Download or read book Fallschirmjager written by Jon Sutherland and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2010-08-19 with total page 151 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A rare collection of personal photographs following Nazi Germany’s airborne soldiers on their missions through the Balkans, Crete, and Russia. The photos in this book are taken from an unpublished album that belonged to a member of the elite German Paratroopers. First Sgt Wilhelm Plieschen served with Fallschirmjager Machine Gun Battalion 7, which suffered very heavy losses in the invasion of Crete, then saw bloody conflict as Hitler’s “Fire-fighters” on the Russian Front and later put up fierce resistance in places such as Monte Casino. The revealing images that Jon Sutherland has compiled for us depict these struggles in dramatic detail, ranging from photographs taken en route to Crete of the paratroopers in a JU52 to 20 May 1941, when Plieschen was dropped over Crete. Some show other paratroopers drifting down and others feature formations of German aircraft amidst flak. Additionally, Sutherland has included amazing images depicting Germans on the deck of the badly damaged and abandoned HMS York in Souda Bay. There are photographs showing Major Erich Schulz decorating paratroopers on Crete and the then Commander of the Fallschirmjager, General Kurt Student, inspecting the troops. We later pay witness to Plieschen in Russia, where outstanding rare photos of paratroopers in heavy winter camouflage clothing portray the men enduring the heavy fighting that occurred in the region. “This intriguing book for the military historian consists of 125 contemporary photographs of the German Elite paratrooper regiment the Fallschirmjager during World War II.” —HistoryOfWar.org

Download or read book Fallschirmjager in Portrait written by Chris Mason and published by Schiffer Pub Limited. This book was released on 2008 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A little more than 30,000 men of the Wehrmacht and SS qualified to wear the famed Fallschirmschtzenabzeichen, or Paratrooper Badge, between 1936 and 1944. The badges they wore, and the images of the men who wore them, are avidly sought by collectors and historians around the world today. The authors have assembled over 300 indoor and outdoor posed portrait photographs of the Fallschirmjger for this volume, most never before published, providing a fascinating representation of the photographers art in World War II and a superb study of their uniforms, badges and insignia. In poses ranging from fierce to thoughtful and even poignant, the German paratroops of World War II are seen here in perfect focus, as they wanted to be seen, preserved in deliberate portraiture for posterity.

Download or read book German Paratroops written by Robert Kurtz and published by Schiffer Pub Limited. This book was released on 2000 with total page 197 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The uniforms and equipment of the elite German Fallschirmjger is the subject of this detailed, illustrated study. Authentic items smocks, dress tunics, boots, insignia, helmets, visor caps, gloves, knee pads and more are shown in superb color photos, in both multiple full-view, and detail shots. Unpublished World War II era photos show uniforms and equipment being worn on a variety of war fronts. Also included is a short chapter covering other Axis airborne including Italian and Japanese gear.

Download or read book Jump Into Hell written by Franz Kurowski and published by Stackpole Books. This book was released on 2010 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Action-adventure narrative about elite German airborne troops.

Download or read book Operation Fall Weiss written by Stephan Janzyk and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2017-08-30 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While the fledgling German paratroop operations in Belgium and the Netherlands in 1940, and on Crete in 1941, attracted worldwide attention, what is not as well known is that the use of paratroopers was planned for the invasion of Poland in 1939, in an act that began the Second World War. This has given rise to the myth that Adolf Hitler wanted to keep this new, and hitherto little-known, branch of the armed services secret for future projects.However, on several occasions the men of Parachute Regiment 1 were sat ready in their Ju52 transport planes, fully equipped and ready to go. 'Operation Fall Weiss' describes the role of the German paratroopers in the Polish campaign, using war diaries, maps, contemporary documents and photographs, including those from various private collections around the world.

Download or read book Fallschirmj ger written by Bruce Quarrie and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2012-07-20 with total page 149 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Few of the combatants of World War II have captured the imagination as compulsively as the Fallschirmjäger. Boldness and courage were vital characteristics in the rigorous selection process, and their training was highly demanding. Hitler's airborne troops were involved in some of the most daring actions of the whole war; from the 1940 assault on Eben Emael and the invasion of Crete in 1941, to the rescue of Mussolini and the attempt on Tito's life. In addition, they saw service as elite line infantry in the key theatres of North West Europe, North Africa and the Eastern Front. This title looks at the life and experiences of the average Fallschirmjäger, and includes first-hand accounts from different theatres and periods of the war.

Download or read book Fallschirmj ger German Paratroopers 1942 1945 written by François Cochet and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2019-01-30 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The second volume following the World War II exploits of the famed German parachute unit—from the battle of Crete to the surrender of the Third Reich. As elite troops, the German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) were regularly engaged in front line combat during the Second World War. Their famed actions such as the fighting in Scandinavia, the taking of the Belgian fortress Eden-Emal in May 1940, and the Battle for Crete just a year later, have given them the reputation of being determined, courageous and loyal soldiers. This book continues the pictorial history of the Fallschirmjäger, focusing on the period following the bloody Battle for Crete. Used as elite infantry, first in the USSR and then in Africa, the Fallschirmjäger were able to reconnect with their glorious past, whether in Italy or on the Greek Islands, as they jumped from their Ju 52s to engage the enemy. Their hard fighting in Italy helped to cement the legend of “the Green Devils,” with the British General Harold Alexander describing them as “tenacious, highly trained men, hardened by their many actions and combats.” However, during the fighting in Normandy, the Ardennes and on the Eastern Front, the number of veterans decreased, meaning it was the young German paratroopers who finally surrendered the Third Reich on 8 May 1945. “François Cochet’s two-volumes in the Images of War series are not only an excellent introduction to this force and its combat history in the war, but also much, much more.” —Avon Napoleonic Fellowship

Download or read book Hitler s Paratroopers in Normandy written by Gilberto Villahermosa and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 2019-08-30 with total page 448 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A retired U.S. Army Master Parachutist, strategist, and military historian analyzes the actions of one German special forces group during World War II. In June 1944, Allied forces fighting desperately to establish a foothold in Normandy and then breakout of the confining bocage found themselves opposed by a bewildering array of formations of the German Wehrmacht. Among them were the newly formed German II Parachute Corps. This gripping new account examines the exploits of Germany’s II Parachute Corps and its commander, Eugen Meindl, from the Allied invasion on June 6 to the end of August 1944. Meindl was the epitome of the senior German airborne commander in the Second World War. Tough, experienced, and aggressive, he cared deeply for his troops. His Parachute Corps fought stubbornly for three weeks, before being forced to fall back. Trapped along with the bulk of the German Seventh Army in the Falaise pocket, Meindl and his paratroopers maintained their discipline and were selected by the Commander in Chief of OB West to lead the German breakout to the east. That they managed to do so, despite suffering grievous losses, while so many around them died or surrendered, is a testament to their dedication and fighting ability. Theirs is a story that deserves to be told.

Download or read book Elite German Paratroops In World War II written by Jeanett Aschoff and published by . This book was released on 2021-04-21 with total page 124 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: WWII was the pinnacle of paratrooper action. The tactics and technology needed for paratrooper landings had been refined to a point where they could play a decisive role. The technology that would replace them, especially helicopters, was not yet a factor. Early in the war, the Germans executed the largest paratrooper landing in history, on the Greek Island of Crete. Although not flawless, it was a success. In December 1944, they launched their last paratroop drop, with very different results. Beginning with an examination of the origins of airborne forces in Germany and Europe during and after World war I, this book goes on to look at how the concept of airborne assault was developed by the Nazis during the 1930s, leading to the creation of the 7th Flieger Division. From the scorching sands of North Africa to the frozen steppe of western Russia, paratrooper units fought with courage and skill, but it was in Italy where their exploits passed into military legend as the 'Green Devils of Monte Cassino'. This book covers that battle and the long fighting withdrawal that followed, in scrupulous detail.

Download or read book Fallschirmj ger German Paratroopers 1937 1941 written by François Cochet and published by Casemate Publishers. This book was released on 2019-06-30 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “[An] excellent volume . . . The training and uniforms of this elite fighting force are well-covered, as are descriptions of the battles fought.” —Army Rumour Service As elite troops, the German Fallschirmjäger (paratroopers) were regularly engaged in front line combat during the Second World War. Their famed actions such as the fighting in Scandinavia, the taking of the Belgian fortress Eden-Emal in May 1940, and the Battle for Crete just a year later, have given them the reputation of being determined, courageous and loyal soldiers. This book covers the early years of the Fallschirmstruppen (paratroop units) before the beginning of the war, until the height of their successes in 1941, after which the Fallschirmjäger were more often deployed in a more “traditional” way, even though high-risk actions (such as at Monte Cassino, the Gran Sasso Raid) allowed them to reconnect once more with their glorious past. “The very popular Images of War series has established a format with a large number of rare photographs in each book and clear concise text supporting the photographic selection. This new addition follows the proven format to provide a graphic history and analysis of German paratroopers in WWII. Highly Recommended.” —Firetrench “Model figure hobbyists and diorama builders can find lots of visual inspirations for future projects.” —Toy Soldier & Model Figure

Download or read book German Paratroops in North Africa written by John E. Hodgin and published by Schiffer Publishing. This book was released on 2008 with total page 303 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This large-format book is an in-depth photographic study of Luftwaffe tropical uniforms, headgear, and insignia worn by the Fallschirmjäger during the battles for Africa in World War II. Both full-color and war-era photographs illustrate rare uniforms and equipment including tropical jump smocks, Ramcke Brigade jump helmets, and officer's "Meyer" caps. This book also provides the first accurate description of the design and development of WWII German jump smocks, each illustrated in large, full-color photographs.

Download or read book German Paratroops in Scandinavia written by Óscar González and published by Schiffer Military History. This book was released on 2009 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Details the well-trained and highly motivated force of the 1940 Fallschirmjäger, and their participation in Operation "Weserübung"--The codename for the Wehrmacht assault on Denmark and Norway.

Download or read book Hitler s Sky Warriors written by Christopher Ailsby and published by Pen and Sword Military. This book was released on 2017-10-30 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During the Second World War, the German Fallschirmjger (paratroopers) carried out many successful and daring operations, such as the capture of the Belgian fortress at Eben Emael in 1940 and the invasion of Crete in 1941. Hitler's Sky Warriors is a detailed examination of all the battles and campaigns of the Third Reich's airborne forces, illustrated throughout by many previously unpublished photographs. Hitler's Sky Warriors includes detailed accounts of all the ground campaigns of the parachute divisions, especially in Italy, where their epic defenses of Monte Cassino entered military legend. As well as being a comprehensive account of Fallschirmjger battles and campaigns, Hitler's Sky Warriors includes information on the specialist weapons and equipment developed for Germany's airborne forces. These include the paratrooper helmet, the FG 42 automatic rifle, the so-called 'gravity knife', the different jump smocks, parachutes and harnesses, transport aircraft and gliders. Hitler's Sky Warriors also contains biographical details on all the main parachute commanders, such as Kurt Student, Bernhard Herman Ramcke and Richard Heidrich, and includes appendices that contain information about divisional orders of battle and Knight's Cross winners. In this way Hitler's Sky Warriors builds into an extensive and exciting account of one of the elite formations of military history.

Download or read book Along the Neva written by Edgar Alcidi and published by Schiffer Pub Limited. This book was released on 2010 with total page 126 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents in words and images the first operational use of German paratroopers in the Russian campaign, and also the first time they served as conventional infantry. Focusing specifically on the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Fallschirmjäger Regiment, it describes the horrific weather, and unspeakable living and fighting conditions endured by these elite soldiers who were deployed in the trenches near the Neva River in northern Russia. Outnumbered in men and equipment, they fought bravely and with distinction, never faltering in their mission. Included with the operational history, are recollections and reminiscences of surviving veterans.

Download or read book Hunters from the Sky written by Charles Whiting and published by Cooper Square Publishers. This book was released on 2001 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Military historian Whiting examines the missions of the German Parachute Corps during World War II, and the impact they had on the paratroopers of other nations.

Download or read book Hitler s Paratrooper written by Gilberto Villahermosa and published by Frontline Books. This book was released on 2010-07-30 with total page 306 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rudolf Witzig entered the history books as the heroic captor of Belgiumês supposedly impregnable fortress Eben Emael in May 1940 _ the first time that glider-borne troops were used in the war. To many people, he is also known as the commander of the battle group that fired the first shots of the Tunisian campaign. Remarkably, next to nothing has been written about him as an individual. This biography, completed with the full support of Witzigês widow and son, is a comprehensive history of the man and also provides important new detail on the German parachute arm that he served. In the course of his service, he was awarded the coveted Knightês Cross of the Iron Cross. He could not be awarded the decoration because he had not yet earned the Ironês Crosses 2nd and 1st class _ to resolve the problem he was awarded all three on the spot. Witzig was involved in Operation Mercury, the invasion of Crete, but was injured during the fighting. After his recovery, he was sent to Tunisia where he was credited with several successful defensive actions. He ended the war in captivity, surrendering to the Allies on 8 May 1945, the day after his name was placed on the Honour Roll of the Luftwaffe. Rudolf Witzig was born on 14th August 1916 in Westphalia. His military career started in 1935 when he was accepted as an officerês candidate. He went on to win the Knightês Cross, which was awarded by Hitler personally. Witzig died on 3rd October 2001 at the age of 85. Gilberto Vilhermosa is a serving member of the US military in Yemen. This is his second book.

Download or read book Fallschirmj ger written by Branislav Radovic and published by Schiffer Pub Limited. This book was released on 2006 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: German Fallschirmjger as you've never seen before! Over 160 images from the files of the Bundesarchiv in Germany, the over-whelming majority shown for the first time in print since World War II. Printed mostly full page and showing details of various uniforms and equipment, helmets with various painted camouflage schemes, wire and covers. This book is a must have for any collector or historian.