Fallschirmjäger Regiment Hübner
Encyclopedia
Fallschirmjäger
Regiment Hübner - or Kampfgruppe
Hübner - was formed as an alarm unit in August 1944, attached to Fallschirmjäger Division Erdmann
in September 1944, and operated as an independent Battle Group from November 1944 until March 1945, when it was formally designated Fallschirmjäger Regiment (FJR) 24 and subordinated to the 8. Fallschirmjäger Division.
, which fought against the 8th Army in North Africa. He continued service with the German Bundeswehr after the end of the war for several years.
In December 1944 both Kampfgruppe Hübner (at Regiment strength) and Kampfgruppe Müller (at Battalion strength) were sent to Roermond
to assist the 176th Infantry Division on the front along the Maas River. Both Hübner's and Müller's Kampfgruppen were used for training paratroops and were not yet numbered regiments, but rather carried the name of their commander. The correct unit names were “Fallschirmjäger Ersatz und Ausbildungs (paratrooper replacement and training) Regiment Hübner” and “Fallschirmjäger Ersatz Regiment Müller”.
During January 1945 the regiment was assigned to the 15th Army, and positioned on the Maas River, protecting the northern flank of the XII SS Corps. Elements of FJR Hübner conducted a spirited defense of St. Joost while under attack from the British 7th Armoured Division during Operation Blackcock
, January 19–21, 1945. The efforts of Hübner's men notwithstanding, the British closed in with support of flame-throwing tanks and seized St. Joost.
During Operation Blackcock
, English-speaking Fallschirmjäger of FJR Hübner were organised into a special patrolling section. The forty hand-picked men of this section spoke excellent English and were selected to infiltrate through the allied lines and cause as much trouble as possible. On several occasions during the first half of February the commandos
who were holding the line near Linne in the Roer Triangle, were surprised by nightly patrols of this special section.
In February 1945 Hübner’s Battle Group was designated Fallschirmjäger Regiment 24 (FJR 24) with the regiment still under the command of Oberstleutnant Hübner. In March 1945, FJR 24 was placed under command of Major Zander. As FJR 24, the regiment fought a delaying action in northwestern Germany, finally surrendering to British forces south of Bremen
in April 1945.
Fallschirmjäger
are German paratroopers. Together with the Gebirgsjäger they are perceived as the elite infantry units of the German Army....
Regiment Hübner - or Kampfgruppe
Kampfgruppe
In military history and military slang, the German term Kampfgruppe can refer to a combat formation of any kind, but most usually to that employed by the German Wehrmacht and its allies during World War II and, to a lesser extent, in World War I...
Hübner - was formed as an alarm unit in August 1944, attached to Fallschirmjäger Division Erdmann
7th Parachute Division (Germany)
The 7. Fallschirmjäger-Division was a fallschirmjäger division of the German military during the Second World War, active from 1944 to 1945....
in September 1944, and operated as an independent Battle Group from November 1944 until March 1945, when it was formally designated Fallschirmjäger Regiment (FJR) 24 and subordinated to the 8. Fallschirmjäger Division.
Commander
Commander Oberstleutnant Friedrich Hübner was the same officer who commanded the 2nd Fallschirmjäger Battalion, 5th Fallschirmjäger Regiment, in the Ramcke Parachute BrigadeRamcke Parachute Brigade
Fallschirmjäger-Brigade AfrikaFallschirmjäger-Brigade RamckeLuftwaffen-Jäger-Brigade 1The Fallschirmjäger-Brigade Ramcke was an elite German Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger Brigade which saw action in the Mediterranean Theatre during World War II.-History:Following the costly success of Operation...
, which fought against the 8th Army in North Africa. He continued service with the German Bundeswehr after the end of the war for several years.
Organisation
FJR Hübner was at full strength, and reportedly was able to deploy two field battalions. A third battalion was still under formation and was not ready for combat. Initially the third battalion was located at Sint Odiliënberg and Melick.Combat history
Roermond
Roermond is a city, a municipality, and a diocese in the southeastern part of the Netherlands.The city of Roermond is a historically important town, on the lower Roer at the east bank of the Meuse river. It received city rights in 1231...
to assist the 176th Infantry Division on the front along the Maas River. Both Hübner's and Müller's Kampfgruppen were used for training paratroops and were not yet numbered regiments, but rather carried the name of their commander. The correct unit names were “Fallschirmjäger Ersatz und Ausbildungs (paratrooper replacement and training) Regiment Hübner” and “Fallschirmjäger Ersatz Regiment Müller”.
Operation Blackcock
Operation Blackcock was the code name for the clearing of the Roer Triangle formed by the towns of Roermond, Sittard and Heinsberg. It was conducted by the 2nd British Army in January 1945 between 14 and 26 January 1945. The objective was to drive the German 15th Army back across the Rivers Rur and...
, January 19–21, 1945. The efforts of Hübner's men notwithstanding, the British closed in with support of flame-throwing tanks and seized St. Joost.
During Operation Blackcock
Operation Blackcock
Operation Blackcock was the code name for the clearing of the Roer Triangle formed by the towns of Roermond, Sittard and Heinsberg. It was conducted by the 2nd British Army in January 1945 between 14 and 26 January 1945. The objective was to drive the German 15th Army back across the Rivers Rur and...
, English-speaking Fallschirmjäger of FJR Hübner were organised into a special patrolling section. The forty hand-picked men of this section spoke excellent English and were selected to infiltrate through the allied lines and cause as much trouble as possible. On several occasions during the first half of February the commandos
British Commandos
The British Commandos were formed during the Second World War in June 1940, following a request from the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, for a force that could carry out raids against German-occupied Europe...
who were holding the line near Linne in the Roer Triangle, were surprised by nightly patrols of this special section.
In February 1945 Hübner’s Battle Group was designated Fallschirmjäger Regiment 24 (FJR 24) with the regiment still under the command of Oberstleutnant Hübner. In March 1945, FJR 24 was placed under command of Major Zander. As FJR 24, the regiment fought a delaying action in northwestern Germany, finally surrendering to British forces south of Bremen
Bremen
The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. A commercial and industrial city with a major port on the river Weser, Bremen is part of the Bremen-Oldenburg metropolitan area . Bremen is the second most populous city in North Germany and tenth in Germany.Bremen is...
in April 1945.
External sources
- Jason Pipes, http://www.feldgrau.com/FJR.htm#Hub
- http://www.operation-blackcock.com