3. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division
Kommandeure:
- GenMaj Walter Barenthin, 13.9.43 - 14.2.44
- GenLt Dipl.Ing. Richard Schimpf, 17.2.44 - 20.8.44
- Gen Eugen Meindl (acting), 20.8.44 - 22.8.44
- GenMaj Walter Wadehn, 22.8.44 - 5.1.45
- GenLt Richard Schimpf, 6.1.45 - 1.3.45
- Oberst Helmut von Hoffmann, 1.3.45 - 8.3.45
- Oberst Karl-Heinz Becker, 8.3.45 - 8.4.45
- Oberst Hummel, 8.4.45 - 16.4.45
Richard Schimpf was wounded on 20.8.44 and remained in hospital until 5.1.45. He became POW on 8.3.45.
Ia:
- Maj Ottmar Meyerkort, 10.43 - 9.8.44
- Obstlt Lutz Wagner, 9.8.44 - 1.10.44
- Obstlt Fritz Plass, 1.10.44 - 25.2.45
- Maj Wilhelm Weber, 25.2.45 - 1.3.45
- Obstlt Harald Mors, 1.3.45 - 9.3.45
- Maj Ernst Borchers, 9.3.45 - 16.4.45
Formed 10.43 in Reims (formation officially ordered 1.11.43, to be completed 1.2.44). 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. The division consisted of the following units:
- 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
Later two more units were formed:
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. The following units were used to rebuild the division:
- Luftwaffe-Festung-Batailione XXVI, XXX, XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV, XXXV and XXXVII.
- parts of Flieger-Regimenter 22, 51 and 53.
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.
The division operated under the following headquarters:
| 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 |
Replacement troops were provided by the Fallschirm-Ersatz Bataillon 2 in Stendal.
© 1997-2003 Michael Holm