  
Ramcke Brigade
Luftwaffenjäger-Brigade 1 or Fallschirmjäger-Ramcke Brigade
This is what is called a "White Paper" or topical synopsis that highlights events to hopefully get more interested readers involved... As a sort of prequel, I helped with reproduction of his reworked 1940-1954 personal biography materials (first printed in 1958) of v.d. Heydte and his Battalion command (I./FJR 3) during operations in Crete... the book is called, "Daedalus Returned" and an initial 1000 copy, limited edition, "English" language printing was made in 2003 by Aberdeen Books. "Nacht"
I have had access to personal papers, notes, and pictures for several segments of the 'incorporation and development' of the Luftwaffenjager-Brigade 1 known by its most common name today, as the Fallschirmjäger-Ramcke Brigade. This is both from the viewpoint of pictures and story... to hopefully, clarify some misunderstandings and to also add photographic evidence to unit identification about sub-elements of what we will call the... Ramcke Brigade.
The Prequel: Burckhardt
The initial paratroop elements engaged in North Africa was under the command of Major Burckhardt; a distinguished commander in "Operation Mercury" (invasion of Crete) of II./FJR I. After this campaign he was sent to Berlin-Doberitz to assist in the re-manning and training of Fallschirmjager forces at Lehr Bataillon XI. Fleigerkorps.
Major Burckhardt was sent from his duties at Fallschirmjager Lehr (Training) Battalion XI. Fleigerkorps to take the elements of "Kampfgruppe Burckhardt" during the period 7-9 January, 1942 from Tapani Airfield in Ju-52 shuttle flights to St-Benito about 23km south of Tripoli in North Africa. The initial intent was for preparatory work and training of 'specialized' paratroops for the initially OKH planned invasion of Malta in the late spring of 1942. He in fact met with Rommel himself (I have four or five photos of these meetings) during late January. Rommel's Panzergruppe Afrika became Panzerarmee on the 21st of this month and he wanted all available forces committed for his planned counteroffensive in which his army drove the British 8th Army back to Cyrenaica.
"Kampfgruppe Burckhardt" at departure from Germany was enrolled from 3./Panzerjäger Abt .7 and comprised four Fallschirmjäger companies with support of one anti-tank, one engineer squad and one artillery squad which at departure was a total of 614 men. These soldiers distinguished themselves in the field and fought over the course of the next three months, until 31/3/42 and the remainder of their forces withdrawn back to Germany with their honor as the first paratroopers in North Africa. Major Burckhardt continued his efforts in North Africa with reluctance to see his men go!
Reversal of fortune of Rommel's Panzerarmee up to the pullout of forces from Bir Hakeim and Tobruk on July 7 of both... heeded that a call was needed for additional support and strength... now enters the 'official name' of this nearly 4000 combined man unit...
Luftwaffenjager-Brigade 1
First a compiled basic unit Organization Chart...
Here are the basics of the four Battalions and their insignia... it appears that the use of the Black or Red Dräche or 'Kite' and Black or Red 'R' (for Ramcke) have some particular significance in the demarcation of companies within the individual battalions. Also, the use of the stencil and or the kite having hash marks may have significance in demarcation of the company as well.
The basic battalion 'logos'...
Basic Insignia variants for the 'Kite':
   
   
Alternate "All Red" form seen on "Private Collection" photos from initial setup of Burckhardt incorporation in Ramcke Brigade...
'R' Forms...
   
The Battalion 'Initial Identifier' has been seen on most of these insignia... but not all... there are some examples where the Initial Identifier has even been 'over painted' and I have provided an example.
Kampfgruppe Burckhardt
Insignia for unit:
    
Notice that this Kubel has a Black Kite and Red R!!!
 
Kampfgruppe Kroh (subsequently Schwaiger)
Insignia of I. Battalion:
  
The Guide's machine pistol?
 or ?
Looks more like the Beretta M1938A... but did not know about possibly the MP28...
Kampfgruppe van der Heydte
Insignia of 2.Battalion:
    
Notice the FJR Komet on Driver Fender...
The "Oddball" set of markings... Overpaints...
 
Kampfgruppe Hubner
Insignia of 3.Battalion:
 
The third emblem variant was changed because of confusion with v.d. Heydte's II vehicle s having the kite with vdH and Hasedner's Panzerjäger which had support vehicles using the H which adopted this Dräche or 'kite' emblem as background element as well...
This is Hubner's Motorcycle company at the Headquarters of 501 schwere Panzer... yes the Tigers of 501! More about that later...
Working alongside II. Kompanie of Oblt. Tietjen's Paratroop Engineers... from the 4.Kompanie/Korp-Fallschirmjager Pioneer Bataillon commanded by Hauptman Witzig as an element were also attached to the Ramcke Brigade in July of 42. This unlucky combined element of pioneers & engineers were tasked with moving the corpses of their fellow brigade members... from battalions...Hubner, Burckhardt, and v.d. Heydte!
4./Korps-Falls. Pioneer Btl. commanded by Witzig would be placed with FJR5 commanded by Oberst Koch.
Ist led by Hauptman Jungworth and the IIIrd by Hauptman Knoche.
Remember that the IInd Bataillon of the FJR5 operating as III./Luftwaffenjager Brigade 1 or Kampfgruppe Hubner had been already assigned to the Ramcke Brigade in July of 42 like Witzig's battle group of Engineers/Pioneers.
I./FJR 5 landed at La Marsa Airport on 15 November, 1942 to give everyone a time frame of events... the other members of the Ramcke Brigade were leaving the El Alamein sector after Rommel refused Hitler's "Do Not Move an Inch" order of November 2-3,... on the 4th the Ramcke Brigade with little or no transport started walking west toward Tunisia!
This is how you see in Tunisia... all types of units being combined... as the men and materials were depleted... or removed!
Witzig and guide were the only survivors of the glider raid in late December incursion into Algeria to knock out two bridges in an effort to slow down advancing forces.
Ramcke Stab (Note the "B") Sd.Kfz.2 Kettenkraftrad
From Pittaway
A shared collection of photos from "PROP"
A color review of a restored Ramcke BMW solo...
| 
Link-IT, LLC Copyright© 2008, 