FJ Sturm Regiment and Crete Veteran query

[Bob Lyons]

Hi all

Any extra history on the following FJ, Oberjaeger who fought in Crete, and went on to also fight in Russia, and
by the looks of it, Normandy as well. (wounded 8th June 1944), anything extra greatly appreciated.

I hope he survived the war.

Thanks

Bob

[Bob Lyons]

Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1

Kommandeure:

Oberst Walter Koch, 2.11.39 - 31.8.40
GenMaj Eugen Meindl, 1.9.40 - 21.5.41
Oberst Bernhard Ramcke, 21.5.41 - 18.6.41
GenMaj Eugen Meindl, 19.6.41 - 26.2.42
Formed 2.11.39 in Hildesheim, as Versuchs-Abteilung Friedrichshafen, but soon renamed Sturm-Abteilung Koch, after its commander.

Formed from:

1. kp./FJR.1
Pionier-Zug from II./FJR.1
17./KGrzbV5

On 10.5.40 saw action at Eben-Emael (Sturmgruppe "Granit"), the bridges at Vroenhoven (Sturmgruppe "Beton"), Canne (Sturmgruppe "Eisen") and Veldwezelt (Sturmgruppe "Stahl").

During Autumn 1940 increased to 3 battalions and was renamed Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment 1. The IV. battalion was formed in Winter 1940/41. The battalions never saw action together, except at Crete. On 26.2.42 the Stab became Stab/Luftwaffen-Division Meindl.

The battalions saw action at:

I. Bataillon:

20.5.41 - 2.6.41: Crete/Maleme
Autumn 1941: Schaikovka
1942: Hildesheim, preparing for action at Baku
1943: In France
8.43: In Rome
1.44: redesignated I./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 12

II. Bataillon:

20.5.41 - 2.6.41: Crete/Maleme
Autumn 1941: Northern Russia (Schlüsselburg)
mid-42: redesignated II./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 5

III. Bataillon:

20.5.41 - 2.6.41: Crete/Maleme
9.41: Petrochino
15.1.42 - 3.42: Juchnov, Schaikovka, Schlüsselburg and Mius
mid-42: redesignated III./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 5

IV. Bataillon:

20.5.41 - 2.6.41: Crete/Maleme
Autumn 1941: Southern Russia, later North Russia (Volkhov)
6.42: left Volkhov
Winter 42/43: South Russia
2.43: redesignated II./Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 6

Organisation:

1940: I. 1-3, II. 4-6, III. 7-9, 13, 14
1940/41: I. 1-4, II. 4-8, III. 9-12, IV. 13-16
1942: I. 1-4, IV. 13-16


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© 1997-2004 Michael Holm

[Bob Lyons]

A better break down of the 15th Kompanie at the time of the Crete invasion..


4th Battalion
Kommandeur - Hauptmann Walther Gericke (Group West)
Adjutant - Oberleutnant Engelhardt
Battalion Arzt - Stabsarzt Dr.Diehm
N.-Zugführer - Oberfeldwebel Daniels
13.Kompanie - Oberleutnant Sauer (WIA)
14.Kompanie - Hauptmann Kiesel (KIA)
15.Kompanie - Oberleutnant Dobke (KIA)
16.Kompanie - Oberleutnant Hoefeld

[Bob Lyons]

From the book "Jump into Hell" by Franz Kurowski, re the death of Oblt. Dobke:-

(Taking Maleme airstrip)

Towards 1215 hours Oberleutnant Dobke of the IV./FJSR arrived at the location of the 3rd Company with 15 men as reinforcements.
He and his men took over the northern position of the western edge of the airfield, helping to firm up the German defences. It was
Dobke's intent to then advance north and silence the enemy anti-aircraft guns that were still firing there.
During that phase of the fighting when no one really knew what was going on in other battalion sectors, a message arrived at the
IV./FJSR that a Stuka attack was imminent against the enemy anit aircraft battery at the northern end of the runway.
Dr. Weitzel ordered Dobke to call of the planned attack, but the latter ignored the directive. Around 1300 hours, he went to the northern
end of the runway with a few men and eight prisoners.
Apparently, he was lured into an ambush by the prisoners, whom he had brought along as emissaries and whom he had allowed to
roam freely, and was killed.

[Bob Lyons]

A few shots of FJ related to the document group...


Bob

[Sarge]

Outstanding FJ grouping! Wish it was mine!
Sarge

[Bill T]

Sorry to dig up and old thread.....this is a great grouping. I am currently researching the 13./LL Sturm Rgt 1 and later FJ Rgt 6. Seems our men fought the same battles, and most likely along to Monte Rotondo and other parts of Italy.
That shot of the men of the 15th kmpanie is outstanding. Worth a bump

[Paul D]

Bob as i've been away quite a bit over the last few months i missed this post , superb document grouping and just to add he isn't listed in the Volksbund database !!

[Gunny Hartmann]

Great group!....

[harryamb2]

brill group.