3.Fallschirm-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. Theformation was officially ordered 11.01.43, to be completed 2.01.44. In aboutFebruary 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. Sawheavy combat in Normandy, which severly depleted the division (partly destroyed in the Falaise pocket). During August andSeptember the division fought on, while withdrawing to the German border, ending up in Aachen in September 1944. From 24.9.44 to5.10.44 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 theBulge, and was again decimated in the defensive battles in Germany of 1945. The division was ordered to Niederbreisig on 15.3.45 byOB West, to be rebuilt again. FJR.9 had been totally destroyed and was replaced by the independent FJR.6. The division surrenderedin 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

DateHigher HQLocation
2.44 – 4.44II.FsAK / Heeresgruppe Dwhileforming
5.44 – 8.44II.FsAK / AOK.7St. Lo, Falaise,Chambois, Bernay, Rouen, Montdidier, Cambrai
9.44LXXIV.AK / AOK.7Tirlemont, Maastricht,Aachen
10.44Heeresgruppe Breforming at Oldenzaal
11.44Heeresgruppe BKranenburg, Arnhem, Düren,Hürtgenwald
12.44 – 1.45LVII.AK /AOK.15Battle of the Bulge (Stadtkull, Manderfeld,Bütgenbach, St. Vith)
2.45 – 3.45LXXIV.AK / Pz.AOK.5Manderfeld, Euskirchen, Remagen, Mehlem,Eifel
4.45XII.ss AK / Pz.AOK.5Remagen, Ruhr-pocket