4th Parachute Division (Germany)

German 4th Parachute Division
Active 1943–45
Country  Germany
Allegiance Wehrmacht
Branch Luftwaffe
Type Fallschirmjäger
Role Airborne forces
Size Division
Part of I Parachute Corps
Engagements World War II
Battle of Anzio
Decorations Referenced in the Wehrmachtbericht
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Heinrich Trettner

The 4th Parachute Division, (or in German 4 Fallschirmjäger Division), was a divisional-sized formation in the Luftwaffe during World War II. It was formed in Venice, Italy, in November 1943, from elements of 2 Fallschirmjäger Division and volunteers from the Italian 184 and 185 Airborne Division Folgore parachute divisions.[1]

Its first combat action was against the Allied landings at Anzio (Operation Shingle) as part of the I. Fallschirm Korps in January 1944.[1]

After Anzio, the Division fought a rear guard action in front of Rome, and was the last German unit to leave the city on 4 June; it withdrew towards Viterbo Siena Firenze and then managed to halt the Allies at the Futa pass.[2]
In the Winter of 1944/1945 it was positioned on the Gothic Line. In March 1945, the Division had to send the II Battalion, 12 Fallschirmjäger Regiment and the 2nd Company from the Pionier Battalion to the new 10 Fallschirmjager Division, which was being formed in Austria.[2]

It then fought at Nettuno, Florence, Rimini and Bologna and surrendered to the Allies in April 1945.[3]

Fallschirmjäger in Italy, January 1944

Commander

Order of battle

Wehrmachtbericht reference

Date Original German Wehrmachtbericht wording Direct English translation
2 June 1944 In diesem Frontabschnitt haben sich die 65. Infanteriedivison unter Generalleutnant Pfeiffer, die durch Teile der 4. Fallschirmjägerdivision verstärkte 3. Panzergrenadierdivision unter Generalmajor Hecker und eine aus Einheiten des Heeres und der Fallschirmtruppe zusammengestellte Kampfgruppe unter Generalleutnant Greiner, hervorragend unterstützt durch Artillerie und durch Flakartillerie der Luftwaffe, besonders ausgezeichnet. [4] In this section of the front have the 65th Infantry Division under Lieutenant General Pfeiffer, augmented by parts of the 4th Airborne Division which reinforced the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Division under Major General Hecker and units from the Army and the parachute troops assembled combat group under Lieutenant General Greiner, well supported by artillery and anti-aircraft artillery of the Luftwaffe, particularly distinguished themselves.

References

Citations
  1. 1 2 3 "axis.history". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  2. 1 2 Quarrie, p 46
  3. ↑ Windrow, p 17
  4. ↑ Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, p. 116.
Bibliography
  • Quarrie Bruce, German Airborne Divisions: Mediterranean Theatre 1942-45, Osprey Publishing, 2005, ISBN 1-84176-828-6
  • Windrow Martin, Luftwaffe Airborne and Field Units, Osprey Publishing, 1972, ISBN 0-85045-114-0
  • Die Wehrmachtberichte 1939–1945 Band 3, 1. Januar 1944 bis 9. Mai 1945 (in German). München: Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, 1985. ISBN 3-423-05944-3.
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