7th Parachute Division (Germany)

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7th Parachute Division
German: 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Unit insignia
Active1944–45
Disbanded1945
Country Germany
BranchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
TypeFallschirmjäger
RoleAirborne forces
SizeDivision
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Wolfgang Erdmann

The 7th Parachute Division (German: 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division) was a fallschirmjäger (airborne) division of the German military during the Second World War, active from 1944 to 1945.

The division was first formed as Fallschirmjäger-Division Erdmann in early September, 1944 from a collection of training units and remnants of other formations, and named after its commander Wolfgang Erdmann. [1][2] It fought in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands during Operation Market-Garden in September,[3][4][5] and on October 29th was redesignated as the 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division.[6] It contained the 19th, 20th and 21st Fallschirmjäger Regiments and other divisional support units. [7][8]

The division fought on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, surrendering at Oldenburg with the end of hostilities.[9][10]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Kershaw, p 23
  2. ^ Mitcham, p 294
  3. ^ Axis History Factbook (Erdmann)
  4. ^ Kershaw
  5. ^ Mitcham, p 294
  6. ^ Mitcham, p 294
  7. ^ Axis History Factbook (7. Division)
  8. ^ Mitcham, pp 293-294
  9. ^ Axis History Factbook
  10. ^ Mitcham, p 294

References[edit]

  • "7. Fallschirmjäger-Division". Axis History Factbook. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  • "Fallschirmjäger-Division Erdmann". Axis History Factbook. 3 May 2008. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  • "7. Fallschirmjäger-Division". Lexikon der Wehrmacht. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  • Kershaw, Robert (2005). It Never Snows In September: The German View of MARKET-GARDEN and The Battle of Arnhem, September, 1944. Ian Allen Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-3062-6.
  • Mitcham, Jr, Samuel (2007). German Order of Battle Volume Two: 291st-999th Infantry Divisions, Named Infantry Divisions, and Special Divisions in WWII. Stackpole Books. pp. 293–294. ISBN 0-8117-3437-4.