2. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division - Parachute Division

Kommandeure:

• GenLt Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, 13 Feb 1943 - 8 Sep 1943
• Obstlt Meder-Eggebert (acting), 8 Sep 1943 - 9 Sep 1943
• GenMaj Walter Barenthin, 13 Sep 1943 - 14 Nov 1943
• GenLt Gustav Wilke, 14 Nov 1943 - 17 Mar 1944
• GenMaj Hans Kroh, 17 Mar 1944 - 1 Jun 1944
• Gen.d.FsTr. Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke, 1 Jun 1944 - 11 Aug 1944
• GenMaj Hans Kroh, 11 Aug 1944 - 18 Sep 1944
• GenLt Walter Lackner, 15 Nov 1944 - Apr 1945

Ia:

• Maj Dr. Friedrich August Frhr. von der Heydte, 1 Feb 1943 - 12 Sep 1943
• Maj Otto Jacob Mors, Sep 1943 - Jan 1944
• Maj Hellmut Kerutt, 17 Mar 1944 - 1 Jun 1944
• Maj Herbert Schmidt, 1 Jun 1944 - 16 Jun 1944
• Maj Fischer-See, 16 Jun 1944 - Jul 1944
• Maj Herder, Jul 1944 - Sep 1944
• Maj Diedrich Schröder, Nov 1944 - 16 Apr 1945
• Hptm Röhrig, 20 Apr 1945 - 8 May 1945

Ramcke was wounded in September 1943. When the division returned to Germany from Russia, the division was again taken over by Ramcke. On 11 Aug 1944 Ramcke became Kommandant der Festung Brest, and Kroh again took command of the division. Both became POW when Brest fell in September 1944. Lackner took command of the new division.

Formed Feb 1943 in Western France (Vannes/Bretagne area) under the 7th Army. The division was formed from Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 2 and the II./Fallschirm-Artillerie-Regiment 1. The two new regiments, FJR 6 and FJR 7, were formed from various other units: Luftwaffen-Feld-Bataillon 100, IV./Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1 and Lehr-Bataillon/XI. Fliegerkorps. The division initially consisted of the following units:

• Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 2
• Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 6
• Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 7
• Fallschirm-Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 2
• Fallschirm-Artillerie-Regiment 2
• Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 2
• Luftnachrichten-Abteilung der Fallschirm-Jäger-Division 2

In late May 1943 the division moved to Ales and Nimes, and became subordinated to XI. Fliegerkorps/Heeresgruppe D as a strategic reserve, together with the 1. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division. A month later the division was ordered to Italy, and took up station guarding the coast between the Tiber estuary and Tarquinia, now directly under Oberbefehlshaber Süd. On 9 Sep 1943 the unit moved into Rome, to disarm 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 remained stationed near Rome, but part of the division participated in two major actions: 17 Sep 1943 II./FJR 7 at Elba and 12 Nov 1943 I./FJR.2 at Leros. The rest of the division remained in reserve, subordinated directly to OB Süd. During its stay in Italy, two more formations were formed within the division:

• Fallschirm-MG-Bataillon 2
• Fallschirm-Flak-Abteilung 2

In late November 1943 the division transferred to Shitomir in Russia, now under XXXXII. AK / Pz.AOK 4. Part of the division remained 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 two regiments. During the next few months the division saw action in Russia under the following headquarters:

Jan 1944	LII. AK / AOK.6	Kirovograd, Krivoj Rog, Uman, Novgorodka, Kiev
Feb 1944 - Mar 1944	LII. AK / AOK.6	Korsun and Kishinev
Apr 1944	XVII. AK / AOK.6	Kishinev

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 on the move again, this time to Normandy, now under XXV. AK / AOK.7 (Div. HQ: Concarneau). There it was joined by the new FJR 6, however this was to be shortlived, on D-Day the regiment again became independent. The division saw only little combat in June 1944, and in July was in reserve, under AOK.7, in the Quimper - Landerneau area. In August and September the division participated in the defence of Brest (XXV.AK, directly under Heeresgruppe D). When Brest fell on 19 Sep 1944, the division surrendered (except FJR 6 and I./FJR.2, which escaped encirclement at Brest).

The order for reactivation was issued on 24 Sep 1944 (to be completed 1 Nov 1944), and all remnants of the old division were united in Amersfoort, Holland. The new division was combat ready in early December 1944, with three new regiments: FJR.2,FJR 7 and FJR.23. The new troops were provided from Oldenburg, Halle and the Berlin area. The Division went into combat in January 1945:

Jan 1945 - Mar 1945	LXXXVIII. AK / AOK.25	Arnheim, Reichswald, Kleve, Goch, Wesel*
Apr 1945	LXIII. AK / AOK. Lüttwitz	Wesel**

* On 22 Mar 1945 the remnants was to have been incorporated into the 9. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division - but this was cancelled
** Apr 1945, destroyed in Ruhr pocket.

Replacement troops were provided by the Fallschirm-Ersatz-Bataillon 2 in Stendal.