Ramcke Fallschirmjager Brigade
History:

Originally raised for the invasion of Malta in 1942. The Brigade was sent to North Africa in August 1942 as a reinforcement for Rommel and entered the line at El Alamein. The British attack at El Alamein did not directly strike the Fallschirmjaeger but they soon became involved in heavy fighting. During the withdrawal of the Afrika Corps, the Brigade was abandoned by the high command since it had no organic transport. Rather than surrender, Ramcke led his troops out of the British trap and headed west, losing about 450 men in the process. They soon captured a British supply column which provided not only trucks but food, tobacco and other luxuries. about 600 of the paras later rejoined the Afrika Corps. The rump of the Brigade fought in the final battles in the defense of Tunisia. Many senior officers and some men escaped but most of the troops were captured in May 1943 when Tunisia finally fell to the Allies.

Composed of:

Battalion Kroh - formed from the 1st Battalion of Fallschirmjaeger Regiment 2, just returned from Russia
Battalion Huebner - formed from the 2nd Battalion of the newly formed Fallschirmjaeger Regiment 5
Battalion Burkhardt - formed from a demonstration/training (Lehr) Battalion
Battalion von der Heydte - a newly raised unit
Artillery Battalion - formed from the 2nd Battalion of 7th Flieger Division's parachute artillery Regiment, commander was Fenski
Anti-tank Company, commander was Hasender
Signal Company
Pioneer Company, commander was Captain Cord Tietjen

Commander:

Major-General Hermann Bernhard Ramcke

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