Fallschimjager


Brief History

Fallschirmjäger (often rendered Fallschirmjager in English; from the German Fallschirm "parachute" and Jäger, "hunter; ranger" a term for light infantry) are German paratroopers. Fallschirmjäger of Germany in World War II were the first to be committed in large-scale airborne operations. During the entirety of World War II, the Fallschirmjäger commander was Kurt Student.

The military use of paratroopers as airborne infantry is originally a Russian innovation. Since the 1920s the Russian military exercised and demonstrated the use of paratroopers in increasingly larger scale. Some foreign officers were allowed to observe these exercises. One of them was a German Colonel, Kurt Student, who was a fighter pilot and squadron leader in World War 1. Student was excited by the military potential of paratroopers, but the establishment of the German paratroopers force was delayed until the German military build up began in 1935.

Fallschirmjäger units were usually very well equipped; they had access to the best weapons of the German military and were classed as elite troops, even more elite the Waffen SS. They were among the first combat units to use assault rifles and recoilless rifles in warfare.

Fallschirmjaeger fought with extraordinary courage on the attack and unparalleled tenacity on defence, a characteristic which had earned them the nickname of ‘Green Devils’ by the Allies.  Fallschirmjäger are most famous for their defense of Monte Cassino monastery during the Italian campaign.

The Unit

As a group we aim to represent how the Fallschirmjaeger lived and fought on the frontlines during World War Two. We mainly portray the Fallschirmjager from the Western Front, from 1940-45. Compared with the other Units in the club the Fallschirmjaeger section is relatively new so for this reason we have still not aquired a large
number of members, we would encourage anyone who has a strong interest in this group to contact us, not only because our group in quite small but also re-enacting Fallschirmjaeger is very unique, with this being the only FJ group in Northern Ireland.

Equipment

Being an airborne unit the Fallschirmhager used whatever equipment they had at their disposal. At our various shows you can any of the items below plus lots more personal and standard German field gear.

Fg42 type E and G models
Stg44,
Mg42/53
anti-air, Mg34 w/tri-pod
K-98
Mp40
20mm flak cannon
WaltherP-38
Walther PPK
Panzerfaust.

 

If you would like to learn more about this unit please contact us at recruitment@wartimeliving.co.uk