5. Fallschirmjäger Division

Image: Map of the area
Map of the area with position and frontline markings

Order of Battle - Dec. 1944

Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 13
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 14
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 15
Fallschirm-Panzerjäger-Abteilung 5
Fallschirm-Artillerie-Regiment 5
Fallschirm-Flak-Abteilung 5
Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 5
Fallschirm-Luftnachrichten-Abteilung 5
Fallschirm-Sanitäts-Bataillon 5
Fallschirm-Granatwerfer-Bataillon 5 (from 6.44.)
Fallschirm-Feldersatz-Bataillon 5 (from 11.44.)

Commander:

GenLt. Gustav Wilke, 1.4.44 - 23.9.44
GenMaj. Ludwig Heilmann, 17.11.44 - 5.3.45

Formed 2.3.44 in Reims (ordered 5.11.43). The division was formed from the Fallschirmjäger-Lehr-Bataillon, III./FJR.3 and III./FJR.4, and a large number of new recruits.

In May 1944 the division moved to Rennes (6.6.44 HQ at Rennes, reserve under AOK.7). The division was not ready for combat on D-Day, and only FJR.15 was transferred to the frontline.

As the regiment only had its II. Battalion ready, a new I./FJR.15 was formed from I./FJR.13 (ex. III./FJR.3) and a new III./FJR.15 from I./FJR.14 (ex. III./FJR.4). The FJR.15 operated together with the 17. SS Panzer-Grenadier Division. Most of the division was severly decimated in the fighting in Normandy during July 1944. The remnants fought on during August 1944. The division received new recruits in September 1944 and was partly reformed from parts of Flieger-Regimenten 22, 51 and 53. Fallschirm-Granatwerfer-Bataillon 5 and Stab, I./FAR.5 was transferred to the 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division.

In October 1944 the division was rebuilt in the Den Haag-Amsterdam area (ordered 24.9.44 to 1.11.44). A new Fallschirm-Granatwerfer-Bataillon 5 was added in November 1944, together with a new FAR.5. Luftwaffen-Festungs-Bataillon XXV was absorbed on 20.2.45, and the division was ordered to refit 15.3.45 by OB. West.

Most of the division surrendered at Nürnburgring in 3.45, while the rest surrendered in the Ruhr-pocket and at Harz. The division served under the following headquarters:
4.1944 - Heeresgruppe D - forming in Reims
5.1944 - II.FsAK / AOK.7 - forming in Reims
6.1944 - reserve / AOK.7 - Bretagne
7.1944 - LXXXXIV.AK / AOK.7 - St. Malo, Avranches, Mortain
8.1944 - II. FsAK / AOK.7 - Argentan, Alencon
9.1944 - LXXX.AK / AOK.1 - Trier
10.1944 - 12.1944 - OKW - Forming in Den Haag
12.1944 - 1.1945 - LIII.AK / AOK.7 - Battle of the Bulge (Bitburg, Donkholz, Martelange)
2.1945 - 3.1945 - LXVI.AK / Pz.AOK.5 - Eifel, Prüm
4. 1945 - Ruhr-pocket

Source: by courtesy of Michael Holm. For more information, feel free to visit the webpage of Michael Holm