8th Parachute Division (Germany)

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8th Parachute Division
German: 8. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Unit insignia
Active1945
Disbanded1945
Country Germany
BranchBalkenkreuz (Iron Cross) Luftwaffe
TypeFallschirmjäger
SizeDivision
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Walter Wadehn

The 8th Parachute Division (German: 8. Fallschirmjäger-Division) was a division of the German military during the Second World War, active in 1945. It was fallschirmjäger in title only and was trained and served as a regular infantry unit.

An 8th Fallschirmjäger Division was originally ordered to be formed in September 1944, but this order was cancelled. The division was formed in January 1945, commanded by Walter Wadehn throughout its existence. It contained the 22nd, 24th and 32nd Fallschirmjäger Regiments.[1]

The division fought in the Netherlands and then withdrew through Germany, finally being trapped in the Ruhr pocket in April 1945 and destroyed.[1][2]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b Axis History Factbook
  2. ^ Mitcham

References[edit]

  • "8. Fallschirmjäger-Division". Axis History Factbook. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  • Mitcham, Jr, Samuel (2007). German Order of Battle Volume Two: 291st-999th Infantry Divisions, Named Infantry Divisions, and Special Divisions in WWII. Stackpole Books. p. 295. ISBN 0-8117-3437-4.