Fallschirmjäger: German Paratroopers, 1937–1941

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