Luftlandesturm Platoon

Crete was the first and only operation of the war that saw the deployment of the entire Luftlandesturmregiment, or Airlanding Assault Regiment.

Glider assault troops are equipped to deal with any eventuality and can be armed with heavy MG34 machine-guns and flame-throwers to support their high-risk mission.

Oberstleutnant Walter Koch
Born in Bonn, Walter Koch was 28 when given the task of forming a parachute assault detachment.

Koch’s group was responsible for spearheading the assault into Belgium to capture three bridges and the fortress of Eben Emael. The operation was a success and Koch was awarded the Knight’s Cross.

His next assignment would be another airborne mission, Operation Merkur, the invasion of Crete. Within minutes
of landing Koch received a serious head wound and had to be evacuated to Greece. He spent several months recovering before rejoining his battalion as they deployed to the Eastern front. Koch and his men would be involved in bitterly fought actions around Vyazma, Mius and Leningrad.

In early 1942, the newly promoted Oberstleutnant Koch returned to France to assume command of 5. Fallschirmjägerregiment. By November the regiment was being airlanded in Tunis and scrambling to hold off the Allied invasion of Tunisia. In fighting near Depienne, the Fallschirmjäger captured a number of British paratroopers. These prisoners, many of whom were wounded, were put into the custody of a Wehrmacht unit. When Koch learned of the Wehrmacht intentions to execute the
paratroopers in accordance with Hitler’s order regarding Allied commandos he returned and secured their safety.

Koch was again wounded at the beginning of 1943 and returned to Germany for treatment and recuperation. He died in Berlin on 27 October 1943 as a result of serious injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.