Fallschirmjäger Regiment Hübner

Fallschirmjäger Regiment Hübner
German propaganda leaflet stating that paratroopers (KG Hübner and KG Müller) are holding a bridgehead west of the river Maas near Roermond. The Germans were driven off the westbank in November 1944.
Active	World War II August 1944 - March 1945
Country	Germany
Branch	Luftwaffe Ground Unit
Type	Parachute Rifle Regiment
Engagements	Battle for the Roer Triangle (Operation Blackcock) Battle for the Rhineland

Fallschirmjäger Regiment Hübner (or Kampfgruppe Hübner) was formed as a reserve unit in August 1944, attached to 7th Parachute Division in September 1944, and operated as an independent Battle Group from November 1944 until March 1945, when it was formally designated Fallschirmjäger Regiment (FJR) 24 and subordinated to the 8th Parachute Division.

FJR Hübner was at full strength, and reportedly was able to deploy two field battalions. A third battalion was still under formation and was not ready for combat. Initially the third battalion was located at Sint Odiliënberg and Melick. The unit's commander, Oberstleutnant Friedrich Hübner, was the same officer who commanded the 2nd Fallschirmjäger Battalion, 5th Fallschirmjäger Regiment, in the Ramcke Parachute Brigade, which fought against the 8th Army in North Africa. He continued service with the German Bundeswehr after the end of the war for several years.

In December 1944 both Kampfgruppe Hübner (at Regiment strength) and Kampfgruppe Müller (at Battalion strength) were sent to Roermond to assist the 176th Infantry Division on the front along the Maas River. Both Hübner's and Müller's Kampfgruppen were used for training paratroops and were not yet numbered regiments, but rather carried the name of their commander. The correct unit names were “Fallschirmjäger Ersatz und Ausbildungs (paratrooper replacement and training) Regiment Hübner” and “Fallschirmjäger Ersatz Regiment Müller”.

During January 1945 the regiment was assigned to the 15th Army, and positioned on the Maas River, protecting the northern flank of the XII SS Corps. Elements of FJR Hübner conducted a spirited defense of St. Joost while under attack from the British 7th Armoured Division during Operation Blackcock, January 19–21, 1945. The efforts of Hübner's men notwithstanding, the British closed in with support of flame-throwing tanks and seized St. Joost.