Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1

Kommandeure:

Oberst Walter Koch, 2.11.39 - 31.8.40

GenMaj Eugen Meindl, 1.9.40 - 21.5.41

Oberst Bernhard Ramcke, 21.5.41 - 18.6.41

GenMaj Eugen Meindl, 19.6.41 - 26.2.42

Formed 2.11.39 in Hildesheim, as Versuchs-Abteilung Friedrichshafen, but soon renamed Sturm-Abteilung Koch, after its commander.

Formed from:

1. kp./FJR.1
Pionier-Zug from II./FJR.1
17./KGrzbV5

On 10.5.40 saw action at Eben-Emael (Sturmgruppe "Granit"), the bridges at Vroenhoven (Sturmgruppe "Beton"), Canne (Sturmgruppe "Eisen") and Veldwezelt (Sturmgruppe "Stahl").

During Autumn 1940 increased to 3 battalions and was renamed Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1. The IV. battalion was formed in Winter 1940/41. The battalions never saw action together, except at Crete. On 26.2.42 the Stab became Stab/Luftwaffen-Division Meindl.

The battalions saw action at:

I. Bataillon:

20.5.41 - 2.6.41: Crete/Maleme
Autumn 1941: Schaikovka
1942: Hildesheim, preparing for action at Baku
1943: In France
8.43: In Rome
1.44: redesignated I./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 12

II. Bataillon:

20.5.41 - 2.6.41: Crete/Maleme
Autumn 1941: Northern Russia (Schlüsselburg)
mid-42: redesignated II./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 5

III. Bataillon:

20.5.41 - 2.6.41: Crete/Maleme
9.41: Petrochino
15.1.42 - 3.42: Juchnov, Schaikovka, Schlüsselburg and Mius
mid-42: redesignated III./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 5

IV. Bataillon:

20.5.41 - 2.6.41: Crete/Maleme
Autumn 1941: Southern Russia, later North Russia (Volkhov)
6.42: left Volkhov
Winter 42/43: South Russia
2.43: redesignated II./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 6

Organisation:

1940: I. 1-3, II. 4-6, III. 7-9, 13, 14

1940/41: I. 1-4, II. 4-8, III. 9-12, IV. 13-16

1942: I. 1-4, IV. 13-16