The 3rd ''Luftwaffe'' Field Division () was an infantry division of the

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

branch of the

Wehrmacht The ''Wehrmacht'' (, ) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the German Army (1935–1945), ''Heer'' (army), the ''Kriegsmarine'' (navy) and the ''Luftwaffe'' (air force). The designation "''Wehrmac ...

that fought in World War II. It was formed using surplus ground crew of the ''Luftwaffe'' and served on the Eastern Front from late 1942 to early 1944 at which time it was disbanded.

Operational history

The 3rd ''Luftwaffe'' Field Division, one of several such divisions of the ''Luftwaffe'', was formed in mid-1942 in Gross-Born Troop Maneuver Area, under the command of ''

Generalmajor is the Germanic languages, Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central Europe, Central and Northern European countries. Austria Belgium Denmark is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and R ...

'' Robert Pistorious. Intended to serve as infantry, its personnel were largely drawn from surplus ''Luftwaffe'' (German Air Force) ground crew. Towards the end of 1942, the division was assigned to

Army Group Centre Army Group Centre () was the name of two distinct strategic German Army Groups that fought on the Eastern Front in World War II. The first Army Group Centre was created during the planning of Operation Barbarossa, Germany's invasion of the So ...

on the Eastern Front and fought in engagements at Nevel from November 1942 to October 1943. Responsibility for the division was transferred to the

Army An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...

on 1 November 1943 and designated 3rd Field Division (L). Later that month, it participated in actions at Vitebsk against the Soviet Army and remained on the front lines until January 1944. Shortly afterwards, after suffering heavy losses in the fighting at Vitebsk, the division was disbanded. Surviving personnel were absorbed by the

4th Fourth or the fourth may refer to: * the ordinal form of the number 4 * ''Fourth'' (album), by Soft Machine, 1971 * Fourth (angle), an ancient astronomical subdivision * Fourth (music), a musical interval * ''The Fourth'', a 1972 Soviet drama ...

and 6th ''Luftwaffe'' Field Divisions.

Commanders

*''Generalmajor'' Robert Pistorius (Sep 1942 – Jan 1944).

Notes

Footnotes Citations

References

* * {{DISPLAYTITLE:3rd ''Luftwaffe'' Field Division Luftwaffe Field Divisions Military units and formations established in 1942 Military units and formations disestablished in 1944 1942 establishments in Germany 1944 disestablishments in Germany