2.Fallschirm-Jäger-Division

Lineage

• Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 2
• 2.Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment

Campaigns

• South France/Italy 1943
• Eastern Front 1943-1944
• France 1944
• Destroyed Festung Brest 1944
• Reformed Holland 1944
• Western Front 1945

History

In late May 1943 the division moved to Ales and Nimes, and became subordinated to Fliegerkorps XI/Heeresgruppe D as a strategicreserve, together with the 1.Fallschirm-Jäger-Division. A month later the division was ordered to Italy, and took up station guardingthe coast between the Tiber estuary and Tarquinia, now directly under Oberbefehlshaber Süd. On 9.9.43 the unit moved into Rome, todisarm 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 remainedstationed near Rome, but part of the division participated in two major actions: 9.17.43 II./FJR.7 at Elba and 11.12.43 I./FJR.2 atLeros. The rest of the division remained in reserve, subordinated directly to OB Süd.

In late November 1943 the division transferred to Shitomir in Russia, now under XXXXII.AK/Pz.AOK 4. Part of the divisionremained 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 tworegiments.

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 onthe move again, this time to Normandy, now under XXV.AK/AOK.7 (Div. HQ: Concarneau). There it was joined by the newFJR.6, however this was to be shortlived, on D-Day the regiment again became independent. The division saw only little combat inJune 1944, and in July was in reserve, under AOK.7, in the Quimper – Landerneau area. In August and September the divisionparticipated in the defence of Brest (XXV.AK, directly under Heeresgruppe D). When Brest fell on 9.19.44, the division surrendered(except FJR.6 and I./FJR.2, which escaped encirclement at Brest).

The order for reformation was issued on 9.24.44 (to be completed 11.01.44), and all remnants of the old division were united inAmersfoort, Holland. The new division was combat ready in early December 1944, with three new regiments: FJR.2, FJR.7 andFJR.23. The new troops were provided from Oldenburg, Halle and the Berlin area. The Division went into combat in January 1945. Itended the war in the Ruhr Pocket in April 1945.

Organization

Added later were the following:

Fallschirm-MG-Bataillon 2
Fallschirm-Flak-Abteilung 2
Fallschirm-Granatwerfer-Bataillon 2 (added 5.44)

Commanders