FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
I am working on a simulation of the Invasion of Crete and am focused on the FJR 2 landings around Rethymnon, particularly their order of battle and landing zones.
One of the best sources I have found so far is Crete (Official history of New Zealand in the Second World War, 1939-45) by D.M. Davin. His map shows landing zones for I/2 and III/2 companies as well as 13 Coy and a MG Coy. Other data indicates there was a second MG Coy as well as the 14 Coy in this landing. Can anyone confirm their participation in this landing? Where were they landed?
Additionally, another excellent topic suggest that 2. Battery Fallschirm-Artillerie-Abteilung 7 also landed in this area. Can anyone confirm that and where they landed? http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 5#p1675302
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Joe
One of the best sources I have found so far is Crete (Official history of New Zealand in the Second World War, 1939-45) by D.M. Davin. His map shows landing zones for I/2 and III/2 companies as well as 13 Coy and a MG Coy. Other data indicates there was a second MG Coy as well as the 14 Coy in this landing. Can anyone confirm their participation in this landing? Where were they landed?
Additionally, another excellent topic suggest that 2. Battery Fallschirm-Artillerie-Abteilung 7 also landed in this area. Can anyone confirm that and where they landed? http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 5#p1675302
Thank you very much for your assistance.
Joe
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Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
Hi
There is a few pages of detail of the drop at Rethymnon at pages 189 to 191 in
The 'lost battle Crete 1941' : Callum McDonald : Papermac : ISBN 0-330-61675-8
Noel
There is a few pages of detail of the drop at Rethymnon at pages 189 to 191 in
The 'lost battle Crete 1941' : Callum McDonald : Papermac : ISBN 0-330-61675-8
Noel
Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
Gruppe Kroh (Führer Major Kroh): I./FJR 2 (Stab, N.Zug, 1./, 3./, 4./FJR2), 2./M.G.Btl. 7, 1 Zug 2./Fsch.Fla.M.G.Btl., 1 Zug 13./FJR 2, 1 Zug 14./FJR 2 (1 Zug 14./FJR 2 not mentionnend in AAR).
Gruppe Wiedermann (Führer Hauptmann Wiedermann): III./FJR 2, 2./Fsch.Art.Abt. 7, 1./M.G.Btl. 7, 1 Zug 2./Fsch.Fla.M.G.Btl., 1 Zug 13./FJR 2, 1 Zug 14./FJR 2 (only Stab, N-Zug, 9./FJR 2, 11./FJR 2, 2./Fsch.Art.Abt. 7, 1 Zug 2./Fsch.Fla.M.G.Btl., parts of 1./M.G.Btl. 7, 1 Zug 14./FJR 2 reached the TO. 10./ and 11./FJR 2 were wrongly dropped in the I./FJR 2 TO)
SOURCE:
- Anlagen z. KTB1 KRETA FJR 2 - BaMa Freiburg
- Der deutsche Fallschirmjäger 1961/4 + 1961/5
Gruppe Wiedermann (Führer Hauptmann Wiedermann): III./FJR 2, 2./Fsch.Art.Abt. 7, 1./M.G.Btl. 7, 1 Zug 2./Fsch.Fla.M.G.Btl., 1 Zug 13./FJR 2, 1 Zug 14./FJR 2 (only Stab, N-Zug, 9./FJR 2, 11./FJR 2, 2./Fsch.Art.Abt. 7, 1 Zug 2./Fsch.Fla.M.G.Btl., parts of 1./M.G.Btl. 7, 1 Zug 14./FJR 2 reached the TO. 10./ and 11./FJR 2 were wrongly dropped in the I./FJR 2 TO)
SOURCE:
- Anlagen z. KTB1 KRETA FJR 2 - BaMa Freiburg
- Der deutsche Fallschirmjäger 1961/4 + 1961/5
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Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
Student has 5 pages on the Rethymnon assault in his book - pages 255-260. It is in German - I shall look through it.
Fred
Fred
River Wide, Ocean Deep - a book about Operation Sealion:
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
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Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
Nice info, Ypenburg!
Fred
Fred
River Wide, Ocean Deep - a book about Operation Sealion:
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
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Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
Student/Götzel on Rethymnon - planned forces:
Colonel Sturm
FJR 2 - minus II. Bn.
13th. and 14th. coys/IV Bn./FJR 2
Staff and 2 coys./MG Bn./ 7th. Fl.Div.
2nd Coy/AA Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
2nd Bty/Arty.Bn./7th. Fl.Div. ( 4 RCL 10,5 cm. - air-dropped)
Disposition - Rethymnon airfield:
Major Kroh
I/FJR 2 - minus 2nd. Coy
2nd Coy/MG Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
1 platoon/ea. of 13th. and 14th. coys/IV Bn./FJR 2
1 platoon/2nd. coy/AA Bn.
Rethymnon City:
Captain Wiedemann
III/FJR 2
1st. Coy/MG Bn.
1 platoon from ea. of 13th. and 14th. coys/IV Bn./FJR 2
Part of 2nd. Coy/AA Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
2nd. Bty. Arty.Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
Reserves - between Rethymnon airfield and Rethymnon city:
Colonel Sturm
Regimental staff w/Recce platoon
Staff/MG Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
2nd. Coy/I/FJR 2
1 platoon ea./13th. and 14th. coys/IV Bn/FJR 2
---------------------------------------------------------
As we know the insertions did not go as planned.
Fred
Colonel Sturm
FJR 2 - minus II. Bn.
13th. and 14th. coys/IV Bn./FJR 2
Staff and 2 coys./MG Bn./ 7th. Fl.Div.
2nd Coy/AA Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
2nd Bty/Arty.Bn./7th. Fl.Div. ( 4 RCL 10,5 cm. - air-dropped)
Disposition - Rethymnon airfield:
Major Kroh
I/FJR 2 - minus 2nd. Coy
2nd Coy/MG Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
1 platoon/ea. of 13th. and 14th. coys/IV Bn./FJR 2
1 platoon/2nd. coy/AA Bn.
Rethymnon City:
Captain Wiedemann
III/FJR 2
1st. Coy/MG Bn.
1 platoon from ea. of 13th. and 14th. coys/IV Bn./FJR 2
Part of 2nd. Coy/AA Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
2nd. Bty. Arty.Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
Reserves - between Rethymnon airfield and Rethymnon city:
Colonel Sturm
Regimental staff w/Recce platoon
Staff/MG Bn./7th. Fl.Div.
2nd. Coy/I/FJR 2
1 platoon ea./13th. and 14th. coys/IV Bn/FJR 2
---------------------------------------------------------
As we know the insertions did not go as planned.
Fred
River Wide, Ocean Deep - a book about Operation Sealion:
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
Excellent, all! Thank you so very much. Your time and help is much appreciated.
Joe
Joe
Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
i was on holiday near rethmynon- and discovered the site of the airfield was behind the hotel i was in! i believe communication was problematic- with many soldiers believing the allied forces were well in control- all except the maleme area-as it became apparent- si
Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
The best book I have read on Crete was by Antony Beevor - Crete The Battle and The Resistance. If the text doesn't include the information you seek, then the references included in the bibligraphy should.
The Last Field Marshal. One Man's Struggle Between Duty and Conscience During World War II.
http://www.amazon.com/Marshal-Struggle- ... B00BG7769O
http://www.amazon.com/Marshal-Struggle- ... B00BG7769O
Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
Hello my friends,Rob Munch wrote:The best book I have read on Crete was by Antony Beevor - Crete The Battle and The Resistance. If the text doesn't include the information you seek, then the references included in the bibligraphy should.
i'm really interested in this matter. Could you please maybe let me know where did you find this book and if it was in English or not ?
thanks a lot for your help
Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
Apart from Antony Beevors book, try also"The fall of Crete" by Alan Clark ISBN 0-304-35348-5-First published i GB 1962 reprinted by
Cassell Military Paperbooks 2004 price pounds 7.99 UK or US dollars 9.95
Jeger
Cassell Military Paperbooks 2004 price pounds 7.99 UK or US dollars 9.95
Jeger
Re: FJR 2. Invasion of Crete May, 1941
I have attached the map from the Greek Office History, The Battle of Crete May 1941. The map shows the Allied dispositions, the planed drop zones by unit and the actual drop area by unit. The map was too large for my scanner, but you should be able to piece it together as I provided plenty of overlap.
I hope this helps.
Pista! Jeff
I hope this helps.
Pista! Jeff
Jeff Leser
Infantrymen of the Air
Infantrymen of the Air