After the recent impulse purchase of a Kv-II and painting it as part of Pz Abt Zbv-66 which was part of the German contribution to operation C3 the planned invasion of Malta 1942. I have developed an interest in gaming this operation out or at least exploring the possibilities in conducting this invasion.
One problem I have had is in tracking down the what German forces are actually were to be involved in the operation. Most resources mention either the 7th Flieger division or Brigade Ramcke and one suggest both. The idea behind this post is to clarify what fallschrirmjaeger resources are available in the summer of 1942 that are avilable to participate in this action and not just those expected to take part. Now Operation C3 did not take place so there is unlikely to ever be a definitive order of battle for the attackers rather there likely to be several different possible order of battles. These will reflect the development of the planning over time as well as the various debates that are occurring behind the scene.So there may exist different plans, some calling for 7th Flieger division and others using smaller forces such as Brigade Ramcke.
Now it is also generally agreed to that Hitler was at best ambivalent about this operation. This is generally assumed to be due to the losses suffered in the air assault on Crete as well as doubts about the Italians ability to carry out the operation. What this article will show is that while the Germans officially had a division of Fallschirmjaeger. it's readiness as a division to conduct an operation that was expected to be tougher than the airdrop on Crete is open to doubt. While this does not mean that the attack can't go in, it does make it easier to put off.
One thing beyond the scope of this article is the movement of individual Fallschirmhaeger as I am only tracking battalions and above. But there are several points worth noting, none of which improve the readiness of the Fallschrimjaeger. The first point worth making is that at this time the Luftwaffe was in the process of creating 20 divisions of Jaegers as part of Gorings boastful posturing to Hitler and any trained soldier such as the Fallschirmjaeger would be useful for these raw recruits as a cadre but have a negative impact on the Fallschrimjaeger readiness. Some of these Fallschrimjaeger are also being diverted South to assist the Italians in creating their own parachute units.
The largest unit of Fallschrimjaeger in the summer of 1942 was the 7th Flieger division, though it would appear that there plans to create a second division even then as several new regiments were established around this time. The division was composed of four regiments, the Sturm regiment and the 1st - 3rd Fallschirmjaeger(FJR1 - FJR3). The division had conducted no operations since Crete though all its major sub-units had been detached off to various tasks.
The Sturm regiment had four battalions was in a state of flux and would eventually be re-badged. The regimental headquarters was in Russia acting as the headquarters for a kampgruppe of Luftwaffe grenadiers under the title of Division Miendal. Of its four battalions, two the II & III were to become part of the the new FJR-5. Of the other two the IV battalion was detached to FJR-2 in order to bring it up to strength when they were sent off to Russia, the I battalion also joining them. Overall the regiment was inoperative buts its sub-units were scattered around the place and their fate is tied to those they are serving with.
Fallschirmjaeger regiment 1 had three battalions. From October 1941 the regiment less II battalion but with I battalion of the Sturm regiment replacing it had served in Russia. They all returned to base in January 1942 so by the summer should be fully operational. The II battalion had meanwhile been detached from the regiment and had become a Lehr battalion and a new battalion had replaced it. This new II battalion will most likely be operational by the summer.
Fallschirmjaeger regiment 2 also had three battalions. The I & II battalions had served in Russia with regimental headquarters and the I & IV battalions of the Sturm regiment. They had only from the Eastern front returned in the autumn. Meanwhile the III battalion was detached to form part of the new FJR-4. Soon after its return the I battalion was detached to Brigade Ramcke. Now this is speculative but I think it it reasonable to assume that the I battalion of FJR-2 attached to Ramcke includes combat ready elements from the II battalion and possibly though elements of the Sturm regiment that had served with it in Russia. So this regiment is pretty much out of action for the summer.
Fallschirmjaeger regiment 3 had four battalions but it was not operating as such. Rather it would appear that there were plans to convert the I battalion to a second Lehr battalion, though it would appear that it was not formally designated as such. Like the other two it had also spent time time Russia returning in January. Upon its return it raised the IV battalion to replace the detached I battalion. With six months back at base this was possibly the best trained and most ready unit of Fallschirmjaegeer the Germans had.
Fallschirmjaeger regiments 4 & 5 were formed during the summer. Rather than being recruited from scratch several battalions were allocated to these regiments and were allocated new ID's as a result. So III/FJR-2 formed the III battalion of Fallschirmjaeger regiment 4. While II & III battalions of the Sturm regiment become part of Fallschirmjaeger regiment 5. II/FJR-5 would be transferred to the Ramcke brigade
The final unit, I am discussing is the Ramcke brigade. It's original structure was only of three battalions each drawn from a different regiment the I/FJR-2, I/FJR-3 and II/FJR-5. As such the brigade is the equivalent a Fallschrirmjaeger regiment. This gives gives the Germans enough troops to bring the 7th Flieger division upto three full regiments each of three battalions or the flexibility to drop it as independent brigade. So within the objectives of this article, it is almost irrelevant whether the Ramcke brigade or 7th Flieger division is the unit going to make the drop on Malta. What is worth important to note is that the creation of the Ramcke brigade gives the Germans the option to drop a division sized force of three regiments onto Malta.
Yet while on paper the Germans had access to a division the actual situation is more complex. Of the six regiments and one brigade discussed here, two regiments are inoperative, two are brand new and only two are operational but they have each raised a new battalion. Thought they also have only had six months to recover and retrain after a tour in Russia. The Ramcke brigade consists of three veteran battalions, one of which has recently returned from Russia. So of the nine battalions that comprise the three regiments and brigades of the 7th Flieger division force to attack Malta. Six are older battalions hopefully fit, rejuvenated and ready for operation, two are new and one older battalion recently back from Russia. To push this reasoning to its extreme conclusion only six battalions may be fully 100% ready for an airborne assault. Though doubts maybe raised about even this number as I suggested earlier if you consider the movement of individuals.
I have also been vague on dates referring only to the summer of 1942. This has been deliberate on my part as in most part the data just does no exist. Even when it has, I have chosen to refer only to the season inpart because everything is not set in stone and could change at anytime from the end of the Gazala battles to when the Folgore division is sent to North Africa. As everything could still change, much of what I have outlined here is only relatively true. With availability being even lower at the start of summer and higher at the end.
So in conclusion. If Operation C3/Herkules is dependent upon having a division of German Fallschrimjaeger there does exist grounds for delaying the mission. Time is required to get the division fully operational or acceptance of a higher risk of failure or greater losses. A smaller force requirement is a far to get into the field.
Now for a note on sources.
Tessin's, Deutsche Verbände und Truppen 1918–1939 got me started on this.
Bruce Quarries, German Airborne Divisions: Mediterranean Theatre 1942-45 was useful in tracking the movement of the various units.
Then of course there is the web.
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de
http://www.ww2.dk/
http://www.feldgrau.net
