2. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division

Kommandeure:

Ia:

Ramcke was wounded in September 1943. When the division returned to Germany from Russia, the division was again taken over by Ramcke. On 11.8.44 Ramcke became Kommandant der Festung Brest, and Kroh again took command of the division. Both became POW when Brest fell in September 1944. Lackner took command of the new division.

Formed 2.43 in Western France (Vannes/Bretagne area) under the 7th Army. The division was formed from Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 2 and the II./Fallschirm-Artillerie-Regiment 1. The two new regiments, FJR 6 and FJR 7, were formed from various other units: Luftwaffen-Feld-Bataillon 100, IV./Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1 and Lehr-Bataillon/XI. Fliegerkorps. The division initially consisted of the following units:

In late May 1943 the division moved to Ales and Nimes, and became subordinated to XI. Fliegerkorps/Heeresgruppe D as a strategic reserve, together with the 1. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division. A month later the division was ordered to Italy, and took up station guarding the coast between the Tiber estuary and Tarquinia, now directly under Oberbefehlshaber Süd. On 9.9.43 the unit moved into Rome, to disarm its garrison. The only major resistance was encountered at Monterotondo, which was dealt with by II./FJR 6. Three days later, the 1st company of FJR 7, participated in the rescue of Mussolini, at Gran Sasso d'Italia. In the next two months, the division remained stationed near Rome, but part of the division participated in two major actions: 17.9.43 II./FJR 7 at Elba and 12.11.43 I./FJR.2 at Leros. The rest of the division remained in reserve, subordinated directly to OB Süd. During its stay in Italy, two more formations were formed within the division:

In late November 1943 the division transferred to Shitomir in Russia, now under XXXXII. AK / Pz.AOK 4. Part of the division remained in Italy however, and was used to form the 4. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division. The units were I./FJR.2, II./FJR 6 and I./FJR 7. The whole FJR 6 was now disbanded, with I./FJR 6 becoming the new I./FJR 7. Thus the division arrived in Russia with only two regiments. During the next few months the division saw action in Russia under the following headquarters:

In May 1944 the depleted division moved to Köln-Wahn for a period of rest and rebuilding. In less than a month the division was on the move again, this time to Normandy, now under XXV. AK / AOK.7 (Div. HQ: Concarneau). There it was joined by the new FJR 6, however this was to be shortlived, on D-Day the regiment again became independent. The division saw only little combat in June 1944, and in July was in reserve, under AOK.7, in the Quimper - Landerneau area. In August and September the division participated in the defence of Brest (XXV.AK, directly under Heeresgruppe D). When Brest fell on 19.9.44, the division surrendered (except FJR 6 and I./FJR.2, which escaped encirclement at Brest).

The order for reactivation was issued on 24.9.44 (to be completed 1.11.44), and all remnants of the old division were united in Amersfoort, Holland. The new division was combat ready in early December 1944, with three new regiments: FJR.2, FJR 7 and FJR.23. The new troops were provided from Oldenburg, Halle and the Berlin area. The Division went into combat in January 1945:


* On 22.3.45 the remnants was to have been incorporated into the 9. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division - but this was cancelled
** 4.45, destroyed in Ruhr pocket.

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

© 1997-2003 Michael Holm