Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6 subordinated to Waffen-SS

17.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen in Normandy

The Lions of Carentan: Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6 in Normandy

Dressing station of the Fallschirmjäger airborne infantry around Carentan

Major baron Friedrich von der Heydte's elite Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6, equal in status to Waffen-SS units in recruiting, weaponry and training, were subordinated to the German-Latin 17.SS-Panzergrenadier-Division Götz von Berlichingen around Carentan. The battle-hardened German Paras, known as the Green Devils by Allied forces, fought ferociously during the Normandy Invasion. They were perhaps the best armed infantrymen in World War II and played a key role defending positions in Normandy against much larger forces. The main weakness of the Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6 was the same as all of the German regiments and divisions in Normandy – they simply lacked any real transport capability. The regiment was operating with 2.SS-Panzer-Division Das Reich when American forces launched Operation Cobra. U.S. Army General Ike Eisenhower said: The Waffen-SS armoured and airborne units had the highest morale, both in attack and defense, the troops fought with fanatic courage. Top clip: SS-Panzergrenadiers of the Götz von Berlichingen ride on a Sd.Kfz. 251 armored vehicle in Normandy in June 1944. In the center is the Austrian SS-Sturmbannführer Ludwig Kepplinger, commander of the SS-Panzer-Abteilung 17 of the division. Kepplinger was murdered by the French maquis southeast of Laval on August 6 1944. Footage from Die Deutsche Wochenschau. Fair use. Middle clip: frontline footage of a German paratrooper or Fallschirmjäger armed with a MP 40 often erroneously called Schmeisser by the Allies, Normandy in 1944. Bottom image: field dressing station shared between units of the Fallschirmjägerregiment 6 and the Götz von Berlichingen giving first aid in the area around Carentan in June 1944. Credit: Karl Mensburg. c. Bundesarchiv.