3.Fallschrim-Jäger-Division
Lineage
  • 3.Fallschirm-Jäger-Division
    • Campaigns
  • Western Front 1944-1945
    		•
    History The 3.Fallschirm-Jäger-Division was formed on 10.43 in Reims. The formation was officially ordered 11.01.43, to be completed 2.01.44. 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.

    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.

    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.
    Organization
    General Composition
    Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 5
    Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 8
    Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 9
    Fallschirm-Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 3
    Fallschirm-Artillerie-Regiment 3
    Fallschirm-Flak-Abteilung 3
    Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 3
    Fallschirm-Luftnachrichten-Abteilung 3
    Fallschirm-Sanitäts-Abteilung 3

    Added later were the following:

    Fallschirm-Granatwerfer-Bataillon 3
    Fallschirm-Feldersatz Bataillon 3
    Commanders GenMaj. Walter Barenthin 9.13.43 - 2.14.44
    GenLt. Dipl.Ing. Richard Schimpf 2.17.44 - 8.20.44
    Gen Eugen Meindl (acting), 8.20.44 - 8.22.44
    GenMaj. Walter Wadehn 8.22.44 - 1.05.45
    GenLt. Richard Schimpf 1.06.45 - 3.01.45
    Oberst Helmut von Hoffmann 3.01.45 - 3.08.45
    Oberst Karl-Heinz Becker 3.08.45 - 4.08.45
    Oberst Hummel 4.08.45 - 4.16.45
    War Service
    Date
    Higher HQ
    Location
    2.44 - 4.44 II.FsAK / Heeresgruppe D while forming
    5.44 - 8.44 II.FsAK / AOK.7 St. Lo, Falaise, Chambois, Bernay, Rouen, Montdidier, Cambrai
    9.44 LXXIV.AK / AOK.7 Tirlemont, Maastricht, Aachen
    10.44 Heeresgruppe B reforming at Oldenzaal
    11.44 Heeresgruppe B Kranenburg, Arnhem, Düren, Hürtgenwald
    12.44 - 1.45 LVII.AK / AOK.15 Battle of the Bulge (Stadtkull, Manderfeld, Bütgenbach, St. Vith)
    2.45 - 3.45 LXXIV.AK / Pz.AOK.5 Manderfeld, Euskirchen, Remagen, Mehlem, Eifel
    4.45 XII.SS AK / Pz.AOK.5 Remagen, Ruhr-pocket