Fjr 8

[Graeme G]

I recieved a letter from Wast identifying a helmet in my collection that belonged to a member of Stab 1 Fallschirmjager regiment 8. I have done a few net searches and come up with little information on this unit- can anyone please give me a few more details as to its involvement in the Normandy Battles and particularly the St Lo sector. Thanks in advance

[Graeme G]

Any information on FJ regiment 8 ??? - the helmet in question is to be honest the best piece of my collection- the owner was reported as KIA on the day that St Lo fell and is buried in La Cambe. Any information about this unit would be massively appreciated.

[Willi Z.]

Graeme, there is very little in print on FJR8. I just again briefly reviewed the new book on St Lo. While is does present the actions of the 3rd FJD, it mentions very little about FJR8 and FJR5. Most of the information is about FJR9. FJR8 was certainly heavily engaged in the battle for St Lo.

[H BABERT]

Hello,
FJR8 was regiment of third FJD wich was created in december 43. In januar 44 the division was sent to brittany for training. FJR8 stab was in the little town of Sizun and trained until early june 44 in the area of Sizun and the local "mountain" (Monts d'Arrée see pic of the wherpass), after d-day third division was sent to normandy by foot, with bicycle, and without a lot of vehicles.
Herlé

[Daniele C]

3rd Parachute Division
The 3rd Parachute Division under the command of Generalleutnant Richard Schimpf, along with the 5th, formed the 2nd Parachute Corps under the command of General Eugen Meindl. The 2nd Corps was part of the 7th Army who was entrusted with the defence of the Cotentin Peninsula.
In January 1944, the 3rd Parachute Division was moved from Reims to Monts d' Arree, 30km east of Brest. XXV Armee Korps orders were to counter-attack any allied invasion and complete training. The division had 70% of its weapons but lacked Mortars and AT weapons. It had sufficient ammunition for 3 days and only 40% of its normal quota of trucks, (these had been commandeered for the eastern front).

On the 7th June, D-Day + 1, the division moved to Avranches, with only a spearhead made up of Kampfgruppe Alpers, the rest of the division had to follow on foot. Between 17th-18th June the division took up positions to the north of St Lò. They were to advance from their positions and drive the invading forces back into the sea. On their left flank was the 352nd Inf.Div and on the right, 17th SS.Pz.Gren Division, G.v.B. Divisional HQ was east of Chapelle du Fest.
The division's first encounter with enemy forces was on the 14th June when the Para spearhead encountered armour of the US 7th Corps on the St Lò to Bayeaux road.

(This is incorrect as I have evidence that Kampfgruppe Alpers from FJR8 clashed with American Shermans in the Balleroy forest near Berigny on 8th-10th June 1944. This was the spearhead of the US advance on St.Lo.)
With the aid of accurate artillery fire from the 12th Fallschirm-SP Brigade they managed to inflict heavy casualties on the Americans.

When the division finally became whole on the 17th, they were ordered to take up positions across a 15 mile sector from Foret de Cerisy to Caumont, east of St Lò.
The 5th, 8th and 9th Regiments stretched along this line managed to hold it against heavy attacks from American armour for 3 weeks, depriving the enemy of St Lò.
St Lò had become an important strategic objective for the American advance and on the 11th July they mounted an offensive to break the German line around the town. The offensive opened with a devastating artillery barrage that inflicted heavy casualties on the Para Regiments.

The 3rd Division had to withdrawal in the face of increasing pressure and St Lò fell to the allies on the 19th July.
In June 1944, losses for the 3rd Division were, 436 dead, 1513 wounded and 136 missing. 17% of its total strength.
On July 25th the American forces resumed their offensive to try and encircle the 5th Panzer Army and 7th Army (to which 3rd Para was attached). The 3rd Division along with the 12th SP Brigade tried in vain to contain the US 7th Corps advance. General Patton's 3rd Army was diverted from Brittany to help exploit the breakthrough at St Lò.
The Allies now dominated the Normandy countryside and German forces were pushed back under constant pressure of the advancing armoured units.

[WalterB]

I would really like to see pictures of the helmet, whenever you get a chance. Thanks.

[Graeme G]

Thanks for your imput fellahs- I remember seeing a picture of Major Alpers taken in a village south of the St Lo- Bayeux road ( 192 is just north of this road )

[Willi Z.]

Major Alpers was the commander of I./FJR9.