7th Parachute Division (Germany)

7th Parachute Division
German: 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division
Unit insignia
Active1944–45
Disbanded1945
Country Germany
BranchLuftwaffe
TypeFallschirmjäger
RoleAirborne forces
SizeDivision
Engagements
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Wolfgang Erdmann

The 7th Parachute Division (German: 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division) was a fallschirmjäger (airborne) division of the German military during the Second World War, active from 1944 to 1945.

The division was first formed as Fallschirmjäger-Division Erdmann in early September, 1944 from a collection of training units and remnants of other formations, and named after its commander Wolfgang Erdmann. [1][2] It fought in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands during Operation Market-Garden in September,[3][4][5] and on October 29th was redesignated as the 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division.[6] It contained the 19th, 20th and 21st Fallschirmjäger Regiments and other divisional support units. [7][8]

The division fought on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, surrendering at Oldenburg with the end of hostilities.[9][10]

  1. ^ Kershaw, p 23
  2. ^ Mitcham, p 294
  3. ^ Axis History Factbook (Erdmann)
  4. ^ Kershaw
  5. ^ Mitcham, p 294
  6. ^ Mitcham, p 294
  7. ^ Axis History Factbook (7. Division)
  8. ^ Mitcham, pp 293-294
  9. ^ Axis History Factbook
  10. ^ Mitcham, p 294