4th Parachute Division (Germany)

German 4th Parachute Division
Divisional insignia
Active 1943–45
Country  Germany
Branch  Luftwaffe
Type Fallschirmjäger
Role Airborne forces
Size Division
Part of I Parachute Corps
Engagements Battle of Anzio
Commanders
Notable
commanders		 Heinrich Trettner

The 4th Parachute Division, (German: 4. Fallschirmjäger-Division), was a divisional-sized elite formation in the Luftwaffe during World War II.

History

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 Rimini and Bologna and surrendered to the Allies in April 1945.[3]

War crimes

The division has been implicated in Pedescala massacre (Veneto), between 30 April and 2 May 1945, when 63 civilians were executed.[4] [5]

Order of battle[6]

  • HQ Staff
    • 4. Mortar Battalion
    • 4. Panzerjäger Battalion
    • 4. Artillery Regiment
    • 4. Flak Battalion
    • 4. Pioneer Battalion
    • 4. Signals Battalion
  • 10. Fallschirmjäger Regiment
  • 11. Fallschirmjäger Regiment
  • 12. Fallschirmjäger Regiment
  • Supply Troops

Commander

References

Citations
  1. 1 2 "axis.history". Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  2. 1 2 Quarrie, p 46
  3. ↑ Windrow, p 17
  4. ↑ "Pedescala Valdastico 30.4.1945-2.5.1945" (in Italian). Atlas of Nazi and Fascist Massacres in Italy. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  5. ↑ "4. Fallschirm-Jäger-Division" (in Italian). Atlas of Nazi and Fascist Massacres in Italy. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  6. ↑ https://www.amazon.com/Flieger-Division-Students-Fallschirmjager-Spearhead/dp/0711028559
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
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