Like every other major power during World War II, Germany deployed specially trained elite units-special forces-for specific roles or missions. In this remarkably illustrated volume, two such units are analysed in great detail: the 5th Gebirgsjager Division, Hitler's mountain warfare specialists, and the Brandenburgers, the Third Reich's Special Forces.
The 5th Gebirgsjager Division was formed in autumn 1940 and spent the first few months training in the Bavarian Alps. It first saw action in the Balkans, where it played a prominent role in the smashing of the Metaxas defence lines and the defeat of the Greek and Commonwealth forces. It was chosen as the air-landing component of XI Airborne Corps for Operation Merkur-the attack on Crete-remaining on the island as an occupation force until it was sent to the Leningrad front in March 1942. In December 1943 the division was transferred to Italy and distinguished itself many times during the battles for the Gustav and Gothic defence lines. The 5th Gebirgsjager was the last mountain division to fight in high Alpine terrain during the attack on Roc Belleface. It marched into American captivity just north of Turin.
Special forces were essential components of Blitzkrieg. In the early war years the Brandenburgers performed this role-highly trained commandos under the control of the Abwehr, Germany's intelligence service. They were tasked with capturing key strategic points by whatever means necessary-sometimes using the enemy's uniforms. They saw action from the start of the Polish campaign and went on to take part in operations in Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, the Balkans, Russia, Africa, and the Aegean. Formed into the Brandenburg Division in September 1944 as a result of politics between the Abwehr and the SS, many members joined Otto Skorzeny's Waffen-SS unit, which took over the Brandenburgers'special duties and whose history is also covered in this book.
- ISBN10 1905573898
- ISBN13 9781905573899
- Publish Date 1 July 2008
- Publish Status Transferred
- Out of Print 4 August 2008
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Compendium Publishing
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 192
- Language English