Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 3

Kommandeure:

Oberst Richard Heidrich, 31.5.40 - 31.7.42

Oberst Ludwig Heilmann, 1.8.42 - 16.11.44

Obstlt Eberhard Schneider, 16.11.44 - 4.45

Formed 1.6.40 with 3 battalions (III. formed 1.8.40, II. and III. at Braunschweig-Rautheim), from cadres of Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 1.

IV./FJR.3 was formed in the summer 1943.

I./FJR.3 was transferred to Africa 7.42, joining Brigade Ramcke, and was destroyed in Tunisia 5.43.

The new IV./FJR.3 was soon redesignated I./FJR.3.

In 3.44 III./FJR.3 was used to create the 5. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division, by becoming I./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 13.

A new III./FJR.3 was formed in May 1944.

Organisation:

1940: I. 1-4, II. 5-8, III. 9-12, 13, 14

1942: I. 1-4, II. 5-8, III. 9-12, IV. 15-18, 13, 14

1944: I. 1-4, II. 5-8, III. 9-12, 13, 14, 15 (Pi.)

Saw action independently under 7. Flieger-Division, but from May 43 served with the 1. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division:

Crete (Chania), 20.5 to 2.6.41

Russia (Leningrad, Rzhev, Orel), 1.10.41 to early 1943

Africa (Libya, Tunesia), August 1942 to May 1943 (only the I. Batallion, as part of Brigade Ramcke)