Fallschirmjager Lehr-Bataillon des Fliegerkorps XI

[pimpf]

Hello! Looking for information about history of this unit. I was lucky to found out some details like participation in batle for North Africa under command of major Burckhardt. But "before and after" history still bad known for me.

1. When and where this unit was formed? What was an origin for forming this unit? ( As far as I know it was I/FJR 3 dispatched from regiment?)

2. Who was initial commander of the unit: Hptm. Frhr. v.d Heydte or Major Burckhardt?

3. Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 7 was formed in the Vannes/Bretagne area in February 1943.The Fallschirmjäger-Lehr-Bataillon became I/FJR 7. How is this possible if the unit surrendered to English troops in North Africa?

4. During the Grand Sasso raid it was this unit under command of major Mors?

Any help will be strongly appreciated!

Cheers,
Pimpf

[Alex Stefanut]

After Crete, it was decided to create an "experimental" unit (Lehr, from now on).

With the rest of the II/FJR1, decimated in the Greek island, it was decided to organize a new unit to the control of Burkhardt. This unit would be reinforced with new replacements and in August of 1941, the operative life of the Fallschirmjager Lehr Bataillon, pertaining to XI the Flieger Korps began.

Burkhardt tried to investigate and to try new techniques, as well as to improve the traditional methods of use of the airborne troops. The jumps with personal arms, the launching of heavy arms of support (artillery) were habitual in the training. At the end of 1941 the battalion was transferred to the North of Afrika, in support of the Afrika-Korps de Rommel.

There they were used like terrestrial troops in the front of the Agelia, Agedabia and Bengasi. Meanwhile in March of 1942, XI the Flieger Korps decides to create another unit of the type Lehr Bataillon. From the II/FJR3 and under the command of the Hauptmann von to der Heydte is created this new unit.

In April of 1942 the Fallschirm Lehr Bataillon Burkhardt returns of Afrika to recover of the strong losses. At the beginning of July of 1942 the things begin to put themselves bad for Rommel. It is decided to send a Fallschirm-Brigade to the control of Ramcke. This unit was prepared for the assault of Malta. When cancelling itself, this unit was frees. To be noted that within this brigade they were both Fallschirm Lehr Bataillon de Burkhardt and von to der Heydte.

Cheers,

Al

[pimpf]

Thank You very much! If I understood You correct there were 2 units with the same title: Fallschirmjager Lehr Btl. des Fligerkorps XI?

[Ypenburg]

To add something to this old post: I'm curently busy adding what I could find on the Fsch.Lehr-Btl. -XI Flieger Korps to my blog. Already added are:

1st Lehr.Btl. (From FJR3):
1.Kp.: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...aillon-xi.html

4.Kp.: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...nt-3-lehr.html

2nd Lehr.Btl.:
3.Kp.: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...egerkorps.html

More (1.-3. Kp., Kraftfahr-Kp. and Stab./v.d. Heydte) comming up the next few days.

Best Regards,

[Edgar Alcidi]

To add something to this old post: I'm curently busy adding what I could find on the Fsch.Lehr-Btl. -XI Flieger Korps to my blog. Already added are:

1st Lehr.Btl. (From FJR3):
1.Kp.: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...aillon-xi.html

4.Kp.: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...nt-3-lehr.html

2nd Lehr.Btl.:
3.Kp.: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...egerkorps.html

More (1.-3. Kp., Kraftfahr-Kp. and Stab./v.d. Heydte) comming up the next few days.

Best Regards,

My lists (Afrika) for the 1st Kompanie are pretty different (just to point out of course, you made a great job btw). The 4th is closer to mine.
I think your sources are "earlier" Afrika.

[Ypenburg]

Thank you very much Edgar.

I have the KraftfahrKp. here: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...irm-jager.html

and Stab here: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...nt-3-lehr.html

Next are 13 + 14/FJR3 (end 1941), Stamm 5. Lehr.Btl. and 2 un-identified Kp's comming up.
Hopefully someone can shed some light on the last 2.

Best regards,

[Edgar Alcidi]

Thank you very much Edgar.

I have the KraftfahrKp. here: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...irm-jager.html

and Stab here: http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...nt-3-lehr.html

Next are 13 + 14/FJR3 (end 1941), Stamm 5. Lehr.Btl. and 2 un-identified Kp's comming up.
Hopefully someone can shed some light on the last 2.

Best regards,

The list of the Stab seems to be done before Kreta. V. Blücher for example was KIA on Kreta. Lauk was later on commander of the 2./Rgt.3

[Ypenburg]

Hello Edgar,

Sorry but no, it is the 21.01.1942 list. This Lt. von Blücher is not the same as the RK-träger Olt. Wolfgang Graf von Blücher who was with 2./FJR2 and indeed was KIA at Crete. This von Blücher is however also born in Altengotten so I have been wondering if they are somehow related, though latter is not mentionned as being a "Graf von Blücher". But then again, von der Heydte is also not on the list as Freiherr. I'll post a part of the list when I get home tonight so you can see for yourself.

Best regards,

2./FJR3 (Lehr): http://gliederungundstellenbesetzung...nt-3-lehr.html

[Ypenburg]

Best regards,

[Edgar Alcidi]

Best regards,

Very interesting indeed. It was my mistake..sorry. I forgot to check the "first name" of v. Blücher indeed. They was 4 brothers in total. Three was KIA on Kreta, Adolf, the 4th, was sent home and discharged by the duty to avoid other losses to the family (he will die later on anyway as "forest officer"). Strange anyway that the official rank of Adolf was Oberleutnant zur See....in the theory nothing to do with FJ.

Anyway an amazing story, kind of german private Ryan...