The 1st Parachute Division was originally formed in 1938, when it was designated as the 7th Air Division. It carried out airborne operations in the early stages of the war, including the successful capture of Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium. It later fought in the Battle of Crete but its heavy losses there saw Hitler refuse to consider using his troops in a significant airborne role again. It became the 1st Parachute Division in 1942, when it was reformed in Russia. The division existed as a fighting unit until the German surrender in Italy of 2 May 1945, one week before the end of World War II in Europe.