The Wehrmachts airborne forces earned recognition for their bravery and endurance not only from their German comrades but also from their former enemies. Drawing on meticulous and comprehensive researchincluding extensive unpublished documentary and personal materialsthe author traces the history of the airborne troops from their inception and early training to their deployments in Scandinavia, at the Albert Canal in Belgium, in the Netherlands, on the Greek mainland, and, of course, on Crete. The study analyzes the reasons behind the German airborne forces' remarkable successes during this period, as well as the conceptual weaknesses of their formation and the shortcomings in command and control during combat operations. The authorhimself a former Bundeswehr paratrooper and General Staff officeralso incorporates accounts from those who fought against the airborne troops; this has enabled him to correct numerous errors found in earlier works on the subject and provide a more complete account. The text is complemented by approximately 100 black-and-white photographs and more than 25 detailed color maps. It is a remarkably detailed study grounded firmly in documentary sources.
Author
Golla, Karl-Heinz
Title
The German Fallschirmtruppe 1936-41
Details
English text, paperback, 122 black-and-white and 14 color photos, 28 maps. 622 pages.
State
new
Subtitle
Its Genesis and Employment in the First Campaigns of the Wehrmacht
