The Lions of Carentan: Fallschirmjager Regiment 6, 1943–1945

by Volker Griesser

Although it is known that Allied airborne forces landed into a German buzzsaw on D-Day, far less is known about the troops they encountered in the dark night of June 6, 1944. One of the formations they encountered was a similarly elite group of paratroopers, who instead of dropping from the skies fought on the defensive, giving their Allied counterparts a tremendous challenge in achieving their objectives.

This is the complete wartime history of one of the largest German paratrooper regiments, 6th Fallschirmjäger, from its initial formation in the spring of 1943 to its last day at the end of the war. With numerous firsthand accounts from key members, reporting on their experiences, they describe the events of 1943–45 vividly and without compromise.

These accounts reveal previously unknown details about important operations in Italy, Russia, on the Normandy Front, Belgium, Holland, the last German Parachute drop in the Ardennes, and the final battle to the end in Germany.

With over 220 original photographs, many from private collections and never before published, this book fully illustrates the men, their uniforms, equipment and weapons. Also included is an appendix with maps, battle calendar, staffing plans, a list of field and post-MOB-numbers, and the Knight's Cross recipients of the regiment. Having earned the respect of the Allied forces who fought against it during World War II, this work will inform current readers of the full record of Fallschirmjäger Regiment 6, and why the Allied advance into German-held Europe was so painstaking to achieve.

Genres: History, World War II, Nonfiction, Military History, War, Military Fiction, Germany

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 3, 2011

Reviews

[Dimitri · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first German Unit book. An enjoyable excursion. Facing the 101st, the mutual bravado of paratroopers shines through, as does a certain chivalry towards enemy wounded. How many ordinary Wehrmacht would cross a train station platform to distribute food to a train full of Jewish deportees while holding back SS guards at gunpoint?

['Aussie Rick' · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good account of the combat operations of the 6th Fallschirmjager Regiment, from its activation in 1943 to its surrender in 1945. We follow these ‘Green Devils’ from their first operation in Rome when Italy tried to surrender in 1943, then into the hard and heavy fighting in Russia back across to Europe to participate in the German efforts to repeal the Allied invasion in Normandy and then into Holland, the Eifel Region and then the Ardennes.

The book has some excellent, never seen-before photographs of these German paratroopers in action and lots of them. The one failing of this book, or I should say the publishers failing, is a substandard effort in editing. I came across numerous typos, spelling mistakes and badly translated sentences which spoilt the overall affect of this book and tarnished the great effort the author took to make this an exceptional book on these Fallschirmjager's.

Overall a great book and well worth the time to read and should be in every serious military library and I hope that the publishers take the time to edit the book in its next printing run and fix these very basic errors.

[William D McCrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been in a unit that fought the Fallshcirmjager in Normandy (many years later mind you), I have always had an interest in this particular regiment. The book is very interesting and has numerous pictures from private collections. The book also comments on the pictures as to the wear of the uniform and variations in equipment.

One thing I really appreciate is the lack of politics because the reality is, Soldiers don't make policy. The extent of politics in the book is that of the higher echelons of the military. My primary complaint is that the book was poorly editted and it is riddled with grammatical errors. Perhaps later editions will address this but overall a very interesting book.

[Peter Djerv · Rating 1 out of 5]

A tribute work - which really avoids the dark sides of the regiment.

Difficult to read if you don't know the campaigns well - because nothing on a strategic level is explained. It is also difficult to keep track of the individual soldiers mentioned. We never get their fates explained and they rarely return after long quotes (descriptions of e.g. a battle).

Avoid.

[Thiago S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bad edition/translation, confuse to read. Couldnt bother finishing it.The storytelling is a bit dry too. Only deserved the third star because has great photos.

[Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelous primary sources and episodes. The editing is a bit ragged, but the stories are so engaging.

[Darren Hinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has a lot of useful information 👍

[Syukran · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional unit history on Fallschirmjager Regiment 6. It is a superbly detailed book on the unit's history, organisation, destruction and also reunion. One would assume a book in regards to a unit's history would be quite arbitrary and dry, however, it is not the case here. It draws information and stories from the men who actually fought from Italy, the Eastern Front and the Western Front. An engaging book filled with stories and vivid descriptions of their countless engagements made me hooked. You actually see from the German's point of view, the creeping sense of hopelessness, the emotions, planning and management of the FJR 6 in delaying the advance with an elastic defences and was actually one of the, if not only, combat effective units which were repeatedly thrown in areas in critical threat to stem the tide. However, the repeated battering they kept getting without reinforcements, FJR 6 was bound to be bled to death.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to get this book, I mean come on, who doesn't love paratroopers. I found the history of the 6th Regiment quite interesting, from their inaugural action in Rome deposing the Italian government, to Russia, and then finally Normandy and the race to the Rhine. Loads of pictures so a great resource there. Maps are terrible as usual, action reports were decent, but could have been better. Kind of rah rah for the Germans, but a German dude wrote it so that's to be expected. Overall above average, one that will stay in the library.

[William Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical read.

A great historical book on FJR6 TO INCLUDE both veteran remembrance as well as photos throughout the life of FJR6.