History |
| Originally raised for the invasion of Malta in 1942. The Brigadewas sent to North Africa in August 1942 as a reinforcement for Rommel andentered the line at El Alamein. The British attack at El Alamein did notdirectly strike the Fallschirmjaeger but they soon became involved inheavy fighting. During the withdrawal of the Afrika Corps, the Brigade wasabandoned by the high command since it had no organic transport. Ratherthan surrender, Ramcke led his troops out of the British trap and headedwest, losing about 450 men in the process. They soon captured a Britishsupply column which provided not only trucks but food, tobacco and otherluxuries. about 600 of the paras later rejoined the Afrika Corps. Therump of the Brigade fought in the final battles in the defense of Tunisia.Many senior officers and some men escaped but most of the troops werecaptured in May 1943 when Tunisia finally fell to the Allies. |
Composed of |
- Battalion Kroh – formed from the 1st Battalion of Fallschirmjaeger Regiment2, just returned from Russia
- Battalion Huebner – formed from the 2nd Battalion of the newly formedFallschirmjaeger Regiment 5
- Battalion Burkhardt – formed from a demonstration/training (Lehr) Battalion
- Battalion von der Heydte – a newly raised unit
- Artillery Battalion – formed from the 2nd Battalion of 7th Flieger Division’sparachute artillery Regiment, commander was Fenski
- Anti-tank Company, commander was Hasender
- Signal Company
- Pioneer Company, commander was Captain Cord Tietjen
|
Commander |
| Major-General Hermann Bernhard Ramcke |
