The German 1st Parachute Division was a German military parachute-landing Division that fought during World War II. A division of paratroopers was termed a Fallschirmjäger Division. It was originally raised as the 7th Flieger, or Air Division, before being renamed and reorganized as the 1st Fallschirmjäger Division in 1943. Symbol of the Polish 1st Legions Infantry Division in NATO code A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of around ten to twenty thousand soldiers. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... An American Paratrooper using a MC1-B series parachute Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force. ... Fallschirmjäger Fallschirmjäger photo taken from The Hague, Bezuidenhout during the invasion of the Low Countries, morning of May 10, 1940   (often rendered Fallschirmjager in English; from German Fallschirm parachute and Jäger, a term for light infantry; literally hunter; ranger) are German paratroopers. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

History

In October 1938, the decision was made to raise the 7th Flieger (Air) Division. This was to be an élite paratroop formation intended for vertical envelopment operations against enemy defenses. The commander chosen to lead the 7th Flieger Division was Major-General Kurt Student. Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... In military science, defense (or defence) is the art of preventing an enemy from conquering territory. ... Kurt Student Kurt Student (May 12, 1890-July 1, 1978) was a German Luftwaffe General who fought as a pilot on the Eastern Front during the First World War and as the commander of the German parachute troops during the Second World War. ...

Organizationally, a Fallschirmjäger Division was intended to be organized along the lines of a German Infantry Division, with three parachute rifle regiments, an artillery regiment, and divisional support units. However the Division was not brought up to full strength before 1941. Nevertheless, elements of the Division played significant roles during the Wehrmacht operations in 1940. At the start of the World War II, the Division consisted of the 1st and 2nd Parachute Regiments. Fallschirmjäger Fallschirmjäger photo taken from The Hague, Bezuidenhout during the invasion of the Low Countries, morning of May 10, 1940   (often rendered Fallschirmjager in English; from German Fallschirm parachute and Jäger, a term for light infantry; literally hunter; ranger) are German paratroopers. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Wehrmacht   (armed forces, literally defence force(s)) was the name of the armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

The 7th Air Division performed its first war-time parachute drops in September 1939, when two battalions were air-dropped to capture Polish airfields. The goal of the mission was to prevent senior officers of the Polish army from escaping the country before they could be captured. One of the battalions saw its first combat during this operation. Year 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In April 1940 the 1st battalion of the 1st Regiment was used to capture key airfields in Denmark and Norway during Operation Weserübung. These missions were successful, and the airfields proved key staging bases for the Luftwaffe to transport troops to Norway as well as fighter aircraft operating out of Denmark. A later, company-sized airdrop operation at Dombås proved a failure, however, as the unit quickly ran out of supplies and was taken prisoner by the Norwegian army. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Combatants Germany Denmark Norway Operation Weserübung was the German codename for Nazi Germanys assault on Denmark and Norway during World War II and the opening operation of the Norwegian Campaign. ... The Deutsche Luftwaffe or   (German: air force, literally Air Weapon IPA: ) is the commonly used term for the German air force. ... Look up aircraft in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A C-130 Hercules airdropping a light tank. ... The village of DombÃ¥s lies in the Dovre municipality and serves as an administrative center in the upper Gudbrandsdal, Norway. ... Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Norwegian Army (Norwegian: Hæren) is Norways military land force. ...

By May 14, the 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment was concentrated and parachute dropped at Narvik, Norway to reinforce the German mountain troops in the battle for that key port. The Norwegian campaign came to an end on June 10, active fighting ceasing on June 9. May 14 is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... County Nordland District Ofoten Municipality NO-1805 Administrative centre Narvik Mayor (2004) Olav Sigurd Alstad (Ap) Official language form BokmÃ¥l Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 29 2,023 km² 1,905 km² 0. ... German battle cruisers in a Norwegian port in June 1940 The Norwegian Campaign, lasting from 9 April to 10 June 1940, led to the first direct land confrontation between the military forces of the Allies — United Kingdom and France — against Nazi Germany in World War II. The primary reason for... June 10 is the 161st day of the year (162nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Paratroopers of the 7th Air Division landing near Rotterdam, May 10, 1940

For Operation Gelb, the German plan for the invasion of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands in May 1940 called for the use of the 7th Air division to aid in the advance through the capture of key bridges and the fortress of Eben Emael. For the Belgian operations, an assault battalion was formed. The four companies of this battalion were assigned the following objectives: Image File history File links From the German Historic Museum, item F60/2422. ... Image File history File links From the German Historic Museum, item F60/2422. ... Nickname: Motto: Sterker door strijd (Stronger through Struggle) Location of Rotterdam Coordinates: , Country Netherlands Province South Holland Government  - Mayor Ivo Opstelten  - Aldermen Jeannette Baljeu Hamit Karakus Orhan Kaya Lucas Bolsius Jantine Kriens Dominic Schrijer Roelf de Boer Leonard Geluk Area [1]  - City 319 km²  (123. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Combatants  France  United Kingdom  Canada  Czechoslovakia  Poland  Belgium  Netherlands  Luxembourg Germany Italy Commanders Maurice Gamelin, Maxime Weygand (French) Lord Gort (British Expeditionary Force) Leopold III (Belgian) H.G. Winkelman (Dutch) Gerd von Rundstedt (Army Group A) Fedor von Bock (Army Group B) Wilhelm von Leeb (Army Group C) H.R... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

• Capture the bridge at Schachter.
• Capture the bridge at Veldwezelt.
• Capture the bridge at Vroenhoeven.
• Take the fortress at Eben Emael.

Of these, three of the missions were entirely successful; the exception being the bridge at Schachter, which was blown up by the Belgian defenders. ...

The attack upon the Netherlands included the majority of the 7th Flieger Division in cooperation with 22nd Luftlande-Infanterie Division. The primary goal of the air landings was to capture the Dutch seat of residence, The Hague; a secondary goal was to secure critical bridges in order to allow a German mechanised advance through the fortified positions of the Dutch defenses. These bridges were those at Dordrecht, Moerdijk, and the Nieuwe Maas. The parachute drops were also used to capture the Waalhoven airfield near Rotterdam, where additional forces would be air-landed. Combatants Kingdom of the Netherlands Germany Commanders Henry G. Winkelman, Jan Joseph Godfried baron van Voorst tot Voorst Fedor von Bock (Army Group B) Strength 9 divisions, 676 guns, 1 tank (inoperational), 124 aircraft Total: 350,000 men 22 divisions, 1,378 guns, 759 tanks, 1150 aircraft Total: 750,000... 22nd Infantry Division 22nd Air Landing Division 22nd Volksgrenadier Division Created as 22nd Infantry Division in 1935. ... Coordinates: , Country Netherlands Province South Holland Area (2006)  - Municipality 98. ... Satellite image of part of the Rhine-Meuse delta, showing the Island of Dordrecht and the eponymous city (7) Dordrecht (population 119,649 (2004)), or in English: Dort, is a city in the Dutch province of South Holland, the third largest city of the province. ... Moerdijk is a municipality and a town in the southern Netherlands, in the province of North Brabant. ... Satellite image of the northwest part of the Rhine-Meuse delta showing river Nieuwe Maas (n). ... Nickname: Motto: Sterker door strijd (Stronger through Struggle) Location of Rotterdam Coordinates: , Country Netherlands Province South Holland Government  - Mayor Ivo Opstelten  - Aldermen Jeannette Baljeu Hamit Karakus Orhan Kaya Lucas Bolsius Jantine Kriens Dominic Schrijer Roelf de Boer Leonard Geluk Area [1]  - City 319 km²  (123. ...

Initially the attacks were successful, but hard fought and some units took heavy casualties. The attack on The Hague was a failure: many paratroopers were captured and 1200 prisoners of both divisions were transported to England. All bridges were successfully held against Dutch counterattacks however. The air landings occupied Dutch troops at a time when they were needed to slow the German land advance. Shortly after the surrender of Rotterdam, General Student became wounded by friendly fire, being accidentally shot in the head by soldiers of Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler. While he recovered, the command of the division was temporarily assumed by General Putzier. The Dutch surrendered on May 14 after Rotterdam was heavily bombed. Kurt Student Kurt Student (May 12, 1890-July 1, 1978) was a German Luftwaffe General who fought as a pilot on the Eastern Front during the First World War and as the commander of the German parachute troops during the Second World War. ... The Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler started life in the early days of the NSDAP as Adolf Hitlers personal elite bodyguard. ... May 14 is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Motto: Sterker door strijd (Stronger through Struggle) Location of Rotterdam Coordinates: , Country Netherlands Province South Holland Government  - Mayor Ivo Opstelten  - Aldermen Jeannette Baljeu Hamit Karakus Orhan Kaya Lucas Bolsius Jantine Kriens Dominic Schrijer Roelf de Boer Leonard Geluk Area [1]  - City 319 km²  (123. ...

The invasion of France proceeded without further operations by the Division. With the signature of the armistice on June 22, the German victory over the French army was complete. is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The summer months would be used in preparation for Operation Seelöwe, the planned invasion of England. Airborne troops were to play a significant role during the initial landings, as they were assigned the task of capturing Lympne airfield on Romney Marsh. However the 7th Air Division and the German 22nd Air Landing Division had taken losses during the preceding campaign, and were now understrength. The invasion plans were shelved on October 12, and the Division had time to train new recruits. Operation Sealion (Unternehmen (Undertaking) Seelöwe in German) was a World War II German plan to invade the United Kingdom. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Unified  -  by Athelstan 927 AD  Area  -  Total... The Romney Marsh is a sparsely-populated wetland area in the counties of Kent and East Sussex in the south-east of England. ... 22nd Infantry Division 22nd Air Landing Division 22nd Volksgrenadier Division Created as 22nd Infantry Division in 1935. ... is the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

At the start of 1941, the OKW decided to create the German XI Air Corps, which would include the 7th Air Division. This Corps would be under the command of General Student, and General Süssmann would become the new commander of the 7th Air Division. For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Oberkommando der Wehrmacht OKW most notably stands for Oberkommando der Wehrmacht - the high Command of the Third Reich armed forces. ... Kurt Student Kurt Student (May 12, 1890-July 1, 1978) was a German Luftwaffe General who fought as a pilot on the Eastern Front during the First World War and as the commander of the German parachute troops during the Second World War. ...

In April of 1941, the German army invaded Yugoslavia and Greece. The German army advanced rapidly, and had reached Thebes Greece by April 26. That same night, the Division's 2nd Regiment was dropped at Corinth with the objective of capturing the bridge across the canal that cuts the Isthmus of Corinth. Initially the attack by the lead elements succeeded, but the British counter-attacked and in the process the bridge was destroyed. Nevertheless the force held a bridgehead across the Isthmus, and the Germans proceeded to capture the Peloponnesos. For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Yugoslavia (Jugoslavija in the Latin alphabet, Југославија in Cyrillic; English: Land of the South Slavs) describes three political entities that existed one at a time on the Balkan Peninsula in Europe, during most of the 20th century. ... Thebes (in Demotic Greek: Θήβα — Thíva, Katharevousa: — ThÄ“bai or Thíve) is a city in Greece, situated to the north of the Cithaeron range, which divides Boeotia from Attica, and on the southern edge of the Boeotian plain. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Corinth, or Korinth (Greek: Κόρινθος, Kórinthos; see also List of traditional Greek place names) is a Greek city-state, on the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow stretch of land that joins the Peloponnesus to the mainland of Greece. ... The Corinth Canal The Corinth Canal is a canal connecting the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf in the Aegean Sea. ... The Isthmus of Corinth is the narrow landbridge which connects the Peloponnesos peninsula with the mainland of Greece, near the city of Corinth. ... A bridgehead is literally a military fortification that protects the end of a bridge that is closest to the enemy. ... Peloponnesos (Greek: Πελοπόννησος, Pelops Island, sometime Latinized as Peloponnesus or Anglicized as The Peloponnese) is a large peninsula in Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Isthmus of Corinth. ...

Paratroopers on Crete, May 1941

With the surviving Allied forces withdrawn to Crete, the Germans decided upon an air-landing operation to capture the island. Operation Merkur (Mercury) would use the 7th Air Division to capture airfields on Crete, then German mountain troops from 5. Gebirgs-Division would be flown in as reinforcements. The 7th Air Division began parachuting onto the island on May 20, landing as follows: From the German Historic Museum, item F 60/2017. ... From the German Historic Museum, item F 60/2017. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... In general, allies are people or groups that have joined an alliance and are working together to achieve some common purpose. ... For the famous World War II battle, see: Battle of Crete For other uses, see Crete (disambiguation). ... Combatants Greece United Kingdom New Zealand Australia Germany Italy Commanders Bernard Freyberg Kurt Student Strength United Kingdom: 15,000 Greece: 11,000 Australia: 7,100 New Zealand: 6,700 Total: 40,000 (10,000 without fighting capability. ... May 20 is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Maleme - Luftlande-Sturmregiment (Generalmajor Eugen Meindl); 3. Kompanie (Oberleutnant Wolf von Plessen), 4. Kompanie (Hauptmann Kurt Sarrazin)/ I. Battalion HQ(Major Walter Koch), and a regimental HQ force of the Luftlande-Sturmregiment under Major Franz Braun. All of these forces landed by glider, with Von Plessen and Braun's detachments successfully landing in the river bed, securing the Tavronitis Bridge, destroying nearby anti-aircraft batteries and gaining a foothold in the RAF camp at Maleme airfield, although both commanders were killed. Koch and Sarrazin's detachments came down on the southern slope of Hill 107, directly onto the positions of A & B comapnies, 22nd New Zealand Infantry Battalion. They suffered heavy casualties with Sarrazin killed and Koch wounded in the head, whilst the survivors were scattered across the hillside.

The rest of the forces dropped at Maleme were all part of the Luftlande-Sturmregiment and jumped from Ju-52 transport aircraft. These forces consisted of:

• II. Battalion/ LLSR (Major Edgar Stentzler); This battalion landed unscathed around Rapaniana, with one platoon under Leutnant Peter Mürbe being dropped further west to secure an unfinished airfield near Kastelli.

Meindl later sent 5. (Oberleutnant Herterich)& 7. Kompanie (Hauptmann Barmetler) to attack Hill 107 in a flanking maneuvre from the south.

• III. Battalion/ LLSR (Major Otto Scherber); The 3rd battalion dropped in the area east of Maleme airfield, right on top of the New Zealand defensive positions south of the coastal road.

The battalion suffered high casualties with many Fallschirmjäger being killed as they came down and struggled out of their harnesses, or whilst searching for weapons containers. Nevertheless, small groups of survivors went into action and carried out hit-and-run attacks on enemy positions or held their ground against local counterattacks.

• IV. Battalion/ LLSR (Hauptmann Walther Gericke); 4th battalion landed in good order west of the Tavronitis river together with II. Battalion. Only the 16. Kompanie (Oberleutnant Höfeld) landed elsewhere, namely south of the main force near Polemarhi, to act as a flank guard.

• Canea and Suda Bay - 3rd Regiment
• Retymnom - 1st and 3rd battalions of 2nd Regiment
• Herakleion - 1st Regiment; 2nd battalion of 2nd Regiment

During the approach, General Süssmann was killed and General Sturm assumed command. The Allied forces on the island put up a stubborn defense and the troops of the 7th Air Division took heavy losses, with over 6,700 killed and wounded out of 22,000 men. With the aid of the follow-on reinforcements, however, the Allies were forced to evacuate the island by April 29. is the 119th day of the year (120th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

In August 1941 the 7th Air returned to Germany. The invasion of the Soviet Union was now underway, but the Division would play no role during the first summer. The losses suffered in the Crete landings were made good with newly trained recruits, and by September 1941 the Division was back up to strength. On September 24 the Division received orders to move to the Leningrad front in Russia. For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... Combatants Germany, Romania, Finland, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia  Soviet Union Commanders Adolf Hitler Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb Fedor von Bock Gerd von Rundstedt C.G.E. Mannerheim Giovanni Messe, CSIR Italo Gariboldi, ARMIR Joseph Stalin Kliment Voroshilov Semyon Timoshenko Fyodor Kuznetsov Dmitry Pavlov Ivan Tyulenev Ivan Konev Semyon Budyonny Georgy Zhukov... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... September 24 is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Germany Spanish Blue Division Soviet Union Commanders Wilhelm von Leeb Georg von Küchler Agustín Muñoz Grandes Kliment Voroshilov Georgiy Zhukov Strength 725,000 930,000 Casualties Unknown Red Army: 332,059 KIA 24,324 non-combat dead 111,142 missing 16,470 civilians 1 million civilians...

As in past campaigns, the élite 7th Air Division was again frequently to be used in Company and Battalion-strength units, patching up battle lines whenever the German defenders started to waver against Soviet attacks. This experience led the Paratroopers to name themselves "The Führer's Firemen". Soviet redirects here. ...

Beginning September 29, the 1st and 3rd Regiments of the 7th Air Division joined the defense of the salient along the Neva River. The battle continued into the first Russian Winter, with units taking heavy losses during the conflict. Finally in mid-December the Division was relieved and returned to Germany. is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... In military terms, a salient is a battlefield feature that projects into enemy territory. ... River Neva (Нева́) is a 74 km long Russian river flowing from the Lake Ladoga (Ладожское Озеро - Ladozhskoye Ozero) through the Carelian Isthmus (Карельский &#1055...

Meanwhile in November the 2nd Regiment was deployed to the southern sector to participate in the defense against the Russian winter offensive. They remained on the front throughout the winter, suffering more from the difficult climatic conditions than from enemy actions. By March 1942 the 2nd Regiment was posted to the Volkhov front, to the southeast of Leningrad, defending against the fierce and continuing Russian attacks. Offensive may relate to In sports or combat, the team which is attacking, pitching or moving forwards In language or morals, terms and concepts which are unacceptable to some people, such as swearing and profanity. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and...

When the 2nd Regiment was returned to Germany in June, 1942, it was detached from the 7th Air Division and would form the nucleus of the German 2nd Parachute Division. 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... The German 2nd Parachute Division is a German military parachute-landing Division that fought during World War II. In German, a division of paratroopers was termed a Fallschirmjäger Division. ...

The 7th Air Division was now recovering in Normandy, France. To replace the 2nd Regiment, the 4th Parachute Regiment was raised and merged into the Division. Later in the year, plans were made to use the Division in the German summer offensive in Russia. However the operation was cancelled, and the Division was deployed in the Rzhev sector near Smolensk in October. Flag of Normandy Normandy (in French: Normandie, and in Norman: Normaundie) is a geographical region in northern France. ... Combatants Germany Romania Italy Hungary Soviet Union Commanders Adolf Hitler Friedrich Paulus # Erich von Manstein Hermann Hoth Petre Dumitrescu Constantin Constantinescu Italo Garibaldi Gusztav Jany Vasiliy Chuikov Aleksandr Vasilyevskiy Georgiy Zhukov Semyon Timoshenko Konstantin Rokossovskiy Rodion Malinovskiy Andrei Yeremenko Strength Army Group B: German Sixth Army German Fourth Panzer Army... A view of Smolensk in 1912. ...

Much of the winter months were spent patrolling and performing limited attacks along the front. The battle of Stalingrad was underway, and Soviet attentions were focused on the southern part of the front. This situation changed in March 1943 when the Soviet army assaulted the Divisional front. This attack was beaten back with heavy Russian losses. Combatants Germany Romania Italy Hungary Soviet Union Commanders Adolf Hitler Friedrich Paulus # Erich von Manstein Hermann Hoth Petre Dumitrescu Constantin Constantinescu Italo Garibaldi Gusztav Jany Vasiliy Chuikov Aleksandr Vasilyevskiy Georgiy Zhukov Semyon Timoshenko Konstantin Rokossovskiy Rodion Malinovskiy Andrei Yeremenko Strength Army Group B: German Sixth Army German Fourth Panzer Army... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

By May the Division had returned to Germany, after being used to form the 1st Fallschirmjäger, or Parachute Division. The formation was then moved to Avignon, France for rest and refitting. Their brief respite came to an end in July, however, when the Allied forces landed in Sicily on July 10. City flag City coat of arms Location Coordinates Time Zone CET (GMT +1) Administration Country France Région Provence-Alpes-Côte dAzur Département Vaucluse (préfecture) Arrondissement Avignon Canton Chief town of 4 cantons Intercommunality Communauté dagglomération du Grand Avignon Mayor Marie-Josée Roig... Husky was also the codename of Australian military support to Sierra Leone ending in February 2003. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Most of the Division was moved to Catania airfield starting July 12 to participate in the defense of the island. Again the division was used in fire-brigade fashion, stiffening the defenses wherever they started to waiver. As the decision was made to withdraw, the 1st Parachute Division was employed as the rearguard defenses as the evacuation proceeded. They were the last German unit to leave the island on August 17. The Roman Odeon. ... is the 193rd day of the year (194th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

For the remainder of the war the Division would fight during the Italian Campaign. They were employed piecemeal to ward against the possibility of sea-landings from Salerno to Taranto, and fought another withdrawing action up the Adriatic coast of Italy against the advancing Allies. By Winter the Division was concentrated in the defense of the Gustav Line south of Rome, defending against the advance of the British Eighth Army under General Montgomery. Artillery being landed during the invasion of mainland Italy at Salerno, September 1943. ... Salerno is a town in Campania, south-western Italy, the capital of the province of the same name. ... Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, southern Italy. ... The Adriatic Sea is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea separating the Apennine peninsula (Italy) from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges. ... The Winter Line was a series of German military fortifications in Italy, constructed during World War II by Organisation Todt. ... Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5... The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations in World War II, fighting in the campaigns in North Africa and Italy. ... Bernard Law Montgomery Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein (November 17, 1887 - March 24, 1976) was a British military officer during World War II often referred to as Monty. ...

On January 1944, the US IV Corps made an amphibious landing at Anzio, about 50 kilometers south of Rome. Unfortunately for the Allies the landing quickly bogged down and failed to advance. To support the landing, the Allied armies in the south needed to break through the German defenses of the Gustav Line. 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... For the VI Corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War, see VI Corps (ACW) The VI Corps took part in some of the most high profile operations in World War II. Its first combat was during the Allied invasion of Italy when it landed at Salerno with... Combatants United States, United Kingdom Germany Commanders Harold Alexander Mark W. Clark John P. Lucas Lucian Truscott Albert Kesselring Eberhard von Mackensen Strength 22 Jan 1944: 36,000 soldiers and 2,300 vehicles End May:150,000 soldiers and 1,500 guns 22 Jan 1944: 20,000 soldiers End May... A kilometre (American spelling: kilometer) (symbol: km) is a unit of length equal to 1000 metres (from the Greek words khilia = thousand and metro = count/measure). ... Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5...

In February 1944, the 1st Parachute Division was pulled out of the line and shifted to the defense of Monte Cassino. This dominant position laid astride the road to Rome, and must be taken by the Allies if they were to advance. The Division put up a ferocious defense of the site, which even carpet bombing of the Monte Cassino Abbey on March 15 failed to dislodge. The battle was finally broken off on March 22. 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... The restored Abbey. ... Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5... Combatants United Kingdom United States Poland New Zealand Canada Free France India and others Germany Commanders Harold Alexander Mark Clark Oliver Leese Albert Kesselring Heinrich von Vietinghoff Frido von Senger Strength 105,000 80,000 Casualties 54,000 20,000 The Battle of Monte Cassino (also known as the Battle... The phrase carpet bombing refers to the use of large numbers of unguided gravity bombs, often with a high proportion of incendiary bombs, to attempt the complete destruction of a target region, either to destroy personnel and materiel, or as a means to demoralize the enemy (see terror bombing). ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... March 22 is the 81st day of the year (82nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

"No other troops in the world but German paratroops could have stood up to such an ordeal and then gone on fighting with such ferocity" — Field Marshal Alexander.

During the fight the Division took many losses, including the 3rd battalion of 1st Regiment. However the Allies would not resume their attack until May 11, and the Division had time to make good its losses. Field Marshal Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis (December 10, 1891 - June 16, 1969) was a British military commander and Field Marshal, notably during World War II as the commander of the 15th Army Group. ... is the 131st day of the year (132nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

When the attack resumed with the third battle of Cassino, the German defenses held out until May 17 before the line became flanked along the coast by superior Moroccan mountain commandos. This made the fighting for Cassino irrelevant, so the 1st Parachute Division joined a general German withdrawal to the north of Rome. On May 18, the 12th Podolski Lancers, a Polish Unit from 3rd Carpathian Infantry Division, took the monastery, which it found deserted, save for some remaining wounded soldiers. The paratroops performed delaying actions against the Allies until they reached defensive positions in the Apennine Mountains to the south of Bologna. They now formed part of the German I Parachute Corps, along with the German 4th Parachute Division. The Italian front remained static throughout the winter months, with only sporadic patrols and raiding actions. is the 137th day of the year (138th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5... May 18 is the 138th day of the year (139th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... German defensive positions in Northern Italy 1944 370th Infantry Regiment walking toward the mountains at north of Prato - April 1945 The Gothic Line, also known as Linea Gotica, formed Field Marshal Albert Kesselrings last major line of defence in the final stages of World War II along the summits... This is about the terrestrial mountain range. ... Bologna (IPA , from Latin Bononia, BulÃ¥ggna in Emiliano-Romagnolo) is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy, in the Pianura Padana, between the Po River and the Apennines, exactly between the Reno River and the Sàvena River. ...

By January 1945, the German I Parachute Corps was deployed to the Adriatic coast behind the Senio Rivier. The Allied advance resumed on April 8, and the 1st Parachute Division was forced into a steady withdrawal toward the Po River by the British Eighth Army. By April 25 the Division had completed the river crossing. They immediately set off on a final march toward the Alpine Mountains. Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... The Adriatic Sea is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea separating the Apennine peninsula (Italy) from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges. ... April 8 is the 98th day of the year (99th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Po (Latin: Padus, Italian: Po) is a river that flows 652 kilometers (405 miles) eastward across northern Italy, from Monviso (in the Cottian Alps) to the Adriatic Sea near Venice. ... The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations in World War II, fighting in the campaigns in North Africa and Italy. ... is the 115th day of the year (116th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Finally the German surrender in Italy came on May 2, 1945, and included the men of the 1st Parachute Division. The unconditional surrender of Germany followed a week later. May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... Unconditional surrender refers to a surrender without conditions, except for those provided by international law. ...

Commanders

is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1938 (MCMXXXVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Kurt Student Kurt Student (May 12, 1890-July 1, 1978) was a German Luftwaffe General who fought as a pilot on the Eastern Front during the First World War and as the commander of the German parachute troops during the Second World War. ... May 16 is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... January 21 is the 21st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... May 20 is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... June 1 is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the movie, see 1941 (film). ... is the 213th day of the year (214th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

Organization

September 1939 Year 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• 7th Air Division
  • 1st Parachute Rifle Regiment
    • 3 Battalions
  • 2nd Parachute Rifle Regiment
    • 2 battalions

May 1941 For the movie, see 1941 (film). ...

• 7th Air Division
  • 1st Parachute Rifle Regiment
  • 2nd Parachute Rifle Regiment
  • 3rd Parachute Rifle Regiment
  • 7th Artillery Battalion
  • 7th Anti-tank Battalion
  • 7th Flak Battalion
  • Machine-gun Battalion
  • Pioneer Battalion
  • Other divisional units

April 1943 Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• 1st Parachute Division
  • 1st Parachute Rifle Regiment
  • 3rd Parachute Rifle Regiment
  • 4th Parachute Rifle Regiment
  • 1st Parachute Artillery Regiment
    • 2 battalions
  • 1st Parachute Anti-Tank Battalion
  • 1st Parachute Engineer Battalion
  • 1st Parachute Machine-gun Battalion
  • Other divisional units

See also

• Airborne forces

Airborne Military parachuting form of insertion. ...

References

• Lucas, James. Storming Eagles: German Airborne Forces in World War Two. Arms and Armour Press, 1988

External links

• Fallschirmjäger - a site dedicated to this unit.
• GermanParatrooper.org