German Paratroopers The Illustrated History of the Fallschirmjager in WWII

 

The idea of using the newly available transport aircraft of the 1930s to deliver surprise assaults by small bodies of shock-troops was vigorously developed by the German armed forces in the late 1930s as a part of the blitzkrieg concept. It proved highly successful during the campaign which led to the fall of France in 1940, when paratroops and glider-born forces achieved a number of dramatic victories, including the spectacular capture of the frontier fortress of Eben Emael.

 

The Fallschirmjager went on to further triumphs, of which the most significant was the airborne invasion and capture of Crete; in the latter stages of the war they also pulled off spectacular coups at Monte Rotondo and Gran Sasso, where they rescued Mussolini after the Italian surrender. But as an elite force, valued for their determination, ferocity and willingness to accept high casualties, the Fallschirmjager were frequently deployed in the infantry role in North Africa, Italy and on the Eastern front as well as in north-west Europe following the D-Day invasion.

 

The photographs in this book, many previously unpublished, come from newly opened archives in Eastern Europe, and are accompanied by an authoritative text describing the origins and development of the Wehrmacht's airborne forces as well as their involvement in many campaigns from the victories of 1940 right through to the final defence of the Reich in spring 1945.

 

Chris McNab

Hardcover large format with d/w 176pp Aurum Press 2000 1st Ed

 

Fine/Fine

Book Code:  SH2306