9. Fallschirmjäger-Division

History 9. Fallschirmjäger-Division

On September 24^th, 1944, Hermann Göring orders the formation of the 9. Fallschirmjäger-Division. This order is rescinded on December 12^th, 1944. In January 1945, Generalleutnant Wilke receives orders to begin assembling the intended divisional units. He has already formed the 5th Fallschirmjäger-Division. The assembly area lies south of Stettin.

In early February 1945, the divisional staff convenes. Several designated units remain deployed on the Eastern Front. They are unavailable or only partially available. Many divisional units exist only on paper. Their formation remains largely nominal. On March 17^th, 1945, a formal order declares the division operational. The order states that the 9. Fallschirmjäger-Division is formed with immediate effect.

The Luftwaffe provides officers and aircrew for the new formation. Additional personnel arrive from replacement units in Wehrkreis II. On April 8^th, 1945, the 9th Fallschirmjäger-Division within 9. Armee receives its combat task. It is assigned to expected defensive fighting on the Oder.

The division defends a sector between Seelow and Letschin on the west bank of the Oder. This sector forms part of the encirclement front around the Soviet bridgehead at Küstrin. The divisional command post is established northwest of Gusow at Neuenhäuser.

On April 16^th, 1945, the Soviet offensive breaks out from the Küstrin bridgehead toward Berlin. The divisional line is breached. The division suffers heavy losses. On April 17^th, 1945, and April 18^th, 1945, surviving elements withdraw from positions around Zechin. They retreat via Gusow and Bukow to the Strassberg and Müncheberg line.

Elements of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 26 withdraw north toward Wriezen. Elements of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 25 are pushed north toward Berlin. The remaining elements withdraw toward Berlin via Hoppegarten and Hennickendorf. They fight in the southern districts between Köpenick, Lichterfelde, and the Teltow Canal.

On April 24^th, 1945, Berlin is encircled. The remnants of the division transfer into the northern sector of the city. They deploy first near Neukölln. They later fight along Schönhauser Allee. By May 2^nd, 1945, the 9. Fallschirmjäger-Division is destroyed in Berlin. The remaining elements surrender to Soviet forces.

Elements not trapped in Berlin continue fighting outside the city. These are parts of Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 25 and Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 26. They fight until the end of the war.