Information

Living History Information

Started in 2005, SS FJ Living History Group portrays SS Fallschirmjäger Battalions 500 and 600. 

 has been formed by some of the most experienced UK Fallschirmjäger re-enactors, to display Living History at it's finest.

Although a small group, SS FJ. concentrates on Front Line impressions, which are most appealing to the public, researchers and hobbyists, interested in World War II History.  As part of our mission goal, we strive to create diverse and interesting scenarios, which are lived and "acted" in the spirit of the fighting Fallschirmjäger.  We not only display through the day, when the public are in attendance, but also remain under canvas on-site, throughout our entire display.

In essence, we, as a group continue to turn the clocks back, to the wartime years of 1939-1945, so that everyone seeing our display, can see Living History at its finest.

As part of Living History, we understand that we can never portray the real picture, with regard to troops in a war.  It goes without saying that most of our generation can never fully appreciate the sights, feelings and experiences of soldiers (of all nations), who have been in a combat situation. 

Although at present, our group is modest in size, we are easily approachable, and work as a team of friends.  Even though we have a rank structure in place, due to our front line impressions, rank does not feature highly in our scenarios.  In short, we are one body of men, working in co-operation to achieve one common aim - that is to keep history alive in an accurate and appealing medium.

We always strive to honour the men of the SS Fallschirmjäger, by wearing their uniform with pride, and conducting ourselves in a friendly and constructive manner.  In that way, we also hope that we honour the men (and women) of all nations, who may have contributed to their war's effort.

SS Fallschirmjäger 500 Batl History

SS Fallschirmjäger 500 Batl. was comprised of a mix of 50% volunteers and 50% Bewährung troops.  Contary to most misconceptions, Bewährungs (B-Class) troops were not Penal troops, but soldiers who had committed infringements on the draconian laws dictate by Heinrich Himmler and his SS Command.

Therefore, to put into perspective - the troops in 500 Batl, were indeed guilty of only small misdemeanours, such as being caught listening to the BBC broadcasts or falling asleep on duty.

Being categorised as B-Soldaten, soldiers who bore no rank were not entitled to wear SS runes (or previous unit markings) or cuff-titles.

The unit was raised in September 1943 in Mataruska Banja and trained at Fallschirmschule III, Serbia.

The training wing, comprising the Field Training & Replacement Company, which was held in reserve, and Fallschirmschule III transferred from Kraljevo to the Hungarian airborne base of Papa. On June 30th 1944, just 292 men were fit for duty. The battalion was scheduled for rest and refitting but had been moved to Gotenhafen on June 29th for the planned jump on Aaland after Finland's withdrawal from hostilities. The drop was cancelled and SS-FJ-Btl 500 was flown to Lithuania. They remained on the Eastern Front until October. Milius, who took over as CO on June 26th, said at the time the battalion was withdrawn, they were down to less than forty effectives, not counting the Field Training & Replacement Company, which had been posted to Neu-Strelitz as the cadre of the new SS-Fallschirmjäger-Btl 600. The fit survivors of SS-FJ-Btl 500 were with Skorzeny in Budapest on October 15th along with members of SS-FJ-Btl 600 for Operation Panzerfaust. After Panzerfaust, they joined SS-FJ-Btl 600 in Neu-Strelitz.

SS FJ 500 Operations

Yugoslavia

Albania

Operation Rosselsprung - Raid on Tito's HQ at Drvar, Yugoslavia - 15th May 1944

Petrovac area - Anti-partisan Operations

Lithuania

Courland

Memel

Budapest - March 1944

SS Fallschirmjäger 600 Batl History

SS Fallschirmjäger 500 Batl was dissolved in October 1944 and formed into SS Fallschirmjäger 600 on 9th November 1944 in Neu-Strelitz, their garrison town, as a standard unit (removing any bewährungs status).

It was placed under the adminstrative command of Skorzeny's Friedenthal organisation, becoming part of the SS-Jagdverbände. Two companies of SS-Fallschirmjäger-Btl 600 accompanied Skorzeny's Panzerbrigade 150 to the Ardennes and the battalion as a whole fought under Skorzeny's overall command for a time on the Oder Front in 1945.

At the Zehden bridghead they held their position for three weeks while on either flank the units retreated or were destroyed. On the 26th of March thirty six men ( all that was left of 800 ) swam across the Oder as the last outpost on the East bank. Heavily reinforced once again SS Para Battalion 600 was the only full strength unit among the forces flung together for the defence of Neuruppin. On one day in April, No 3 Company had stood to at dawn with a strength of 84 men at last light it was down to 30 men alive. During the day Soviet Gaurds Tank Divisions backed by Guards Rifle and Cavalry Divisions had attacked against this one company and it's thin line of defence. By 14.00 hrs all Panzerfaust/shreck weapons had been used and a Battalion of Russian Tanks had been destroyed, a further five assaults where flung back using only grenades and satchel charges. Before another assault could begin the order to withdraw was received and the 180 survivors made their way back to German lines.

The battalion was virtually wiped out three times in its eighteen month existence.
 

SS FJ 600 Operations

Operation Panzerfaust - Budapest - October 1944

Operation Greif  - Ardennes Offensive - December 1944

Oder Front - Schwedt and Zehden bridgeheads - February 1945

Recruiting

We are always interested in hearing from Living Historians who wish to join us, so should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us via the e-mail link below.

We are equally keen to work with like-minded groups, who may wish to compose a Kampfgruppe, or add elements of their units in co-operational displays.

Download our Starter Pack

(you can download Adobe Acrobat Reader from here)

Media/Researchers/Historians/Hobbyists

Some of the group have already worked on major media pieces, such as Saving Private Ryan, Discovery Channel documentaries, and we are always open to queries or activities which you may feel our unit could benefit yourself.  We currently have a sculpture piece in production (for hobbyists), and have also featured in the UK and Japanese media.

Should you have any queries, where we maybe able to assist, please contact us via e-mail:  SS Fallschirmjäger Batl. 500/600

Disclaimer: SS FJ. do not support, condone or accept any right-wing political views.  Our members are strictly vetted on their political stance, and non-compliance means instant dismissal from the unit.