The Ramcke Parachute Brigade was a

Luftwaffe The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German ''Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabtei ...

paratroop (''Fallschirmjäger'') brigade which saw action in the Mediterranean Theatre during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

Operational history

The brigade was formed in 1942 and sent to join the

Afrika Korps The Afrika Korps or German Africa Corps (, }; DAK) was the German expeditionary force in Africa during the North African Campaign of World War II. First sent as a holding force to shore up the Italian defense of its African colonies, the ...

North Africa North Africa, or Northern Africa is a region encompassing the northern portion of the African continent. There is no singularly accepted scope for the region, and it is sometimes defined as stretching from the Atlantic shores of Mauritania in ...

. Ramcke's unit fought during the Afrika Korps's assault towards the Suez Canal, fighting alongside the

Italian 25 Infantry Division Bologna Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

before British opposition solidified near the town of El Alamein. The British action resulted in the separation of the Brigade from German forces, and, lacking motorized transport, unable to move as fast as the battle lines. Taking heavy losses (about 450) fighting surrounded on all sides, they captured a British supply convoy carrying food and fuel, about which Ramcke later remarked the most welcome surprise was the tobacco and luxury goods. Using those trucks, about 600 survivors returned to German lines. The brigade was then engaged in the retreat into Tunisia. Ramcke was transferred back to Germany where he was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross, and command passed to Major Hans Kroh. The remaining brigade was part of the capitulation of

German Panzer Army Afrika As the number of German troops committed to the North African Campaign of World War II grew from the initial commitment of a small corps, the Germans developed a more elaborate command structure and placed the enlarged ''Afrika Korps'', with I ...

in May 1943.

Organization

Structure of the division in October of 1942: * Headquarters under Generalmajor

Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke Hermann-Bernhard Ramcke (24 January 1889 – 4 July 1968) was a German general of paratroop forces during World War II. He led units in Crete, North Africa, Italy, the Soviet Union and France, and was captured by American forces at the concl ...

** 1st Battalion, 2nd Parachute Regiment ** 1st Battalion, 3rd Parachute Regiment ** 2nd Battalion, 5th Parachute Regiment ** 4th Parachute Training Battalion ** 2nd Battalion, 7th Parachute Artillery Regiment ** A Company, 7th Tank Destroyer Battalion ** 2nd Company, Parachute Pioneer Battalion ** A Parachute Signal Platoon ** A Medical Company

Commanders

* ''Generalleutnant (later General der Fallschirmtruppen)''

(1 April 1942 - 18 November 1942) * ''Oberstleutnant'' Hans Kroh (18 November 1942 - 18 February 1943)

References

{{Reflist German units in Africa Airborne units and formations of Germany Military units and formations of the Luftwaffe Parachuting in Germany Military units and formations established in 1942 Military units and formations disestablished in 1943