Since starting on the World War II TO&E in the October revision of the website, I have received not a few offers to help in expanding the source material on this page. This page comes to us courtesy of Panzerfaust, who profiles the German Fallschirmjager. I have included the platoon organization tables at the end of the page to give a "base unit" which can be built up to suit any particular scenario. Any errors in those tables are mine, not Panzerfaust's.

 

German WWII Fallschirmjager (1940-1945)

Table of Organization & Equipment:

By Panzerfaust

The Fallschirmjaeger are the easiest to start with.All were technically elite even in 44 when more than 160,000 were active.The training even without actual combat jumps was sufficient to create a light infantry force only matched by the Allied elite (Commandos,SAS,some Russian specials etc ,not regular airborne or even rangers of the day) Indeed as demonstrated at Casino they made the ideal defenders in the face of allied doctrine.

A typical rifle company would consist of an HQ unit of 1 officer and 35 enlisted and 3 rifle platoons of 1 officer and 38 enlisted divided into 3 squads of 12-13 men (on paper of course)The Platoon ideally was a mix of about 16 rifles(by 44 a mixture of FG42s and MP44/MP43 with a number of Gewehr 33/40 for sniper work),9 MP-40s(officers and senior NCOs),and 6 machine guns (double the number in regular infantry squads).The machine guns were most often the MG34 as the MG42, while slowly supplanting it, was judged less desirable due to its increased weight and difficulty deploying.Also most Paras carried a pistol when possible.A throw back to the early days in Holland and Crete where these were the only weapons carried in the jump,with the rest in containers).

Usually a number of special weapons were issued or just plain scavenged in the fighting to increase the firepower of the unit.These range from picked up ATK rifles which proved their value even in nonarmored fighting on the eastern front (Russians loved their rifles and partially pioneered their use as AMRs over ATK as well as sniper work) to light mortars(5cm leichter granatenwerfre 36) and Panzerfausts/Schrecks.

The Schreck proved its value in Northern Europe especially in hedgerow fighting and usually was found 1 per squad with limited rounds due to the supply state. The 'fausts were usually kept in their sealed containers till needed just prior to use. They had to be armed ahead of time. You might find anywhere from 6-8 in a well supplied squad.

The Jaegers also had more access to specialist weaponry such as the Shaped Charges and Flamethrowers (Eintoss Flammenwerfer) making them very unpredictable opponents.

As to experience levels they were various (some fought through Holland,Crete (a lifetime on its own), the east and west till the end) But none realistically can be judged as green.Line would seem the lowest ranking due to their training and comradeship which was superior to the SS in all honesty.

The allies could always tell when they were fighting units such as the Fallschirm by their non-M1935 helmets,jump boots, and special Combat jumpsuit/camoflaged smocks.This was appreciated by the Germans who enjoyed the distinction ,unlike the Luftwaffe field divisions whose blue uniforms made them stand out more than the WW1 french pantalon rouge to the enemy who knew their weakness. Also it was quite common even in '44-45 for platoon sized units to air drop at key points either behind enemy lines or in the line of advance. Nothing the scope of Arnhem but truly incredible all things considered.

 

Platoon Headquarters	#	Weapon FP Value	Total FP Value	Morale Grade
				Elite
Platoon Commander (MP40)	1	2	2
Riflemen (MP 40)	2	2	4
Total	3		6

Including 3 Infantry Squads/Groups:

 

Infantry Squad/Group	#	Weapon FP Value	Total FP Value	Morale Grade
Squad Leader (MP 40)	1	2	2	Elite
Squad 2IC (MP 40)	1	2	2
Sniper (Gew 33/40)	2	2	4
Machine Gunners (MG34)	2	13	26
Riflemen (FG 42)	5	5	25
Panzerschreck (FG 42)	1	21/5	21/5
Total	12		80/64