Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 3

Kommandeure:

• Oberst Richard Heidrich, 31 May 1940 - 31 Jul 1942
• Oberst Ludwig Heilmann, 1 Aug 1942 - 16 Nov 1944
• Obstlt Eberhard Schneider, 16 Nov 1944 - Apr 1945

Formed 1 Jun 1940 with 3 battalions (III. formed 1 Aug 1940, II. and III. at Braunschweig-Rautheim), from cadres of Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 1.

IV./FJR.3 was formed in the summer 1943.

I./FJR.3 was transferred to Africa Jul 1942, joining Brigade Ramcke, and was destroyed in Tunisia May 1943.

The new IV./FJR.3 was soon redesignated I./FJR.3.

In Mar 1944 III./FJR.3 was used to create the 5. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division, by becoming I./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 13.

A new III./FJR.3 was formed in May 1944.

Organisation:

• 1940: I. 1-4, II. 5-8, III. 9-12, 13, 14
• 1942: I. 1-4, II. 5-8, III. 9-12, IV. 15-18, 13, 14
• 1944: I. 1-4, II. 5-8, III. 9-12, 13, 14, 15 (Pi.)

Saw action independently under 7. Flieger-Division, but from May 43 served with the 1. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division with :

• Crete (Chania), 20.5 to 2 Jun 1941
• Russia (Leningrad, Rzhev, Orel), 1 Oct 1941 to early 1943
• Africa (Libya, Tunesia), August 1942 to May 1943 (only the I. Batallion, as part of Brigade Ramcke)