Luftsturmregiment 40

The Luftsturmregiment 40 (LStR-40) "Willi Sänger" (English: Air Assault Regiment 40) was a unit of the German Democratic Republic's National People's Army. It was formed in 1986 by expanding the existing Parachute Battalion 40 (de: Fallschirmjägerbataillon 40) ) with additional air assault companies and support capability. It was directly subordinate to the Land Forces Command (Kommando Landstreitkraefte) of the East German Army.

Although initially formed based on the parachute battalion, this unit had a different mission and organization. The Air Assault Regiment 40 came about as the result of a change in Soviet tactics based on their recent experience in Afghanistan. These tactics emphasized the more mobile warfare afforded by the use of helicopter air assault operations.

Until its dissolution in 1991, this unit was stationed in the vicinity of the military training area on Lehnin near Potsdam, Germany. On 3 October 1990, the 40th Air Assault Regiment was taken over by the West German Bundeswehr. On March 31, 1991, 40th Air Assault Regiment was disbanded by the German Federal Armed Forces Command East.

The Air Assault Regiment 40 never saw combat or deployment outside East Germany, except for Warsaw Pact training exercises. The events leading up to the Fall of the Wall saw the only "real" use of the Regiment. The East German leadership saw this unit as particularly politically reliable. As a result of the Monday demonstrations in Leipzig in November 1989, the Air Assault Regiment 40 and other selected units were prepared to be deployed to the city. A few days before the announced Monday demonstration, several hundred members of Luftsturmregiment 40 were sent to Leipzig, and housed in local military barracks. This was done at night and under the strictest secrecy. The unit was to be used to assist the police and special units of the of Stasi Department XXII (Counterterrorism) to suppress the popular resistance. However the order to use this unit was never issued.

Sources / references

 * Karl-Heinz Dissberger u. a.: Vom Himmel auf die Erde ins Gefecht. Fallschirmjäger der Nationalen Volksarmee. 2nd Edition. Kabinett Verlag, Zürich u. a. 1999, ISBN 3-906572-15-3.