6. Fallschirmjäger-Division
- Details
- Published: 18 February 2012 18 February 2012
- Last Updated: 07 April 2012 07 April 2012
The rest of the under strength unit went into action against the Allied forces in Normandy and was almost completely destroyed.
It was rebuilt in the Netherlands in October 1944 and saw action at Arnhem and the Reichswald forest; it surrendered near Zutphen at the end of the war.
Sanitäts-Feldwebel Ernst Gräwe refused an order to shoot 10 members of the Dutch resistance who had been captured after seizing a bridge in Deventer on 10 April 1945. He was then ordered to either shoot or join them in front of the firing squad. He chose to stand with the Dutch prisoners and was shot with them. His name is now included in the monument to the 10 resistance men. It is believed he was attached to this division at the time.
Commanders
Generalleutnant Rüdiger von Heyking (1 May 1944 - 3 Sep 1944)Oberst Harry Herrmann (3 Sep 1944 - 1 Oct 1944)
Generalleutnant Hermann Plocher (1 Oct 1944 - 8 May 1945)
Area of operations
France (May 1944 - Sep 1944)Netherlands (Oct 1944 - May 1945)
Order of battle
Staff- Staff
- Motorcycle Company
- 650. Military Police Troop (mot)
16. Fallschirmjäger Regiment
- Staff
- Signals Platoon
- Bicycle Reconnaissance Company
- 3 x Battalion (mot)
-- Staff Company
-- Signals Platoon
-- 3 x Company
-- Heavy Company
- Mortar Company (mot)
- Panzerjäger Company (mot)
- Pioneer Company (mot)
17. Fallschirmjäger Regiment
- Staff
- Signals Platoon
- Bicycle Reconnaissance Company
- 3 x Battalion (mot)
-- Staff Company
-- Signals Platoon
-- 3 x Company
-- Heavy Company
- Mortar Company (mot)
- Panzerjäger Company (mot)
- Pioneer Company (mot)
18. Fallschirmjäger Regiment
- Staff
- Signals Platoon
- Bicycle Reconnaissance Company
- 3 x Battalion (mot)
-- Staff Company
-- Signals Platoon
-- 3 x Company
-- Heavy Company
- Mortar Company (mot)
- Panzerjäger Company (mot)
- Pioneer Company (mot)
6. Fallschirmjäger Mortar Battalion
- Staff
- Staff Battery (mot)
- 3 x Company (mot)
6. Fallschirmjäger Panzerjäger Battalion
- Staff
- Signals Platoon
- 3 x Company (mot)
6. Fallschirmjäger Artillery Regiment
- Staff
- Staff Battery (mot)
- 3 x Battalion
-- Staff
-- Staff Battery (mot)
-- 3 x Battery
6. Fallschirmjäger Flak Battalion
- Staff
- Heavy Supply Column
- 3 x Battery (mot)
- 2 x Battery (self propelled)
6. Fallschirmjäger Pionneer Battalion
- Staff
- Signals Platoon (mot)
- 4 x Company (mot)
6. Fallschirmjäger Signals Battalion
- Signals Company (mot)
- Radio Company (mot)
- Supply Column (mot)
Supply Troops
Sources used
Chris Ellis - 7th Flieger Division: Student's Fallschirmjäger EliteJames Lucas - Storming Eagles: German Airborne forces in World War II