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The ”’3rd ”Luftwaffe” Field Division”’ ({{langx|de|links=no|3.Luftwaffen-Feld-Division}}) was an infantry division of the [[Luftwaffe]] branch of the [[Wehrmacht]] that fought in World War II. It was formed using surplus ground crew of the ”Luftwaffe” at Troop Training Ground Gross-Born in Pomerania on the 19th September 1942. The unit’s infantry complement contained no regimental headquarters, but did have four independently led Jager battalions. The four Jager battalions that formed the core of the Division came from Luftgau III (Berlin). The Divisions Artillery Battalion contained two batteries of [[10.5 cm leFH 18M]] Towed Guns (by the [[Raupenschlepper Ost]] or [[Opel Blitz]] vehicles) and a battery of 75mm L24 Short Barreled [[Sturmgeschütz III]] Assault Guns. The Panzer-Jager Company contained [[7.5 cm Pak 40]] towed anti-tank guns & was later upgraded to a battalion of 3 companies. The Flak Company contained half track mounted Flak 37 [[3.7 cm Flak 18/36/37]] guns, and was also later upgraded to a battalion of 3 companies. The Division served on the Central Sector under [[Army Group Centre]] on the [[Eastern Front (WWII)|Eastern Front]] from late 1942 to early 1944 at which time it was disbanded.{{sfn|Munoz|2025|pp=26–33}} |
The ”’3rd ”Luftwaffe” Field Division”’ ({{langx|de|links=no|3.Luftwaffen-Feld-Division}}) was an infantry division of the [[Luftwaffe]] branch of the [[Wehrmacht]] that fought in World War II. It was formed using surplus ground crew of the ”Luftwaffe” at Troop Training Ground Gross-Born in Pomerania on the 19th September 1942. The unit’s infantry complement contained no regimental headquarters, but did have four independently led Jager battalions. The four Jager battalions that formed the core of the Division came from Luftgau III (Berlin). The Divisions Artillery Battalion contained two batteries of [[10.5 cm leFH 18M]] Towed Guns (by the [[Raupenschlepper Ost]] or [[Opel Blitz]] vehicles) and a battery of 75mm L24 Short Barreled [[Sturmgeschütz III]] Assault Guns. The Panzer-Jager Company contained [[7.5 cm Pak 40]] towed anti-tank guns & was later upgraded to a battalion of 3 companies. The Flak Company contained half track mounted Flak 37 [[3.7 cm Flak 18/36/37]] guns, and was also later upgraded to a battalion of 3 companies. The Division served on the Central Sector under [[Army Group Centre]] on the [[Eastern Front (WWII)|Eastern Front]] from late 1942 to early 1944 at which time it was disbanded.{{sfn|Munoz|2025|pp=26–33}} |
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Latest revision as of 09:49, 12 November 2025
German military unit
Military unit
The 3rd Luftwaffe Field Division (German: 3.Luftwaffen-Feld-Division) was an infantry division of the Luftwaffe branch of the Wehrmacht that fought in World War II. It was formed using surplus ground crew of the Luftwaffe at Troop Training Ground Gross-Born in Pomerania on the 19th September 1942. The unit’s infantry complement contained no regimental headquarters, but did have four independently led Jager battalions. The four Jager battalions that formed the core of the Division came from Luftgau III (Berlin). The Divisions Artillery Battalion contained two batteries of 10.5 cm leFH 18M Towed Guns (by the Raupenschlepper Ost or Opel Blitz vehicles) and a battery of 75mm L24 Short Barreled Sturmgeschütz III Assault Guns. The Panzer-Jager Company contained 7.5 cm Pak 40 towed anti-tank guns & was later upgraded to a battalion of 3 companies. The Flak Company contained half track mounted Flak 37 3.7 cm Flak 18/36/37 guns, and was also later upgraded to a battalion of 3 companies. The Division served on the Central Sector under Army Group Centre on the Eastern Front from late 1942 to early 1944 at which time it was disbanded.
Operational history
[edit]
The 3rd Luftwaffe Field Division, one of several such divisions of the Luftwaffe, was formed in mid-1942 in Gross-Born Troop Maneuver Area, under the command of Generalmajor[Note 6] Robert Pistorious. Intended to serve as infantry, its personnel were largely drawn from surplus Luftwaffe (German Air Force) ground crew.
Towards the end of 1942, the division was assigned to Army Group Centre on the Eastern Front and fought in engagements at Nevel from November 1942 to October 1943 under 3rd Panzer Army. Responsibility for the division was transferred to the Army on 1 November 1943 and designated 3rd Field Division (L). Later that month, it participated in actions at Vitebsk against the Soviet Army and remained on the front lines until January 1944. Shortly afterwards, after suffering heavy losses in the fighting at Vitebsk, the division was disbanded. Surviving personnel were absorbed by the 4th and 6th Luftwaffe Field Divisions.
- Generalmajor Robert Pistorius[Note 7] (Sep 1942 – Jan 1944).
Footnotes
- ^ In the Summer of 1943 this was expanded to an Artillery regiment, and regimental staff was formed, and the existing Artillery Battalion now became the III Artillery Battalion of the Luftwaffe 3rd Artillery Regiment. It retained its old organisation of two artillery batteries and a Sturmeschutz battery. The I & II Artillery Battalions contained two batteries each.
- ^ In the Summer of 1943 this became the 5th Battalion of the Artillery Regiment.
- ^ This acted as the reconnaissance and fusilier unit within the Division.
- ^ On the 12 February 1944 this was expanded to a regiment and designated I/43rd Motorised Flak Regiment.
- ^ In the Summer of 1943 this became the 4th Battalion of the Artillery Regiment.
- ^ The rank of generalmajor is equivalent to that of brigadier general in the United States Army.
- ^ Pistorious was later promoted to generalleutnant, which is equivalent to the rank of major general in the United States Army.
Citations
- Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007a). German Order of Battle, Volume Two: 291st–999th Infantry Divisions, Named Infantry Divisions, and Special Divisions in WWII. Mechanicsburg, PA, United States: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3437-0.
- Mitcham, Samuel W. (2007b). German Order of Battle, Volume Three: Panzer, Panzer Grenadier, and Waffen SS Divisions in WWII. Mechanicsburg, PA, United States: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3438-7.
- Munoz, Antonio J. (2025). Hitler’s Luftwaffe Infantry, The German Air Force Field Divisions 1942–1945. Frontline Books. ISBN 978-1-03613-033-6.
- Mitcham, Samuel W. (1985). German Order of Battle World War II. Trowbridge, Wiltshire: Leo Cooper in association with Secker & Warburg Limited, London. ISBN 0-436-28200-3.
