10.44 the division was rebuilt in Oldenzaal, Belgium. The following units were used to rebuild the division:

Saw some action in Arnhem during this time, initially known as Kampfgruppe Becker. The division participated in the Battle of the Bulge, and was again decimated in the defensive battles in Germany of 1945. The division was ordered to Niederbreisig on 15.3.45 by OB West, to be rebuilt again. FJR.9 had been totally destroyed and was replaced by the independent FJR.6. The division surrendered in the Ruhr-pocket.

The division operated under the following headquarters:

Replacement troops were provided by the Fallschirm-Ersatz Bataillon 2 in Stendal.


© 1997-2003 Michael Holm