3rd Parachute Division (Germany)
Encyclopedia
The 3rd Parachute Division was a German
military unit
that was active during World War II
. Its formation began in October 1943 in France
near Reims
. From February 1944 near Brest
. In March 1944 division was reinforced by soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Parachute Regiment.
Airborne
division
which fought during World War II. It was formed during 1943-44 around a cadre consisting of the veteran 3rd Battalion, 1st Parachute Regiment. Training was intensive and emphasised initiative and improvisation. The Division was well equipped with 930 MG42
s. Each company
had 20 MG 42s and 43 sub machine guns while a squad
had 2 MG42s and 5 sub machine guns. In comparison its main opponent, the 29th Infantry Division had just 2 M1919 machine guns and 9 BARS per company and a squad had just one BAR. The 3rd Parachute Division had 3 times as many mortars and with larger calibre. So it had between six and twenty times more firepower. It arrived in Normandy on 10 June, by truck
after a night drive from Brittany
. It was at full strength and consisted of young German volunteers, and numbered 15,976 soldiers and officers. Its level of training and excellent weapon systems prompted the commander of 29th Infantry Division to remark, "Those Germans are the best damned soldiers I ever saw. They're smart and they don't know what 'fear' means. They come in and they keep coming until they get their job done or you kill 'em.".
. In August it was virtually destroyed in the area of Falaise
. Formed again in Belgium
thanks to replacements from 22nd, 51st, 53rd Luftwaffe
Field Regiments. During September 1944 it fought as a part of Kampfgruppe "Becker" in Arnhem
area. It surrendered in April 1945 to American
troops in Ruhr
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
military unit
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
that was active during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Its formation began in October 1943 in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
near Reims
Reims
Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire....
. From February 1944 near Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
. In March 1944 division was reinforced by soldiers from the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Parachute Regiment.
Equipment and training
The 3rd Parachute Division was a GermanGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
which fought during World War II. It was formed during 1943-44 around a cadre consisting of the veteran 3rd Battalion, 1st Parachute Regiment. Training was intensive and emphasised initiative and improvisation. The Division was well equipped with 930 MG42
MG42
The MG 42 is a 7.9mm universal machine gun that was developed in Nazi Germany and entered service with the Wehrmacht in 1942...
s. Each company
Company
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
had 20 MG 42s and 43 sub machine guns while a squad
Squad
In military terminology, a squad is a small military unit led by a non-commissioned officer that is subordinate to an infantry platoon. In countries following the British Army tradition this organization is referred to as a section...
had 2 MG42s and 5 sub machine guns. In comparison its main opponent, the 29th Infantry Division had just 2 M1919 machine guns and 9 BARS per company and a squad had just one BAR. The 3rd Parachute Division had 3 times as many mortars and with larger calibre. So it had between six and twenty times more firepower. It arrived in Normandy on 10 June, by truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
after a night drive from Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
. It was at full strength and consisted of young German volunteers, and numbered 15,976 soldiers and officers. Its level of training and excellent weapon systems prompted the commander of 29th Infantry Division to remark, "Those Germans are the best damned soldiers I ever saw. They're smart and they don't know what 'fear' means. They come in and they keep coming until they get their job done or you kill 'em.".
Operational history
The division went into combat in June 1944 in NormandyNormandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
. In August it was virtually destroyed in the area of Falaise
Falaise pocket
The battle of the Falaise Pocket, fought during the Second World War from 12 to 21 August 1944, was the decisive engagement of the Battle of Normandy...
. Formed again in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
thanks to replacements from 22nd, 51st, 53rd Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe
Luftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
Field Regiments. During September 1944 it fought as a part of Kampfgruppe "Becker" in Arnhem
Arnhem
Arnhem is a city and municipality, situated in the eastern part of the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of Gelderland and located near the river Nederrijn as well as near the St. Jansbeek, which was the source of the city's development. Arnhem has 146,095 residents as one of the...
area. It surrendered in April 1945 to American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
troops in Ruhr
Ruhr
The Ruhr is a medium-size river in western Germany , a right tributary of the Rhine.-Description:The source of the Ruhr is near the town of Winterberg in the mountainous Sauerland region, at an elevation of approximately 2,200 feet...
Commanding officers
- Generalmajor Walter Barenthin, 13 September 1943 – 14 February 1944
- Generalleutnant Dipl.Ing. Richard SchimpfRichard SchimpfDipl.-Ing. Richard SchimpfIn German an engineer's degree is called Diplom-Ingenieur was a highly decorated Generalleutnant in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II and a Generalmajor in the Bundeswehr. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
, 17 February 1944 – 20 August 1944 - General der Fallschirmtruppe Eugen MeindlEugen MeindlEugen Meindl was a highly decorated German Fallschirmjäger and general during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords...
(acting), 20 August 1944 – 22 August 1944 - Generalmajor Walter Wadehn, 22 August 1944 – 5 January 1945
- Generalleutnant Dipl.Ing. Richard Schimpf, 6 January 1945 – 1 March 1945
- Oberst Helmut von Hoffmann, 1 March 1945 – 8 March 1945
- Oberst Karl-Heinz BeckerKarl-Heinz Becker (Fallschirmjäger)Karl-Heinz Becker was a highly decorated Oberst in the Fallschirmjäger during World War II. He was also a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves...
, 8 March 1945 – 8 April 1945 - Oberst Hummel, 8 April 1945 – 16 April 1945
Organization in June 1944
Commander: General Major Schimpf- 5th Parachute Regiment
- 8th Parachute Regiment
- 9th Parachute Regiment
- 3rd Parachute Mortar Battalion
- 3rd Parachute Anti-Tank Battalion
- 3rd Parachute Artillery Battalion
- 3rd Parachute Engineer Battalion
- 3rd Parachute Signal Division