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| January 3rd, 2026 |
| Last Updated |
| January 3rd, 2026 |
| Germany |
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| Founded |
| September 24, 1944 |
| Disbanded |
| May 5th, 1945 |
| Theater of Operations |
| Germany The Netherlands |
| History 8. Fallschirmjäger-Division |
By order dated September 24th, 1944, the formation of the 8th Fallschirmjäger-Division is directed. On December 12th, 1944, higher command postpones the formation. Work resumes only in January 1945. The division consists of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 22 and Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 24. Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 23 is already serving with 2. Fallschirmjäger-Division from late 1944.
At the start of renewed formation, the division has few organic troops available. These are Fallschirm-Pionier-Bataillon 8, Feld-Ersatz-Bataillon 8, and the divisional supply and logistics troops. The division is subordinated to II. Fallschirm-Korps. Units previously deployed by regiment and battalion around Nijmegen, Eindhoven, Roermond, and Venlo now consolidate under divisional command. From mid-January 1945, they establish defensive positions on the Maas Line between Roermond, Swalmen, Bessel, Reuver, Kaldenkirchen, and Venlo.
Combat activity remains limited in this sector. The division conducts active reconnaissance. It also blocks several Allied attempts to cross to the west bank of the Maas. At the beginning of February 1945, the division receives the Sturm-Bataillon of 1. Fallschirm-Armee. This battalion forms at Lichtenvoorde, Holland, during summer 1944. It replaces the still-missing third regiment.
After the Allied offensive against the Rhine opens on February 8th, 1945, Allied forces break through the Reichswald. On February 16th, 1945, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 22 leaves its Maas positions. It transfers into the Weeze, Kevelaer, and Uedem area. Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 26 is temporarily placed under 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division. It deploys on both sides of the road from Goch to Weeze.
A few days after Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 22 moves, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 24 also leaves the Maas. It transfers to the area east of Uedem. On February 25th, 1945, it establishes positions in the Hochwald near Marienbaum. These positions follow the Schlieffen Line. The line runs south-west from the Rhine toward Weeze. On February 26th, 1945, the remaining Sturm-Bataillon also leaves the Maas. It moves to Xanten. It is temporarily subordinated to Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 24.
On February 28th, 1945, Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 24 attacks as part of 116. Panzer-Division. The attack moves from Xanten toward the high ground of the Xantener Wald. The objective is a British armoured wedge thrusting east from the Uedem direction. British resistance stops the attack and it fails.
In the first days of March 1945, the division fights heavy defensive actions in the southern sector of the Wesel bridgehead. The front runs along the Kapellen and Hamb line to the south-eastern part of the Bönninghardt high ground. Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 22 and Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 24 defend around Borth and Wallach. The Sturm-Bataillon fights near Veen between 6. Fallschirmjäger-Division and 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division.
Despite severe fighting, German forces complete the planned withdrawal across the Rhine. The Sturm-Bataillon is the last unit of II. Fallschirm-Korps to cross the river. This crossing occurs on March 10th, 1945. After crossing, the 8. Fallschirmjäger-Division establishes a defensive position on both sides of the Rhine near Rees.
During the night of March 24th, 1945, Allied river-crossing attempts begin. For two days, the division repels the assaults. Allied forces then break through on the right bank toward Millingen. British airborne troops land near Hamminkeln and Loikum. They attack toward Haldern. The division now faces encirclement.
With the exception of the Sturm-Bataillon holding Rees, the division withdraws toward Isselburg on March 26th, 1945. On March 27th, 1945, the Sturm-Bataillon also breaks out. Its remnants number only fifty men. They rejoin the division near Werth.
During later fighting along the Bocholt and Isselburg line, the division loses contact with 6th Fallschirmjäger-Division. This occurs around March 29th, 1945. The division then fights repeated actions with exposed flanks. It withdraws via Aalten and Groenlo toward Enschede. By the end of March 1945, it reaches the Neede and Alstätte line.
After delaying actions around Enschede, the division holds for several days between Oldenzaal and Bentheim in early April 1945. It then withdraws to the east bank of the Ems. This withdrawal reaches the Rheine and Lingen sector on April 6th, 1945.
The division then withdraws toward Oldenburg. On April 10th, 1945, it is detached from II. Fallschirm-Korps. It is placed under the LXXXVI. Armeekorps on its left. In the following days, the remnants take positions near Cloppenburg. They later deploy south of Oldenburg between Wardenburg and Delmenhorst.
At the beginning of May 1945, higher command orders withdrawal from the front. The remaining elements are to transfer via Hamburg to Schleswig-Holstein. They are intended as an army reserve against an expected Allied Elbe crossing southeast of Hamburg. This movement does not take place.
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 22 ends the war on May 5th, 1945, between Hamburg and Bad Oldesloe. Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 24 ends the war near Bramstedt. The remnants of the Sturm-Bataillon surrender in the Segeberg area.