Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1

Kommandeure:

• Oberst Walter Koch, 2 Nov 1939 - 31 Aug 1940
• GenMaj Eugen Meindl, 1 Sep 1940 - 21 May 1941
• Oberst Bernhard Ramcke, 21 May 1941 - 18 Jun 1941
• GenMaj Eugen Meindl, 19 Jun 1941 - 26 Feb 1942

Formed 2 Nov 1939 in Hildesheim, as Versuchs-Abteilung Friedrichshafen, but soon renamed Sturm-Abteilung Koch, after its commander.

Formed from:

1. kp./FJR.1
Pionier-Zug from II./FJR.1
17./KGrzbV5

On 10 May 1940 saw action at Eben-Emael (Sturmgruppe 'Granit'), the bridges at Vroenhoven (Sturmgruppe 'Beton'), Canne (Sturmgrupp e'Eisen') and Veldwezelt (Sturmgruppe 'Stahl').

During Autumn 1940 increased to 3 battalions and was renamed Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1. The IV. battalion was formed in Winter 1940/41. The battalions never saw action together, except at Crete. On 26 Feb 1942 the Stab became Stab/Luftwaffen-Division Meindl.

The battalions saw action at:

I. Bataillon:

20 May 1941 - 2 Jun 1941: Crete/Maleme
Autumn 1941: Schaikovka
1942: Hildesheim, preparing for action at Baku
1943: In France
Aug 1943: In Rome
Jan 1944: redesignated I./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 12

II. Bataillon:

20 May 1941 - 2 Jun 1941: Crete/Maleme
Autumn 1941: Northern Russia (Schlüsselburg)
mid-42: redesignated II./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 5

III. Bataillon:

20 May 1941 - 2 Jun 1941: Crete/Maleme
Sep 1941: Petrochino
15 Jan 1942 - Mar 1942: Juchnov, Schaikovka, Schlüsselburg and Mius
mid-42: redesignated III./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 5

IV. Bataillon:

20 May 1941 - 2 Jun 1941: Crete/Maleme
Autumn 1941: Southern Russia, later North Russia (Volkhov)
Jun 1942: left Volkhov
Winter 42/43: South Russia
Feb 1943: redesignated II./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 6

Organisation:

• 1940: I. 1-3, II. 4-6, III. 7-9, 13, 14
• 1940/41: I. 1-4, II. 4-8, III. 9-12, IV. 13-16
• 1942: I. 1-4, IV. 13-16