6. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division - Parachute Division

Kommandeure:

• GenLt. Rüdiger von Heyking. 1 May 1944 - 3 Sep 1944
• Obstlt Harry Herrmann, 3 Sep 1944 - 1 Oct 1944
• GenLt. Hermann Plocher, 1 Oct 1944 - 8 May 1945

Heyking became POW on 4 Sep 1944. According to some US sources, Oberst Rudolf Langhäuser (Heer), was acting commander from time to time.

Ia:

• Maj Frhr. von Quadt-Wykradt-Höchtenbruck (Heer), Jun 1944 - Sep 1944
• Maj Dieter Rohlack, 1 Oct 1944 - 31 Dec 1944
• Obstlt Aberger(?), 1945

Formed Jun 1944 in Amiens (AOK.15), with the following units:

• Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 16
• Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 17
• Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 18
• Fallschirm-Panzer-Jäger-Abteilung 6
• Fallschirm-Granatwerfer-Abteilung 6
• Fallschirm-Artillerie-Regiment 6
• Fallschirm-Flak-Abteilung 6
• Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 6
• Fallschirm-Luftnachrichten-Abteilung 6
• Fallschirm-Sanitäts-Abteilung 6
• Nachschubführer der 6. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division
• Fallschirm-Feldersatz-Bataillon 6, from Nov 1944

While the division was forming, FJR.16 was flown to Stendal and later to Vilna for action in Lithuania, and would be renamed Fallschirm-Grenadier-Regiment 3, belonging to Fallschirm-Panzer-Korps Hermann Göring. The remainder of the division (battlegroup strength only) went into action immediately in Normandy, and was mostly destroyed. The remaining small groups was to have been incorporated into the new parachute ad-hoc unit, Division Erdmann, but could not be pulled out of the frontline in time.

The division was ordered reformed on 15 Oct 1944 in Meppel, Holland. The division was formed from the few remaining remnants of the old division, and from Luftwaffe-Festungs-Battailone II,XXIX,XXXI,XXXVIII, XXIX and XXXX.

The division surrendered to the British in May 1945, at Zutphen in Festung Holland.

The division served under the following headquarters during the war:

Jul 1944	AOK.15	forming in Amiens
Aug 1944	I. SS AK / Pz.AOK.5	Northern France
Sep 1944	LXXXVIII.AK / Fs.AOK.1	Arnhem, Kleve, Kalkar, Marienbaum and Xanten
Oct 1944 - Nov 1944	Heeresgruppe B	forming in Meppel
Dec 1944	LXXXVIII.AK / AOK.15	Arnhem
Jan 1945	LXXXVIII.AK / AOK.25	Arnhem, Wesel
Feb 1945 - Mar 1945	XXXXVII.AK / Fs.AOK.1	Kleve, Wesel
Apr 1945	LXXXVIII.AK / AOK.25	Festung Holland (Zutphen)

Replacement troops were provided by the Fallschirm-Ersatz-Bataillon 3 in Nürnberg-Buchenbühl.