The 3rd ''Luftwaffe'' Field Division (german: links=no, 3.Luftwaffen-Feld-Division) was an infantry division of the

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 ...

branch of the

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

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'' 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 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 (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...

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 and 6th ''Luftwaffe'' Field Divisions.

Commanders

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

Notes

Footnotes Citations

References

* * {{Use dmy dates, date=June 2017 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