WORLD WAR II PARATROOPERS IN COMBAT

EDITOR JULIE GUARD.

WORLD WAR II PARATROOPERS IN COMBAT

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WORLD WAR II PARATROOPERS IN COMBAT

EDITOR JULIE GUARD

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CONTENTS
J n troduct ion: Ai rbome warfa re Tac tl C50 by Gordml L. Roam"'l
Part I; G erma n Airborne 1;0rces

Fal tsc h ~rru jaS,er by Brure' Qnarrit Crete 1941 by PerN D. A,UiII
Part [I: US Airborne Forces

48 76

US Paratrooper by Car! S"'irl'

D -Day 1944 by Steven

f. ZoiOS"

lJO
170

part Hl: Bnttsh Airborne Forces

British Paratroopers by Tim j\1oremml Arnhem Conclusion Bibliography Index 1944

~r Step)'."

Bod"y

218 248 294 296 298

by Gonto» L. Rottmmr and further Reading

INTRODUCTION: AIRBORNE WARFARE TACTICS

GOrdOIl L, RDttJII(1I! \>VQr~d ar II W cilp:lbility rtew mud] enabll'
'Ii,a" ....

the tntroducuon the enemy's

of a new 11U!'.2iru werterc, pr(wldlrJit an army With the or 'vertical

V(iJ

to ~xplo'l (If warfare.

flank'.

Large combat

units

could

be Inserted
A;5

behll'n~h."fletHY lin{'\ ln a short nmc

parachute. 8hd'e:r .IHld transport alKran,

successes. UJhe Intrt'}{hJet'd [htuughtlu1 ~ envelopme manner by ru,

\'Il'iUi. eny
W2Ir •

rt:! rm

fhen- were frng.lc n,t~rnl-':e!ias \'l'ell as resounding

Th ere was

to learn, ~Ild new capi3bilj!IC'~ contlnuro

t he

the

.J.hbomlr operatlcns cffer u number of advanti:Jg~ to the .ilrmy 'l:mp!o}lin~them. 'nll:~1 a Il~,clutr 10 cal'l1) uut protected over these rtvcrs, mlsslnns flanks,
,jJ

V~ ruea

b~'Pt~!)'S1 the hon, n~

forces cannot ground

n ne

or

po:5.itions. wtth by 'bounding' ilcr:omp'l~h

In the same supported

'to

h..: can surmount Airborneconvenuonel

major obstacles ftlw.l:!-';§, a FOrTi'; lml ~S!=!iult

mountarns unless
(iii

.a.ad even oceans.

0

Supporting alrborne opcratlcn

.urbome provlding the enem,"s pcstuonlng service
J'I.

n reduee U1~stze of the l'u:.-:<:e.$.iJ;fY ground

reduce Ih~ r~l~t~n~ [rom withjn It will encounter. th'l: depth for

forte,
acne.

an~ dIMr,')C! Tnt! tI~f{'ndN_{ enough I;~~t]on:.. can ~ exu'ji:l,"Iird.in.tH~l s~

[J.undll:d man)'

[If Lh.: ;;I.ltil~['~

and Offenng opportuntnes

50

~llrntue nUj"tck'i throtJ,gttoul

and scenarios for alrbome

rear areas," There are ot reserves.

pcsalble

oblet'1::~~

ettaess Ihal no -defender cart effccnvcty

atr defences, Ofg;Jn!.t:.Jllofl5

rcresmu them ali. An assessrnem

anrt-errbome rborne real:'tion forces,

or th~ ellemy's
Opll110S
~2!

end .c:Uspe'1"S31 rem of

,i1od hrndqU.:lr:U21'S pro\fldC~

AI

Ihe £IirOOI'"llC" rnrcc \',.·Irh numerous

UI] It!;

tu countur th ~ U'I'iC!'li'ly':'I; c.JII!'f{![l!l..i VI.!' pla ns. relnfoI1:"Q.nl1l'J'lS, whether truck transport. "L;'ffC"l.:tsof The psychologl('"JI patactLuu.-d road·,bound

can ~""llIJPUTtt he att-.dIcoky (h"ptD}'1 b ng

or

atr-tanded,

Wil'hOlJl .l~(' need for slow

betn srnall

or be

ctetornc opernucns,
comiJderiltJull

end larger ~I')not

-D

dJ.Kmm red. At ill' Jc\'els of commend commanders and troops ultke.

m ust be gjven to th e airborn e !hrea t

Ilnij measu res 10 tOu n I,(! i~, r The menecc or ai rbem e rald('cs Or
gesources are expended on

full in ~r,UiO aff-cxu n

for rear area

defe-n.~~

INlRO'DUCHQN:

,IIRBOIINI; Wi\lIFARE TACTIC,

(iJ.,m'1111~rdUoof"l

.rim'lns 'he- Jl1m:,-nm IG~ur_j.rrJ~,~J

hurd uf Cn'lr-.

AIRBORNE

General Ow/gilt D, Eis{!nlr()wer,

Supreme Commander Expeditionary Allied Forces, \risits

installations, reaction units under Sicily soldiers guns, scattering the they operations and under limited

units are assigned direct assault from

to secure possible the sea or land.

a-irborne objectives, One of the

and counter-airborne to back front-line against The night groups airborne drops in in small elements of airborne This rear

forces are deployed. is the possibility tactical Normandy initially a greater assault were; they has often were

These all detract that airborne characterized

:from the reserves

available arguments scattered small

paratroopers of tile us 101st Airbome Division ol Gremham Cammon airfield iust IW!lr5 before their take.-off on tile night of 5 Ivne 1944tne el'e of D-Day.

forces may be widely by wide most missions scattering; and than

control;

but this can just as often

be a benefit.

collected and while created

together

from different units and marched towards. the sound of the

disorganized, problem came them felt that objectives were achieved. Their from strength for the Germans networks that they - and. reports the airborne were under alerts had been anticipated. at the most critical landings were in greater everywhere. establishment and elsewhere asset, but they diversionary objectives

service and command amphibious actually dispersed paratroopers defences; of Japanese Obviously, defensively. raids behind number in the enemy

and control

were disrupted. landings attack and tile

time - when widely than of

ashore

of paratro-op

areas persuaded

The mere threat of unnecessary in response

led. to extended in the Philippines, who never forces ate primarily cut-off

this occurred paratroopers airborne enemy's lines. despite

Hawaii, Burma an offensive units,

to fears

materialized. can also be used and harassing immed.iately ground conduct

They can reinforce: rear, and their great

aid counter-attacks versatility,

by attacking operations

However,

for airborne

to achieve

success a
to a

of requirements

have to be mer. The airborne

force has to be highly trained,

I"TRODUCTIO~:

,\IRnOR'-:E

WARFARE TACTICS

that 01 the usual conscripted uoops, Tho)" h.". 10 be well equipped .• nd led c-umpetent. ~ggftssive leaders. Planning requires much tjme-coruumlng work, and a ~,;n deal of irltelltge-nce- on enemy tortes and eapabiliti-es obiecti\r~s. rcrrain ano weather. lhe attacker's elr force has-to be able to achtcvcat least toral alr su pc rlo:rH-Y1ot [ust for the n delh"c-ry of the airborne terce bur (or some days. atrerwams. pmvld1ng erose afr support. IO"cll>c),ond b~'
l

rt~IJPply mregrated

and into

rcrnfcrcement. rne plan.

Ahlih

CT~'W~

have night

to be highly

trained,

dtsctpllned

and be

The v"lIdit~·

or

or ,cl1!IY drops and al:r~lilnd~ngs.

murr

realbti(ally appraised nne the compltcanons of the fC'.!Tmcr constdcred. Favourable weatner 1mJ terra In oond' rlons a' reo crt rica 1, as il re the r~lat'lons.hi pSi and di sra nces between d rap z(]J~.csJand ing zones (DZ/LZ) and th eooblecti ves. I
4

Designation of airborne Iorcas

Ulfferem tcrces. countries, u:;OO dHfe~fLt deslgnattons [or the various categories. of atrborne

'A trborn c· nsei r 150 generally .1 n urn brei] a term for ,111categnnes of grou n d rorces d,I;"CT<:<l by .1 r. JO the United St.[H~~Army l;1Ilrborncr W.ilS.!l conecuve rerm for atr-denvcred forces as well

as

identifying
till!

&i

ccrtnln

cntegory

of troops.

The airborne

dtvtsten

contained and

'parachute',

'gl i cler" a nd tra'lled unt ts assigned

rborn c' u nl ts. The Ii rsr two we re rcsetctcd parachute or gllder delivery. Units designated part these to ai rbom e di ,Iisiun:." For l he most

ro in fa nrry

for either

fi eld a nil lery 'airborne' included all other

and servic-e btHtaHoll

com bat support

sup port uruts were deli vera ble by gl.i.der an d tra nsport aircraft, Some corn pc nent e! ernents
I1Ilgh! be p'a.rachute-tcain-ed, e.g. One Or twO companies in the -l:itrWrne engine-er

G,rnmm f{iU~JrjtmiitU(
[ffi.'Jh.lfj!

p~ d ~jt,> jltrlJP: dJ'1-' rialto m~ 1Wfif ji.P!t':s ~l{.IlL't'd (PI1 rhL"ir pm·f,:'~1IjWJ f/J~ -fflrly jWliP ..'>J'lItplh ln ~1'r("tmJ'{,}Jjfl~ (Imh 3rn!Pi_ mm'

n~ U:J;!!' fJ( um'it'lml

d«trrS

1)11

rIle MI9J.8I~mfl plVlmWy d.(jt~J lJrf5 pknm! to ~fr;~ April j 9-10. There "'ffl( mall)'
dmllanllt~
bt.o'tU'ilC"Pi

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tIJJPiJ!g,rl"'!sJrctk'i(}ffH1rl1t"Imli'

{.I~'ri,rg find l.fimJrrrg. S{'n"ioj l~md.J, ~mlX"ks fllUllwf'S' W~""l:' prizro W tlp¥ Irwrs uj "p.(ub flf IllI!h fiik-' ~l{jj'u$. 9

,IIRBORXE

whrch 'a irbom theory,

would
~j

he deralleo

to the
il

parachute assumed.

regiments.

Non-dlvtslcnal

un irs. desjgnared th ese we're not and, in for mass received Corps term sou ch

in eluded

,']jrbome

vi at i on E''Ilgine-er a.m.1 A.A art ille ry baua lions; but ,v ·e.re air-deliverable referred leave heavy to conventional equipment 1st
r

parachufe-tratned gliders. movement the training, pamehute

as is sometimes aircraft.

by transports
UIlLUitrained

The term 'air-transportable' an.d If so deployed would for

by transport unlt_~ were

Such unns "',:ere not designated example,

as such but merely behind. US Marine Battalion.

to

dcstgnarcd,

Parachute it lmpl led

(The
t hat

-pa rumntl n e' was not offlcja I an d waS frown ed upon troops were only "half-martnest.) The BrLti:iih A.rmy used 'atrbome-as of what unns ]!t.ttcr became being il!sMg;ned to those six Infantry were ocsjgnated dlvlslons an umbrella Divlslcns dtviston weee desigllat~d the

it:!!;

th e pedantic embracing

term, in practice either only 'parachute' the units

all the units However, all

the- jst and 6th t\irOOrne gHdcr-tri!lned. Wlthln battallens,

and some .s.epa.rate units, two

or lil1r~l<'lndln8~, the parachute squadrons bngade and field 'airborne wuJ the

ncadquartcrs, ambulances, dtvtsjon'

and 'tater the brigade other dtvrsional were

engineer

'paracnure': airborne

were designated known

or 'atr-landrng'. units collectively as FaUschinnW,'hln tparechutc Dlvtslon All units One German and [lir-Iaftding (FJD; parachute were parachute IJ'OOPS); the rifle dlvtslom all other ..trained
F"'J~hirm/nIIJ1N:'l

In Genna ny, Wenrmacht

Lrj{tlmIdl?tTJlJ1'~/j

were .[!.:ssign«l to parachute hy ~nfan~ry glider Regiment DiviSion •. If

tho lultwMf e (illr Forro) .n~

F~IJscMlrmj~ger regiments (parachurc-). necessary, (tst Anlanding two infontry

th .. L"fllm")err,,pp""

to the Heer (ilrmy)'

only units the three also were prefixed

were doC5jgn~ted Fallschtrmjager: unit was speclftcally but it

wtrh F'nIJschirPII-

and! could

be landed

glider-trained nne 91"

ht Luftlandesturm
Infontry (Luftland)

A:;:;.alUlt Regtment),

W(lS

also parachute-trained.

The arm)" converted

di\~SIOnS Into air-landtng

units, nnd

tater in: the hl'a r numerou

s Lu ~t' v~ffr ground

com b.'ll un lis were de;;'gn a ted I'Fausen lrm -' fo r

reasons of prestige, but few of the troops

were in fact parachure-tmfned.

Origins
on the enemy dare l>ack to the 18th century, In red " propose I to drop an Inf.n try d Ivisl on fro m bombers behind German lin es II the war hod connnucd. In tne 1920, and early 1930, several cxpertmerus were unccnakcn dropping small groups. of paracnuttsrs, but these were mere dcmonsnanons or the porcnnat for cxplcttmg an enemy's 'aerial flank'. Many offtcers were eXCi.ed by the ernerg ing rossi eu rues of .1 rpower as M'" >irerort were d.~1 oped an d nyi ng records were constanny broke-n, Se-'ve-ral factors detUiy<'<lhe d~e-lopmC'-nt of atrborne for«SI t however, both pracncal and cultural: the 11mlted capabtllrles of !'Lirer1'1ft nd parachutes, and a tile I"~of funding and vlslon, The rru e da ' vn of al rborne warfa re ca me wt rh the ftrst 1.1 rge-sca: e moven.enrs of troo ps by rransport .11 rcmft I n the 1930,_ This I"" radical means 0 f rapid Iy deployt ng troops Fan •• Si.S 01 airborn. troops dc;C<'ndlng Wo rid War I, t h. US constde

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F{jlls(/lirm 19JB! lmt

IjJr(lllretil~
jf

ijj

~.'(,ISm:Jj1o(glft ......lVal!' L~fl.~·{jrrt' ill 1

KOltrpm'ie ill 19.1'1 mrll.r"xlm.!tftr.1 1939.

II Iurr)

,Ill'

INTRODUCTION:

AIRBORNE WARFARE TACTICS

'when compared battery repeated behind coast 'enemy'

to dropping to coast across

them of the

by parachute
jt~

or crash-.landing two years

them later

in gliders - allowed an artillery exercise troops was. in saw and larger the and that Straits 20,000
Faffscilirrnjagr:r
(I

a more 'Wide-spread recognition with an artillery a tribal

potential.

In 1931 the US Army airlifted this year a small infantry In 1923 Britain War between

isthmus

of Panama;

battalion. rebellion,

The following

force was air-landed had airlifted

tines during

an exercise

in Delaware. Gran Chaco

IrJ.q to put down German Junkers

and in 1932 flew a battalion as military troops. air-landing transports The Soviets test units

from Egypt to Iraq \... -hen Bolivia and Paraguay and and France on a much

trOUble broke out again, Italy also experimented scale: they parachu.te formed small

The 1932-35 used airlifting regiments with

ju 52 airliners

by the former; experimented in 1.931/32,

motorized

in 1933 two
vvardi1l3 a

and two air-landed more than of August

were employed

during

the Kiev manoeuvres.In

1935 manoeuvres 3,000 paratroopers At the beginning had genuine by flying 800 of Gibraltar reinforcements (packed as. many by sea transports. The delivery

8,000 troops

were air-landed,

with light tanks and trucks, OvU War, an. airlift occurred forces from the in Spain for Morocco across the

were dropped. 1936, early in the Spanish The rebel Nationalist Franco's African Junkers, Army as about implications. of General German-provided were reinforced some:

strategic men aboard

/11 52 for training jump. Note Owt Oley wear rubber km;e pads; Germany was tlu! only country to make 1I'ir}r lise
of these, leaning due to the forward{(ll/diJJg enforced IJaflless. by

spearhead

who had arrived

by mid-September;

9,000 of the-se were flown across capacity of 17), and the rest came before the eve extensive

the- RZ pame/lute

as 40 men to an aircraft of combat troops

with an official

Some cmmtrif!S cfe1'eloped 1'1/1 sort~ of protectil'e gem, but a

wett-secwett fie/mer ana good

by glider was a technique

Germany,

little considered

of the war. Many countries

- especially

the USSR and Japan - sponsored

supportive boots were the ouly things a jumper really needed.

11

spen

8'r~r

progra

m mes,

m']illly

10

dL'w::!or units

fL!!tIli:'

,jJ

i rcru

f'I

p;iJoI':':, The'

G[,rlTi.jJ ns

II"t-l('

the-

first 10 form

glld'eT-<lcli'lr"1.!"r('iJ iM'II~tr:f

in I9'JS, rollol\'.et.I i 941

b)' thoC'So~'i(,IS

if 1 1940. tH"iLaifl

and japan cstabl ishC'd glidco~ u I'lilS ill tare

and

I he

US i 1119.2.

Earlv doctrine
most uanons viewed pa rilchul lSt:5. a~ mtucrs ,UHJ units, Thls ShOr~-j;jgntlXlrlCO~'50 is undcrstnndablc gi~11 th~ nmnco capabilitiC'S .01 i21irC'L"aft.nd th~' m:u1.y corn rnand, 'Control and log)sl i,oCO;J] rom plol:.id.l~ a of or)(~r.tiiflg i.(ijg,cr LII"IU:s t bchll1{1 ~Ilemy unes. Tile ('.;:I ]).lbmly d 1.r;I 1M~o tnsert ~m~1I gl"O\J1» ex of r:)~d:~rs. who could C?lrl)' :501Jftl,ilml ammuntnen <lnd rancns to ma~ themselves <!I nelsence for oil lew dili~ but the value or such Illi:ssion!> was quesncnabte - the c:mnpilri.lt IVI:I)' 1Is,l1t damage i 11I00Clcd on the enemy lIIiglU not be \\"OJI h the .efrOrl, "M~~·C'~·C'r. !.LLl.tilining n liug{"r uuu Ihrotl&h .jJ:C'ri<!l1resupply .... "ould be dir1iru]\, CSiX-Ci.a.II:t'ir tl\('j' were LO become el'LgitgOO II'! (I i reo comb n 1 - as opposed to 8,1;JCUil.,"i"'t~'~ h nr~s:5II1& I a uacks - nnd were SLIrTOI.,],I'HJOO IJy I he enemy, r.;:ll";lcllul'C' ~Inil'S vere also envlsaged .iI~ corutucung JJ.ellilld-the·]'ne50 recennntssance, 001 n~lI3Ihl(!otong-range radlo cornmunlcnttcns Wit 11 t 11-1!' oxcoptlcn IEnlployt.'d or the S[}\'i(,IS. subctcurs iii smatt
tQ

report Othtr

tln111:1~' n1~lltg~n~ . concepts or glider were imIllMi..iltN)'

tntormanon some ....... L more hiJ

\~-0l,J1d he rhc key to illllhilioo~_ They

hts mlsalcn. OO~ tilliom de! i vercd b~'

Silw

parachute

tJchi.ntl enemy

Itncs to setae b:CO)''(,'Hm{'S - tJ.rid,gC'$, Liirficol1..ls..

rli_gllwil:f uncrsccttcns. Clot. - if 1 order to b~ ('Ilemr remrorcemem Or to aid the advance of the main groui'ld :Jmid: ..The :)lr«l!vele-cli fot'CC' would bave to be 5~1 f·s.uHl.oCient til ree 10ror fh'i2 dtl~ end capable of ho.ldjlig oul iI&ilin~t wha LC'~·C'rhe ei'lfilly threw i.l1 II'LC'rt'L t urttll rtliC'~·oo by ,groumi rClltt~. Seen a reec wuuld rN)' neovny 011a.v raucn Icr fi.re su ppcn in Ii,ru of (i11lJJ.t::ry, s I-I"cll as for rC'SLIJ}j)lydrop-s; cccn ntr evaeoauon a of \I"OOl'Idro might be p>OSSlb!~, Eioy 1940. for I hose wi. h a uuje ""b,1QI'!,a number or \ll,[1)'S 'Of emp]oyi il,t:: pa cuocpes "'con:
un(ler:io1(11[i{l;

t. Sc~rlng 2_ Opent

lines of cern munfcet

ion

and :;uppL)'.

n.g or do~ing dcfttes arid rrm.:;lng,s; uml setal n,g domillal if IS, terrain fcerurcs . n& orf C'II('IIIY reserves. 4. AHilClil'lg Inc grow r1;dorga neaucos ano f,ocj Ii ties of em:my ate forces. S. EI'!.... ·Nopil){!nt Jrom above. 6_ IWlllfol'temel'll or 01\'0 1roops. .1.
ell Ui

Early opelallons
t! j:5: ill tCle~t;j(jg 10 note hOlll the G('r(f!.iJilS ('lllfJlorro pamch u te mljt,S tn 1.I'lNi' j 9.JO opera uens. J n No,",,,.ay If! J\prU 190:1 <Ii singl-e company W;)S dropped IQ ~L nb! tsh .a l'"O:)d 0 block. 11'"1 the-same month In Denmark, nuee rom pa ny (hops were executed. to secure t'Lo.'O ahn(!"M~ ,1)0(131bTI(lS,~- III }.,~.LIy wmlJ;my was droppc-d pleccmcet i nto roarnon hem Norwa y .LI ClVCI 11 tile
rIa)'~

to reinforce rnuch jumps

IX!ICiJ.guerro rnountatn more ilmbil ioo~

fEtK.1!JS. Oil
I\~["(!

10 M~y 1940. u nd-C'n.aktli:

in Ildgiul11 und twc lCOtime!'1 LS

Ne1.hcrtauds.

0lltrati.olU

conducted conducted '1.

multipl-e
tn concert

rangtng rrcm platoon to ilxm~ljol1 stae. All 0' I.hCOSoC" ope,.ations\"'~!lthe tcruende Dlvlslon att-lend In!; troops by • ra 11,sp9T1:50, ,;"nt;!

I;-";TROIJUCTIOI\l;

Alm50~~E

WAlI.rAR~

TJ\{ ... -nC:S

Bri~'i.ljl ,j'l'U-Ir5 !rbiJ;-;ll'"jlll ;:"oIlrln:rlr.. .r5ril'"liiIIXMkn' .

{aIrr-('rt~JcblJmbrr,3!lllrn
u:V.r.\jr~,'.il'"("l<JIIU'Iol,rIt'.r.~ 19-1"1,lfrirlipDruWrWCtt.rJ {rrJINjJi]l~L7/im.L"?{i"('lj ~r,ll'l"Nll""~ ~r.K'lr ,L'>J<!'"fjr..I,; II·mil' III'I((IfJrkvl,jNL"'OI'il0

la.i1:1

fl.~~,.:.Irj''<I;;r.II,'mn:'h.itr.fffij

{lrrirsrjl~I'JiNlm,.n1l' INliII-e rll''Rr!l!rrJ'rto~ ~jtm.M:td

jur,lrpm. f'r.,Ij'I'1J1'~~""thr.lto'.f;tP.&t'

•.,;~· Thr!J.1'<"

~rm

wJw.r.,;qJrjmJ u

f"Irt)jt~lfJdropjjl~jj

I1fr.:m-frlrJ'rto[rf,ll!.!l';'Ifi"'oIjul.'olrI r'Xj't jrj~1p mlk'd 'r/.IWNg tM

b..11·j~IIJr1(n{Ql!I.It'm.mrl .... 'l

t¥fNlros.,.~th~JIilIY;L

I~n~ing on .LI tvcr - harl the <lim Qr setal 11.g r I1ri~gt.~ an~ ilirlldtl~. All -vcrc ccnscqucnny the ALLi('j rccctvcc un aurupt Icsson in tile v iilbiLity or ai[i"[)ome the smaller opere ucns, tht scfzu rc or the I:k!-lgi,'j rotl ress or Ebc-n fmaet by n :s,l!dl'T-dC'lh'tr{'ld troops, prob a I::HjI did ruore LO capture •. e nuegtnerton h or S!1i.Uegi)t5 than the 1<II"~'1 pnrachu L(-, rops ncar oRO! teroa m. d Illtc-rtnLngly, though IUtl~ renee l1/2ISueen or IL ln n l"'lQrtd mesmertaed rhe huge o~r:lot!nn:5-ln ItllSS.SI, 111JuLy 19~ I rhn Peru-Ecuador RQHll!r '·\'.LIr bro~ out. U:5-3ng Italianeven ~. seaplanes S~'i.fLlI, ~nd One 1reope.

or

~I

•.rJlinlXl pnratroopers, [urn pt.'d

Peru
ill

secured

two

.,lrn{!"ld~ 1))1 air-landed bell ind

l)3ra.ruopc-~

while

others
r&LI\

on

to ~n.;J seized
rD["{:('S.

su PI)Jy oasc

b."UiJtlori'~IJ\ uecs,

t(!sulli n~ ill the

of

ocuatJOr·S border

The ril~' 'I:I~"U8ritis.l\ parachu.{' opern tons wete taids, ooe, LLJ}1~tQOlL-SiZ(' o~r.:u Ion In 11nIr I(i. <!~tror the Tragtnc uqced ~1,oCt provrdmg \'II','j 10 uuee seepous, was l.ar~ly SIfill 11.1~_ rer The other, a company-sue eperatlon 10 Qb131ln toolm!':;iIIl In Lellls:encc or! ;;I radar system on the french ccest. w.a;5. SI C"Qmp-lelll!" SlIOCC:55_111~ f1 ~1 Scvlet opcruttcna! use of puatmoptlS
""'<I~

in 19J!f

:lot till! op!!"n.n:s.

or

the

winter

War Fjllni~h Other

agatnst count

finliJl1d_;

small

divt.'1SimliJr)'

and

lirtC'~ btlt all -wre quirb:ly wip«l Out. des planned to .ai.rJjf! eoovcnuonot inr:!ll'l1ry u nil~ c! thcr to e:,.;:ptili L the toogem("FII of para roopers or to 51lih rorces roil pl{ll~' ,..i1hln !II thea ire or opera Lions. 'rhe IJS pln nned to • r;!Iln SIe~r~1 .nf., nl ry dfvtstons In 111.5 rotc: they would rot be re·orgSln.~~ or receive Sp'"~·dSlI equtpmenr. oo~ \~"'{}l,Jld :5-.!mply tea v c
TniJil1& were tlroP'fJ(orj 1:X"!'lin~ WfW~llde r.:esi~ the GcrllliJll

dctachmcma

tnvtston.

behfnd

~I t heavy

li,~Jlpom.

vohlrles

and equlpmC!nt

that

coutu

110.1he klildi."tl

aboard wi'.!'1

transports - alllmLl,gn IIlI! OlliiOIl wEil~ a'o'<lililiblt-to rcptucc thctr LOSmm hCl\...ilz.C'1$ "7 Sm rn wtilipom. The SU~<1CU 1}lal11 ned to ill rlirt parachute 1JJ\L~s.. rhcr than ecncenuonat ra
inr2lnlry, es foucw-cu L!'OOpS.

'-,

AIRRORr-.:'E

I~ w as reU th~, ~ ~J< tr~m~ly

ravou r.3ll!!::
OJFliJll

conrtl t icm!l. hart to t1>I! mC!1 Ior " n dcft1i1..'c_ pcputancn \\"(ltlld IlwvidC

ahbomc

opcrattcn

to succeed 1_ ;\~nc..:
2_ landing

of

or

pOlluly

il'.£d
iI

Fl,rDLilid

In territory

where

friendly

inrorlii.LI.tiOI1,

foo.;j

J. Landing ill the r-e;,1r r a dercal('t] etLern)", o 4. G[)[]I(jground und weather conditions.
In r{'.iJliLy most later M.lc~rul .ilLrbome epcrauons met fe\\' iJ auy of these c:rU.r:r1~, an hough the lilSI filC'WtS 11"(!1(' hlgllly deslm1J.1c:rOT SIIIXtM. The show::omlllg,s or a! rbome tor~ were recogmzed, t-.'o flew concept I~ wlthou l It:s 1IJ'i~ Ions, btU ccnvem tonal i ~::u commanders I~J~ to deery atrbome O'fJ'emllOI15 because Oil II\e 5UrlJ.-CC: Ine 5hlJrlc;om1ng~ seemed highly dNrlm.~flt~l to what was n~ry for 5t.1~~11 combat opemttons of iln}' kl nd. These ,show:om.n,g~ w-e~ I, 111e vuln~ranllLly of descemlhns I LImp!!"~ to enemy grQLI nd rOK'M.. 2. 1nil 1.<,1rliwr&" nl~, tton after . 3. l.nck of lIllollllily .:.1. l nck of ml1lK)rti after land i rlg_ csher thu n b)' foot. by n! r('r.iJ fi. 01 her than Iillm.ling

arul tT:lIn.s;lxHI.

S. Oiffiru Ity

I1!'l fi rtpDw'C"r of rcsu IlJ)Jy_

Itwas :5.OOnrealiz('d II'at ~ucC(,SS depended on a number or filC'IO:~, ,\! a Ire,a,dy mcnnoned, LM essenu als rOt success incltldf!d sulftcleru lime soe planning. .and rOT 1n.iJSMIJ i ng Eii rhome Ilnd atr! Hl un i ts,; fn tense eoonn 11iU .... th airlj r. u l1lts; and g,ood r ton I In rnrma rlnn on en ~my forces in I he opcrattonnr il rca. terra i n .il rid \\"C.il th cr coud i nons, <I rid
I he dctens opcratfons of the ill Ihe nb] ect! ...c area. meantbnc, AirbOnlt u nns cauld not IX' comui i ttM when to ground

emergiilg demanded iii least local .. it was m:CCSS2Iry. Ol11y I ric Sovlets had developed nn advanced dOCLtiil(!- \0 tntrod Lice scban ntl.3.1 airOOn1(!- Jorrcs tmc !}W enemy's rear to support the mnn ground asseun. dlsrupt h~s \\'ithdL.lwal. or thtca Lei~ 11 open Ila n I;:~ The concepi was nmbl tlOU5. but tile 11mIted is ilit L,..n~pott and 01 her eap a 1}111 es of 111~ era bern pered i ts tmpjememauoo. n Th-e 151'.33 spcctat Jnstrucuons specmeo Ih:;lll illrborn~ reglments and 1}I1:1;(1{ie-s would be I:mpm)'ed
or tli{,~'

anuencns

s.irr1.i)lr -voutu not be available Ihelr LJ.Se,comptcee surpnse was crtucal. 'uld

SU!JCrioril,)'

;)!!:~ln'50~ he opere tlone I deptf t \~"01.Jld hug~r IIn~ lacked

or the C!"11{!"my rjofcncc or in aesscn 1939 CCJlll,ll.311tcs.

iI mon~

end

that the

tacrtcal Sovlets

Jilroorne ~id

opcrat not

ions

iJ.I:

coooucreo hy
forces (rom on hamper The

hauaucns

Why

employ

Jilroome and

the! r 60,OCO parat roo·p(!r,5: 10 Inlerdkl i~ UI~known, arid 1·II'<lS thut ~i::.po~ition~ learned commands terrain. and atruorue their unus

finllish
mis.::;iol~s could

!OLlI)llly
-vcre

rein forcemcnt enemy IJrLIlCifiEiI

I hOUJ'lh i L is apparuu

t I hal tli("y not

trucutgcncc

htappruprtatc.

tltti!li It.'d Out to con ... nnonul tactical e

IX" effc-cti\'elr employed; Iher n~ 10 be or command. R('gai'dl~ or Ihe r~Ul!re or the modest Scvlet ;J Irtome ~ffotts 111 Fif! land, LIlc:19~ I Sovlel field sevtce eegu l.atloll:50fo.r the em p'loyml;!nl of ehbome farces provl-cte oil good docnfna! ....e .... of Ihelr USI: In the: n~r rLLt":ITi~= '

beWith I riC: capcetauon I hiil they would held under inc con trot or the highest echelon

"

INTItOlJlJC'nO;-J; ]. IJlm.lp~ ion or organtzauons. 2.

()t!~II"\,ICIIOIl or

J.\L~IJ,O~['o.:t.\'AltfARE '
n& st a tr

i'ACnc..s

enclJlY

00111 mend

an d con t ml and

rt:ilr ilrea uctivi

ncs by

auaoki

(:omlinmi-t.LItioll~ .::IndDlod.;.ins the aJ}J}ru.a-thC's the Ieonr 11y'l.!"1'1l'my 10 rcrces. m LLni1orl~ Eilid SLI P'Iies . i P 3, '}(.'·j;,w re and dcstructtou of erlcmy ui rriNd..'i. oJ, Si.'CurlnFl areas 10 filC"i.litiUe Ute arnya[ or Eiir-IEillidil'l~ 1I'OOj)S.., S, R'l.'"illforcillg(-,i1CiKlirl~forces and mooi!c Iormanons, nnd eccompnsntng mi.'§.S.jojuin me encmv's Opei'atiOI103J tlo£!-l1tb. 6- Coml:t<!1. il_giliitiL E'11~Jll'Y mrbornc forces (COmlL(-'r-airOOtn.e operauonn.

Early organizalion
III Itw inl'lJlry lOrnlrbcme w~ff;)w n-ou reuons 'Cln"slOJ1~ :liroorni: 'Units or 110mote than a h~\t;)Lirnl rn' regfrneru I.., stae - jean, II:ghlly -cq"'!p!X"CL and P""Q'I.'kted "",1111 ln'mor1 sevtce m d("JJlc:nls... s w!lh :;my T"3I(lIQI A concept, Ir.;!dl.IOJ'l;)1 mlli~u>' If!"<!Id~r}~[l"Ct1.11Iy :5o!nc-e 1hey 11'"ef~ beset IJ.y pte-war oodg~t constm! ms - II~-C re! ueta nt to pol much raH.h In verncn! em'cioi)m(-'n.; rew r;Q\Ild see rne potenrtat for 13~ rOTm<lII.OIl~nd operattons h~'VIng .1 a ~1J<LLl"gioC"lnfl\len.;;~. hliliOllllyonly ~m~11cxpcetmentn! unlls woru termed 10 lest l:.'Xi~tin& altcrew C01Crgt.'IlCY parachutes. inverfabty 11!".1odins, 111~devejoprnern of dedicated tltXlll parachutes, d.1tkn::nl to lILLMpol1 .1lKJafl models, jumll pecccdeecs. cl mf" .il.ltLtlH~ juml)i.1lJ..;w{'-Zlilons ami lXIuil)mr:nt und ;:;;:r~}' procedures, Ijltli." l2"mt \\"<!I!'i mndc to d,z\'"dop tactjcal concepts. Once il ..... dOCitk."d '~ 10 ftcld lat~r uens, Qrr~r.j]11<!: NCO c;:IdK's "we tim uameo end then -ecuns accepted, r~rt of the cadre man rtoOO the new unlt:s. and cines oPOCr.!ed th~ new parachute $odlool. t MQ1.LOO~i nes tlrst tleldoo one or t\\"'{11 ""nilS based on convenrtonat nl Ilg~1 In f;)J'l1ry D.3n.;,UOJ)~_ They coououec dcvetoplng [ump procedures and mult~pli: ,;r.I!"(;nrt mess jumps, .oe~.oed the ijmpplng of h~ilv!er :;!ITQlS- -N]UlpmCI'U, nnd began IQ looj;; at ~Imple tacucat tlJ!lO :l.5.p«t~ such as DZ ;membLy and! ron-uwttlng ra 1.r;:!;5., Demomtons and sauctage Irain In& \1fa!li. common. "'!Ii. Ihey ~.nr,ggletl to acqu! re more tranaporta, some hisJl~r commanders 1:M!-g.1 n tQ see the ~blllll-l!'$,. a nd larg~r 1,1 "~ were ratsed. n Depcndtng on tho coLLnlry. etebome LLnlL~ 1I;0uid be arm)' or ilir force. or in Gcrm<lny'!l. case, both. Some atrtomc arlll)' unfts Init~aLly under i.lir force conner. The US Mannes a nd J.jj 1)a111..~ Na\'Y estab! iShcd t hei r own pamch utc un its. There was nearly alw a ys sonic odl.spuu::over .... ~hotlld control them.' air t(J~ .LIrgLlt!t.l IMI Itlcr 1-I'"(.'-rC dependent on air 'lto for .... l(!Ji'l,!{"ry. rtSU!)I)ly and (i rc .':iU:PP"l'i1, armies ~rgu;C'1.l urat tl\("y [ICC'([('dto be tmtued and i n ranuymen. that ai ocrart were mcrNy a IllC<lIU,or de! ive ... . and that the! r ground y operanons .ccre il1 support of advanc! rig ground forces. These early un its. were ugru ancl compacn only u mncd man P'O"'('t resccrces .aJlotti!{l, because or the ('XI)LlllsJOl1 of pre-war anmcs. transport Iim5ti:Ui,oj'j,S~and li1 order LO ease cssembly and control 011 the ground. :s.1JPJlOrljr~ crew-served weapons were minimal .and scrvlce support .j],lmos~ 11.0J1.-(-,){jj.teI1 mcse speclallzed l!)llt:5- rclled greally on ou tslde L.so support. II Wj)Selse cnvssacned ~lUI dUi'ing an oeeraucn ttl'!: entt roe- unn "'out(l deplO}'~ there ..... 'i1."50 then no concept of a rear base Oi'strppoi'! echelon uiet ""'01.l!(l111l1-: 1:;IIIer I1d relll rQICe up a the unn's or;.a~bm.le5,
\\'"(!'("E 1-1'\('-[(-

"

The airborne regiment or brigade

When reg.mcllt~ were CJrJ.l<llli_u:d - ut LI!'-i1!:.1 initially s, - thL"}' l1.ild only LiJ1.d platccre uvo I:t.LJn~lioll!>. Bvcn ccmpumcs

sec! tons

till

IIIt~JU have ol~l)" uvc platoons. he, I han th~ tlorm:)1 three sutoou
.jl

I~ was de~imble
I"(;C'~ I1tCaJllC"

oilly eve squ,'l'I,JsI 10 IImit t he ~Iz.e 0:[

~'QIJ<!I~~~~c.lolls so th.l ~ II:.aC11 l,,-oLlI·d (11 Into 1.::1 expanded ter

iI:5-

~Iftgle tmnspcn rcsou

IJIr glMcr_ gutnm I t~ .....re '1! EiI,'.uili1bL~o1l'Lti t ranspon

mere

manpower

,I nd i.lirLirt

ecpaeu tecaose
aucl

i~

ino::rC'ilS(-'d.The ! raditionaJ ~nece subunits a L a 11)' glvcn 1(!"~1 was ]11er~U~ Qr ueucct tl~Xil)ill.)'. 11111: need (or ~ reserve '5oubtlllil ('111"0 Up'. OIlC! b:).ck'). and
of • urt ics I~·Iil I he ccnvcnttcna! t MOI::;I ccuntrtcs C'\'CI1tU<!Illy Lnfantry in ,,'11 lch OmC~H Ir1IirLN~.

• ne nCIXLIot com mon:~IU>' Nf.::ili were

auopreu orgiJI1i.za\ion~ ""ilt. mrec subll nits. tne US was one or [he L~sl 10 accept I his.; :JRI r!)ch'LI L(-,rjfle corn pa flies 113.tIi onl~' twc platoons tlntll 1~1e 194-1, an-d. glkl~r Lnf3.tltry regjmems hael only two bnnaltcns
until mir..l.1944. -t<llLill~ mlilti-W!.ttiJliOil l!)H"let unit. tacucn! and for gruUi)ill.gS (!"v~ry bri t istl three used oC'i!IIC'r 'rC',gimei1!~' nebulous The Or ·g_.rcUi)S·; it was ~hC' ... ntmcat I r:!(ji uoeat former The US ccusldcred

Ih(-'
"I

seem w~s, selected

I hilll .a rt&i mental fot u,r:)!ltfY ml;l1t nits,

th.jjil til'!: mON

wuuld

'~10UP" as
mls~ I tlcoir

rad ItiQfI.jJ I Inr;mtry

bauauons brigiJd(-'s.

RU<!Ian teed r gtol1porng

bcadquancrs

be activated.

{j.erl"LtLm~ <!lIS(}tC'rmC'rl

lIIu1ti-OO U.aLLOU unu F.2Irly un Its w('"<!II:!On~moo

S rt.'giIllCil LS, wh i 1(' the OO[t:)IIOJl~.1 P05~ minimal miss.iol1. organtc

:5olgnal. enameer Ull i L~ formed

., nr..l Ligb~ crew-served wcore l'llg.i n.L'CT~ (5<llll~rS.', also !'aBed,

The fiTSI non-hi

lant ry su ppon

-vtth

a mair~~)' demcltucn

Small

Sig.l~] :;!Illtl IlNiVY 'L'I.'lMjXll1S'LIiliLS were

w

FIlChN;llrtglll!:llt

.;ir!llle-ry {lol I'.I1·y}, moim.;lr (r..·Hr}, ,m!j·:tLml:: {Al)

~ild .j;Il'I"tJ .illn;r031t (AM-

The airborne division

t-3lgher oven

(:ommrmd~
when I L was

I~"'(!"rereluC"t"2lfll 10 H!COJ!ln 17.00

org.'

niae

::IilfOOrOE! rorm., comrnnncl und

t!oJ)s lrugi;'.r
conrml

Ih:)11

re-g.m~Pl.5,.
ners wcro

the L II igncr

hcadqua

nceessary ror uatnmg. plannmg. ~til.gill:!:!o, SUllj)Ottillg end sustatntng operaucru. The us ~t first 5U8,S(!S({'(I rn:)1 parachcee :)I"!I(! giid(-'r reglmems eoutd te formed i I1!O h:!ill1xm 1')' task rerces t:Ji!orW rQr Sj)l!Cm, mlsS"lo~ but ~.u,h ad hoc {QJrnallon"50 ""e~ Inclfoc:tUliot nnrt f~HI!:{I
to pruvide operauonut airt,ome sevtce n nd rnlltilluily. dlvutons ;assets,;

11loC'I! ~I
Sl.1

were reJoi..lCI.:i n.t]r

",11., L ~II open tloeal formed of unlts, the

ti.liSC'tl,

illu<llly

wil n on I y 111 (Iimal i C(HII(:!. in

'L'I."i!I"C ~11: of

pport

unh-s Th~

were

prcvsdee

·thoory,

combat hot

.ilugmcnted lll1i!:5.

Ily ~ddi tiona! 111oC' Germans.

convert who

(!"aTly dfvtstons

small, 1938.

fl1!tlucntly Eilllo:J Lidt-T g em p.lo~

en Iy i'LLM 10 twc-mhds
\I',j'i tjC'<.l:,

111-1: I rC'ugtll or an iur.UUI)," r..Il~'i~i(m. rue rn ~ firSt atrbcrne OO1.Jl" land 1\1lth one r~lm~I'Us.. iIIl tl11;!" nd e ....hlch · h}' glioor

parachute tn

<l.i l/iSiO.n Ir .ilir.landln..g

dfvtslons
established bri.gil~, and etta

of

three parachute
their fir.'il {llvlslon

19...1.

The

us organ
eegtrneus,

izN.l. its fn

firsL

t'v,.o o:Jjv"i:s.:iOI1s ill ('i1rly .

divls,loru. the mix n.gl!d OT arktt tlonal un Its arteched. Tnc battalion was. the most tmpcnaru l.aoC"tiCill cchctcn ut thls ttmc. th(!- dirfereJU coumrfes' 19<a0/041 pnracmnc beuauons show:5. simil:irlties , nctudtng \..... d Inerences I.r;I1I: In I roop strengttt:
~....O gli(if!' '
Ojl')'

of incse

'n~e.ss-'ry. The 6r'1115n and LI"Q Il.3TiIIChu1oe19-~Z.,C';}C"h ittl one lXlr.LLeJlut~ w of r('~mefllsllJ.rlg;ldC'S ocoukl be
A companscu Of

~n.d

diHctCOilces.

"

INTRODucrrON:

AIRRORNE

\'II;..RF.ARE l"ACTrcs

ISriti~ll parachu lI-aualicmliQ

te Betta! ten,

19-1-0 {5]O all r'::lJ1k!i)

HQcomp~ny:
CQmj.'t.'!lny I~Q
j!I,

tonar

ruecn
PlOliloon

t-l.x 3!n Ptutocn

mortan

S,i;!o!,I'l.:1;i.!.

Admil1j~. rauvc mtetlfgencv

Section

pjfle Com

I1<IJ-\), (.-.:3.);

Cum pal1Y I..JQ

l!:Ltl!::J1;}IQCJI'J (:1i3) (-I!"o1dl

:~xI~h

L machhu ..... gLUI. ] x 2i n mQrtaT) 1940

li-i:fDlOi

n P'i!I ruch utc I u filmry

~11_ahofl.

tiO.5)

R:3II1~llml t'IQ Stgnn! Troop

COillpany Troal) (I-IQ'I ~i n{!oPlutccn ~lL3.) teecn

Mortar 1)-00]) (Scm) ~bchil'1.e- Gun Com[loilny= Company Machtnc MOlI:!r US Army 8:auoi:Ilion Troop {1·IQl GUll Platoon

j)l;

Iighl maefuoe-gu

11.)

(;11;2) ~('.aeli Jx heavy

MiiCfli.-lt-;s;U

nl

Pla roon

(6)1: scrm !Sill taucn, 1941 (.5 ]:B)

Pnrachu re Infantry HQ.j] mlliQ HQ

Co.mp.ilIlY; Platoon

Company
Sup-ply III tlo!:

PI.9looJl

Ccremunlcattons PI a rocn {xl}; Med.i("~I~L;}C"hlllcI1L

Compaoy

Com~I1)'HQ

US :\~iLrl:lle PaJ'aC"h utc IIQ

!Sat ti:i.lion. 1941

(6W)

Company.
Comp.ilI1)' HQ Platoon R~nallen I-IQ

eenonuen

R.UleCom pa Ily (X3.); Company HQ

RIfie- Ptatoon (:rt31 (~;J;ll 3."( IIgIl L machtne-gun,
2 ljr l':lril.i,jl

1x 6Qfilll1.

menan
IIAl'!$..

~rr1 CMlr.tr£iJIIJo"l!'ilI.th arml.rs.. Wf/m('ilJ1j:' l1J IilIfl-hl!iP.lr/ry 'r.:_r.ill'lmJ:s' provjm. r.r.r;;/;I.i(iIolo'1r,rIt$t'{rJ".rjl)¥r.C ho1l~ rr;jo r.~it"rtJ'~; bur J~j o'1f~!1 (J{lj't'"irodj!itJNj ~rJl'.lrt r!.trjr (011'(' fffl'1k¢j,rYtJltpcJ

o1r-",1i~ri! .!Mrlloir.iarJo.QUt/

oIIr",-nlm~fJ{li.Ir~1
IIFlo 'JNII'J~llJrigaIh

/It{.-i!fJoil'" "".N\;Ir.iprJJ ru.r

"

AIRlmRf'...'F_

Glidi!r

unfts

were

organiz'I:d

i.I!O(IFJ_t tic lutes. or con .... em i11J\~1 ill rail Lry units, provided • and aubu I1LIS steed '0 aoecm mode

bUL \I:i tii

L(,

sll"{!llgt h reduced.

li,gh tcr weapons

~lLdoc-r

cupuctty The US JIllidC'r rt.1.J,i([lCOnl had mily «vo ueu .allons or three companlcs cacn. iUUJ rum pa ntcs h<ld .orll), ,1'0'0 rjflc 1'1.1 LOOll!!>..I3-li. tsh .1 i 1"--1.1 ndh~g 00 ~tJ.1tons were more rol.m5t .. havillg rom rifle companies \""Lh roue rill-e platoons c a ch.

DELIVERY TO THE BATTLEFIELD

Transport efrcratt .s-r::rv~ the ui rb;JHI!;! troops ill
iI

number

or

(list i nrt

role~:

t.I mlJpil1&

pumtroopers.

supptlcs

.il1'Lr..I cqutpmcnt:

tol ....ng &li1:ierS; eno i

:!j1"I.alldi!l&

LIDLYfM.

and, C':I1go..

Transport aircraft
tnuc
Only.
,d('"..,elO;jN11C11.L

of

Lroof)

tf;:m~ponatrcraft
horn
:;I

had

been

lIr.II:J~rt;;lI.;,~n

prtor

to

World

Wilr

11.

he- US,

\\I'i

Lh Us

t-oll.S

i n.~I'I~1 dlstnnces,

hndlccked
three bomber sourcee desjgn

(!~rly ln to

In to [h€: quesunn.

\,lh,,1 rew homhclS,. the 1\0.r trOOI)

Ir;mS]1Qi't:5. were "'VOI!!::Ible orlglnal~ ;ul., rtallQfl .ac:cr)mmod., had or com mercle non I airliners. to allow

111i! ccnvcrsjon of e:xlsllll8

iI

1111:modirlC311 tQfl or 'II,:hal was ortsill.ilily iIIml npproprtaic

dl!(LiC<'ll.oo 1·r.!nSjXlrt, und ll1oo2lH:' buLb; cargo. also

ThC'J!YI!: based
C:1I;]\

on iJomherS

'YI)K".iJJJy lacked .ildcquute sman doors

doo~

thL')' cuu[{]: 110\ aceom

'!';L1FIid~nlly I.a!"&e doors from

it '0 1Je' loadoo, The puractnnc, unless.

prcveu Loo 10i1gc! wcapee

'1..":11&0tooth

11'4,.'iligt.l10PP-OO

by

for exam

ple, a ocw-scrved

1'11.1('

Irmkm

jli

'!],Z/Jrlf

jrlnJa..l'lif

-(lIIiIII'J~G;lrJJo',l;rJilI'IV,KI(j.JTr.tN~ IN l"Alw Ir",I1'J,

dO'WJl tmo s.mO:illei' cecxages. Adi:i I)Loo oli i riiil!:tS could C.il.rfY L!'OOpS, [)LI L • h('y only arunll oooes .. uius hamj)ei'in~ IXi ra. rocper ~)(I ~and .Il~ Ioo,{l ingl(l ropplng of '(OJ rgc, hl tended '0' dvj Ila 115e1'V'1«on improvoo I'\J rn..... ~hey etten lacked robustness. eys, The number of transpons necessary W denver 03 anbome n fO~1: \1'0'3SQonS~I';;Ihlll:_ TheRrltl~h reql!l.-w !:2 okl Whill.r.:y eornbers, ::mc.! the G~man~ I] J LInkers JlJ 5::1: tr"lmf'O'l1~ 10 "-"QuId be broken !OO usua.Lt~ Jl<L11

MIt'" fi~J~

Thm4' ("Old lnm .-ImJ!":t, Irjjtj1hr~'iWlJ.jl'('"priJrJrrJ)'"

or

G'm.lfJlilr ~rnp a~fi'. 8'ldn INJi:1.mr.f~111Ifl.)oy;IIi5f'Vrt; il ['4)rjrd ("-.:.Irl'" J Z-B ~rJTlJf'i'!! til' 17rJlliJfS_UmhJgfnJflr j9"J{I "~'IJ'I.:.Iil1i111f"", ilm!l~mjJ(Ji(H'd (GI!hc.lll'.r.I~J_jr{no.'tJ~ ,jill 193"" ill o(r l.!LwirW. h lII'(j~ rlr J9J5 IIoTljrNWU

uflUddtd

.fll'\'I\"'I'(NrrllSrllrJIDilliil
~J~·H~flll'l'~li~l.ri,W.

fIIIfIm:'I~j.uGn;lNmr;v':sIllHPl~fJrjtji\lNyl4olrJ5pi1'1 throI'JS',lflNrm~l'Iw.nGlNSp(lr-.
NI'Jf,(J'VCU'4~lillr.rd'Bo,i",~

GKJ.IrfJ.~o{II'l5p«'i'I'J~I'J/1IIIj"JI't"I'Jr· - KGt:ZbV - M.W I'lUlm'ii IN ;;1'1' Thm'iJ"Of'" GI!'XIJIII'(oIil(or fir ILIiry19 .. Wr'LftIt'"LUJ!ffl.IonJ n

INTRODUCT10:--:'=

.r\rRSORNF_ W ... \RI;Alt~

T.r\CTICS

(l1OP om:
(C.-I1,

romp.'JI''W,

The
bUI when
'LIS('()

u.s

tra nsport~ to drop

a parachute

C--l- f _r.Jnspor:ts"
(Thll!" Hri ti~h utso

M,:irirll~:!.s reqcrred six uanspon squadrons each wnh 12. k.:ao hill tauon. A u,..;; pnil-tl\u LCcOr"npar·IY m_'DtI'il'd nine OJ ten rifle fJliJlOOIl:5. K'CCi\'"Cd til i rd squ:.ilt.l iJ1 19-44 tl'i.i~ tncrcuscd 10 t 3.
.jJ;

"fjll~.... mcdciTIl' C-.J' Skrtmhl lllit:.J'"G'DIlI'JQ"mkll • .:.I jPl<wlir~_If.J.NW-ljl\""pt'1'_II"7(I'1

J)[;i,II;.thl.1 tJlC ....li"P.iri.r..IL'T. 1~.;ifIII't"LbrMI'L-lrllj 1'1),,1"""

!hoC' e-41

M iiOOOI1a s C'r"IOL18h "t.·T"C iI'O"ililLitM. lumillg

it me

D.iJ.k01.a.)

lSomlxrS were employed by mall 'I couu utcs 10 I);}rtly mlevta LCLtanSpOrt shcnagcs. While ~ld(JIJIl dfC'ol'1i~ ror (lOOP droppjjlg unless modLfI('d, tl\~ «ere used to ·(.'''OJ)cargo ilxmdl~ ~rom oomb bays Of (I nder-wl ng racks, and ,U glider hl~;5~ some were also us.ed 1.0mr-land uocps. 11u!y 11[1;(1 edve ntage of longer runge than some •ranspons. Most armamen Lnnd the 8\1 nners were removed when I hey were ern p.l.or'C'(l .,'Ij. troop carrters. Troop transport unus had 1.0 1.J.I: 5")J'ec:II)!ly tr;)lnoed to conduct paT-;lcnll1e-d:ropp!ng and gl.ick:r-to1il,:1 ns missions; 11 was won rou nd that :;'lITterce could not 1.1SI.': J\l~t any transport urut vvith th I:'i.m tsslon wnhcut :suhsl.l nun! LnslnlC;_ L-on:;'111(1 rchca rsal.

.I~jl.il""li"I'T'Tm'po:.iTI'C'l'1iIf"l. mrJnJtIIltoilttL'lfiI.rnrmr~ 1.ol:!V.£rl,..,vkIL'nl'i'rlrlbu"!wl'llt)

",,"f'rJITIOTJvft'I'JjI'J'.II'!o-i'flToJ'l'lrt'

~·JOO:4"'5iI':!!IIIJ'.:.1mt.roor ",1(1 MWJ1J' .iilit' fl"mrfl.rorJ

sJN~Jj~.t.m,Jlllil./Ti'ml't<.j lfOOP5, Ll[tJ/pnmJ!1IIl'1I1

~r~~'.I;.II(QJrlnl(irrry
28 ~
(if

19-2'5

jirrnp1.d_

Gliders
:SpOT!.lll{] I r:l i mug g! tdcrs small. stece. .1.I'Ld C"On:5.trLJC'Lcd of ttght, fr-il.gii~ millc"TiEilI~; tll{"Y earned Q.llly oJlCOOr uvo ]X"I'SOil~ a nd were 1101 (';00; pcoed ~O endure roog,I'1 1rt'.iInuen L Iroop'/c.1.~ gliders.. on rne O1.bet hand, h.il,{( !O calry a t loINIj,L OJ S<j,11;i:I.(] o~ combm-toaded In rilnl rymen or !lc:.:ivy weapons with thc'i r .,'I m munition. or even LI1I&!11 veh ide and (,.1L"gO. ]JIliS ono II}J ('"'/0 crewmen. Th~y 11;:Nto be tlg)1tly oOOilj.LfliCtoed SO·;:IS aucw the mnxlmum 1.0 ]la~5ooC"ligl!:l'/~argo capacity. 001 l'Qhus;t enough to C'~rry the heavy I·o.adsiiIInd~l.IrVl"c a II)Jldl1"l.t;: On I~ than Ideal tzs, whose mush ground mlgh~ iJ.I: onsrructed hy t~ hc:d~ end even man. made Ql~1 uctcs. They TH."C..'"dCtl be constructed to !;hO;:iI!)ly, because I hey were unHlroly to
I\~n:!

"

AI!tBORNE
survive an opcnn tonal Oi&l1t in recoverable cml(..lj~ LDrI_They also compC'tcd tOJ liroth..lC' ton uuc space Liil~ rnLi.u::tiui::s\'itJ\ high('r , IJriOli'Y ccmom Olil"C'r:!f! and me wl1' transports necessary to l0111 glid'CT~. l]\-eir need to te li~l1L.cheap, rotius., survivable 3Itld capable oj (','I rryl n_g 11~1vy tQ,l1(h presented n diHlrllll Q~~Ii!!:)I1 ch:)lIen~_ MOSl I roop/i;j1 I"SQ gH1;t~r:;w~reccnstmctod of wood rr.!lm'ng OT nlumlnfum 11Jlllng, plywODl:I sheer and f.1hJic, u~illg inl;t'"ll lous d('~i,gn tt'tltLl~ Ilrovlr..k' the Ilt'CI:S!Hlr:.'strength. ThCy were !tCI1t'"lillly 001l:Y ~j:!-!,rIS Or IOJt.gryliI1,driC.;H tube::. I\Tith wid(', tJli-t"k 1-lli(~~. und \\'C'ighcd hom:3 ro 8. tens, ell lders IJInder LO\lr gave LIroug.l\ ride Ollri ng to turbu fence, and bad to rld(-' hlg.h or Jo''''' CLOO~ or bclQ\\' the I\lg-'s snpnream. S-oml£:.I es In tercem cumrnu n I'-C'.atlon~ nl;,~d the gll(l~r m II pllol 10 the tug. but oeenrosnucuons and T~I~5A: had to he cummuntcatod by <!IJm.fl<l8- or Lig.lt ~I~l.ills. The tow 111l-l!' could I)II!" ri:'l-l!'.ilscd )' 12i1 the tug Or the &1 b her ider, Tuc rug a! ocr-ilfi dctcrmtncd uic rclea ~ lecanun, but it I\ril~ s.hll up to glidC'r ililOl$ to fill~ thc iz ano to ("t\Q.OS(! a i)I'«'.i~.r li}nd.iJ\g f;iOj I' 01\ an .L.l. rili)idly lx-r..-om i I~ ti ned wil h ~lid(-,r:50, ( (l.e;5.ldl£:s dcuverr na. iUS3uh troops. glld~r5 were employed 10 1;;111.0 hi:':IVY "'~1 [l'Ol1:s,. Igh' 1 \'E'hjt;!~s.. arnmunnlon. r;).I:QIl~. \"L'".,1.~r ;;m(l me(.Ut;.J"t l.IppJJe:;_Te.st~ were t;.OrH!LPCti3i:' dmljpfng S patat rocpcn Imm gLiu'I!"r!'i fol~d by IllOTC [u III pi rlJ.l from the IGwing transport. ill order to iUI.r'L~' makt' 1J1) tor scarce trilll'!>iJ'Illls; whuc ~Ul'C>L~U[, tlii$ wa~ never uudenascn OjX'I'.LI tiOlu!ly. Also, 1,0save 011 •ugs, ...... and (!V(!-J\ three glfders were someumes '0 lOll:ro tn tandem ~, :) ;5.1 n_gle tmnspon or oom~. 1111stOO~I-C-ed the range of the' tug, hOII~r, 31r.rO \"3~ 1101 ",It 11011 l d,lIlg-l:r of mL-ct.aM rom~lom_ 1n mQ~' -C'.a~ glld~r5 'I.\.'-I!'1"4) 1101 u~OO! llSmuch i .a$ Drisinililly imfi-cill<ltNI. AdequiIIl(!"mmlhel"$ were oltcn unavailable in the right pface <I' tile rigJU tbue ... nd i. 11':1.:5. s..i IIIpte matter to rC'rry glirJC'~ to tli1: 0i)C'r.Li.tiOIUI rea rOr use. '"rlle 110 a avatlnble gltders II~t(' ersc someumes round.,o be d~ma~NI from h~td Hilil1iilg USC', The t)'p!CLIot nooprcnrgo gJjde, c;lUl-l"d n Sii'lgle sql,._l!,_'I,(i, 8.-1. rnen. toOug!1 1:11some Insrances double tha t IllJmbl:-r. EHo:rts ....ere made I0 develop 1.1 rg-l:r t3rgo slld~rs to deuver

'0

a rti llery,

~'chkll!'~

ann

01 her

ill:"-.1V)' equtpment. to

even to

Iighf

tan ks. rough

\'{hill=
l..l$...

some

were

employed •• ric)' were

dimcull

fL)' and

dunacrous

land em

Som('

extremely

'nI'l"Hrtilill Ar~ UMll lI,r~lIInt~'{'IJ''''$l:Jljlrjr.llI· M:lf{l~mrJtlilllS!".(fliJlll atlII"Ibi:·l"t·l';II"m'C'llo11!:b_iw~.III·

1'I~.rwfhIloo~!rJgffirrl

IIJrI[WoI""jrJSlru~1:~.~~·;Ir L'I~JmsllJm L'I'L'N' rWr~II1I'J ~mrljrJS.. L'if'lip.r.ll'rnr roN';] ~1iII ~Si:irrd~lJh.lr.irffiem.f1t.ls HOlM'. p"'IL7lojV.;I_pIrm ~rr-orl ATnJrt'rnin Strp.rt'rJIiII.'l"1!N4, hiH lJ~ l/illl 415KfJrWy ft'II'l(1I~
rtJtrfiL~fJ{fjr~{NtJrltliltt"; rIOOf'5.jfl,(lCW"S!HJff4~

rfNbIl~!"Jr rJ.w rliIlf.' ~rk' I'Ioof jtfi fJ{l1rr'fyx:j;pll(5n.·J,j'L'J1'ffl:JQ:I~ rfrt'"~ r,ITji"lhflr('..r'_ •• ,'IM11
a\ltJ(I(oI lmWlJL'['lr

c.::r".,·

25fJit~ILH"·,imArgtm.

2"

[NT(tODUCTrON;

AlRR01tNF..

W,II,Rp,\RE TACTICS

heavy gllcl-L"TSwere dL"~'dOiX'd, requtrtng

mv! Lm~ 'I,Ji5.LI5ter: mull i pte aLl'Crilh aJC' ex Till:' G~rntans ,;J,n~ japanese Cml)loyoo

L'\·Oand even
tIC'llUI)'

three 'UJ.l their

atrrraft.

but

this, .... -as

would be

di f(i1..'1U 10 ny when It with

dO$C"ly tethered. \\'hidl

&lil1{'r untts

oWnllilrll~

ilttiKhOO 10 specln! 1r-i:m~]X!l' 'I..Il'Lilsfor tow! 1l.J::l_ The US 'lU!;l.nll~:n.l!d tmn:'i.j)'IJ"l"l ,llll.s wifil ! gll~r!i • and .helr p"lIQ1.~ became [}arL or tilt!" unit. The Britl~ll ;311.1;(1l~1 gll-t~r plio. tmlt~ 10 ..he- :;IIlrlJorne dtvtstcns. and tllt.'"Y(]IKnlt.'tl wnh the tr-ilmp<JJll.lnUs tI~..,lloo tor '.ow'lng~ OI1ce!" on • he ground Sri ti~ll gudcr pi lots Formed om In ran try un It to .11{1 ln ahhaad dcrence. The Ar'lloI!1iCOl na never (11(1 de\o~lop iI gr:olXl plan For 'I!I.'h.~ L to do \1/11!1 1heir g!kler p-llo1.Sonce on 1he ground. ether ~hun "'_'iIII;L!iIIlehem ~5 soon :;35["I'I»S\lbloe. t 'rncre were ~nllngly never enough transports a n ij .sl idoe:rs to suppo,t a i rbcme [Joper.il.tion~ ET~n the major, long-plnnned cperartcns expcrlenced shortfalls. Productlcn nnes ~lTIp'ly could not keep pecc with dema 1"1(1, oc:5.~clally 5i nee the need for transpcns W!.l:5. much lltgllcr uian enucpeted - (1:50 ere I·~, w Combat aiK'rOif! and o("i,lC'l~ untncrs had prioriLY over me production or tr,']nspo't:50 and gli~i."';5., To make maucrs 1\"o~C'. during a
g~~'L.:nopemrfen (101\;1100 ~UPI)ly dcstred SOil1{' 'ranspo'ts h"'Outd :5.1JrJCt mechuulca! and hi:'avy 10 fatturcs equi!JllleliL Or accidents. Ind("t.'"4:i. il
.iI nd

"{a~(tIIT)J~'In.I/!(foiI."('Tljrl!;':'f jfjrJ~(Jf.L'jOOrl'tJfoll"',r""Jr.rc.r r(t,l'i"if.llr~rWIII'.m"i. 'IQIK"L'n·I.llrnf'fll7'i~rroll'br oI"GI".r.:ljIfi'rnlrlI.llId.-.~rl'jl'" ilJ{/j"mJtrolo.IrI'!i-oI."dll,iIJ!II{'"

ClJ were 1'101

b)' 0[.""1\C'1II)" njus f re, fer tusufflctcru

1he same

reduCii'lg

those a vallable to de! i vcr fottow-on

..... aves or [ern pcrs,

W"";!~

,:;:hn,1S, aJHI .Li.ir-tar.JdiJ1.g rctnlorccments ~I~ • and 01 I'C'raft had i

uncommon the
second

uanS-J1Or.s so be avail ubte

to liiil I-:e iI quiCl

denver n first-wave
rcfu .... 1i n& 1 hold. il~ shill)'

rmre

of me

dwb1j

tumn round,

!o:Jdilig

.f.).il"i..li[lrl"l;

11ft' US • 'rh ..Urto.onlL" Mj"t'"jrmrp i"

II fI while I he il'Lil inl -i1SS<i.ullforce :fought

10 retain

_\fdr;r/r19-l5_

t!

units at lirs:t used. standard aircrew emergency parachutes of H'}!?back- 01 seat-pack types, "rhesewere activated by the [umper puHifilg a npcord whtlejn free fal],
Eady parachute

which required addltlonal training, a higher ~IUJ]lPaltitude, and, a, high degree of ~um~)er stabUU:y- difficult to achleve wtth a heavy burden of combat equipment, Ail countries. developed purpose-made troopparachutes, These typlcally consisted of a back-rnounted main parachute ·arnd usually a chest-mounted reserve (smaller hl dlameter than the matn), the latter activated by ripcord. The main c~nomJ>y was actsvated by a, statlc line: Le_, it was attached to a web strap' Of rope approximately 15ft (4.,tlm) long, the other end being clipped to a steel table running 'the length of the troop compartment. As the [urnper exit'ed the' dour the stattc UOf' pulled the canopy out of the' backpack, and after it Inflated a light connecting cord snapped, separating Ute statlc tine from, the canopy - a sequence .of even ts requiring only seconds. Germany, Italy and Brltaln did not use reserve packs, and troops, of other armies sometimes made combar [umps withotu reserves. 'Owing' to the lc)\,+\r [ump ,anitudesJcrI the event of a main pack maltuncttori there was no time to de'J=~ioy a slower-opening 1r,eS~IVe before hitting the ground, and U was not 'worth encurnberlng [um pers already burdened 'with equipment. A. troop parachute harness also had attachment rings for equipment, and sometimes a q ulck-releasemeans 'of shedding the harness. Parachute canopies w'eretyp~caUy 22-2.8ft (,Ci. 7'-S.S:,m) j 11 diameter and made of silk. Though bulky, silk, '!VGS an excellent material tor the purpose, but its supplywas cut 'off to rnost countries by the Pacific War'" Rayon was used tnstead; and late in the war the US began using iI1Jy~on1' whkhproved better than sflk, Canopies 'were genera.l~y white, but tt was soan .reaLized that con spieuou S white eanoplesleft on the ground. and hung in trees attracted enemy fighters and even ,gave an tndkanon of the sise of the, airborne force. Jumpers d.id not always have time
to collect parachutes canopies remalned ,~nd hau] them off the DZ with all their other equipment, 'Vil1i1Jemain tile in use for trainlng parachutes ("the British also used yello'!\'fl and forreserves, stlll used,

The' Germans used four-colour camouflage, US solid olive drab or three-colour Cargo parachutes

tbe B,ritisha dark green and black cameuflage,

camouflage - though whj te canopieswere since

of various sizes were provided

to drop wea[ ons and cargo containers,

,acU'Vart~.d y a static line. Cargo parachutes were' cheaply constructed b

they' we lie generally

used only once, Most countries provided cargo parachutes ~n a vadety of colours allowmg the loadto be Identified as e.g. weapons, arnrnurntion, signa'il ,geart rations.water ormedlcal supplies.

The weapons and unit equipment used byairborne

forces obvlousty had "~O be light, compact, but rugged, and there w€!r,eother con sidera tlons, The maximum use of standard gear 'Was preferable, or at least only simple modhtcatlons made to adapt for usebry alrborne forces,

arms S·····m·-~a-I-I
-~ . ,'_ ,. ' 1_
f -:,

: __

~, __ '.::.:1 .·-nd'·'c··r.···w -I s IIV'·'.·· d '·w"e~.·p·ans ·

J
...•.• ,_,

:1-

I __

I~

__ ' .-=-I,~_:_I_'_I__.

' __)

Airborne

forces were comparattvely

small,

to develop'

overly specialized

weapons

it was not costfor them 1J111J.ess absolutely

and

Of

resource-effective

necessary'.

Existing

22

INTROD'UCTION::

AH~BORNE

WARFARE'

A.C-IJCS

SPf.C1AJ_.~.lED AJRDORNE WEAPO'NS, Ti,~e. folding-stock .]Oca~MlAl carbine (la]1 saw llmited use, but many unlts recewved the conventlcnal M i wl th

fixedl wooden stock A canvas holster (lb) was produced feu carrying the MIAl on the [ump, One rare example of a

weapon developed

:specifircal1.yfor paraereeps
was the German ".9,2mm FG4\.2(2a). ~t was later modified w·th a wooden butt and pis,to] gdp and the

bIDfJodmov,ed to the muzzle

(,2b).,At the request of the

Alrborne Command the 'M9 and M9A.Th (3a)vwe,re

d'evelo'ped. Ttrese were

capable of betng broken. down ~Dto two 31ln (7'9 cm)' sections ,t3b) to be carried
I

by a paratrooper
special

in a bag, The BrlUsh .2,1]01

2b

infantry platoon mortar

was 27i.n (69cm) ~ong; a

spec-ial atrborne 2in mortar

Mk

vm

(4,0) was

,wssued, cut

down to 19i..nches (4,8cm) ..

Li ke the bf},sic models, fh.i~ .B,~d '9~ hdn-~o.ng (2,4cm) HE
(4b) and smoke (4e}" ,and

'9~nparachute flare 'ltd)

ro:Ynd.s.,Wl'dle not produced specifically for paratroopers, the Bd,'ti.shNa 82'Grunmon grenade' (5) was so wldely u,sed by Brilish and American airborne troops, thet it is popularty
illssoclated

wl th them. (Peter Dennis © Osprey

Pub~isll1i1lllg:Ltd),

couventlonal weapons were used whenever possible, 'to reduce the burden on the supply system, make traln~ng easter, keep production Une.s open for standard rather than
s,pecjaUzedw~'apoflls,and ellmlnate the need for addltjonal

repalr parts, If more compact

weapons were necessary then conventlonal we,apons might be modlfled, e.g, with fokUng stvcks, rather than developing new weapons, Ww't]1 regard to crew-served weapons, [dderr

and therefore Ilghter, though less capable modelswere sometlmes substituted fer current stand,w,d models. In other instances currently available weapons already bunt for

Am~ORNt used, suce

alsoady

spectauaee guns. ~1ll8

I

IJUrpoSe5 ,",~1[J'011~

were \\~re

as mountain rksign.zd
10

SLins

or pack mom

<!ITI-III-I!"ry, aJlll[l<1Ct,

\\'1!"Jl;J~ infantry .mtl GJI1.LI_llle or

Such broken

be li&llter,

down

in to smauer

com portents

fee man-

or an i m~L-lmcb;ing.

In Itlally Lt \.... tell I hill ri n~ and other individual weapons \~"1.'1e100 bulky to auach 10 .LI~ p-aJ"<!ltroapc~ \~'hen jUln!Jill&. They posed u ~rC'ty J1..Lt.."..iIrd, 1]\(' wcapoa rnlgtu become iJS enti!Jllgtt'd in the dCIJr-OYil~g parachuI(" o-t mture the jtll11jl(!r as uc carrtcc oot the hard, rolltrtg I.LJ1H..Lir._g mrlOSOO t)y i)ilr.adl uL(-,S ..nm ~riod, lndlvldual weaporu -vould be d rcppeo In J oJ separate OOrU~.ii1NS. along wil.h n mmunttlon :;m4;lsupplies~ far th.!:s. t(-'a.:so'J1 oCiIrly paratroopers Oneil jumped armed oflly wllh ~ p1S.0l iiIIJ!ld few lU!Jnd gren n d:c:5., S~IlJ..m.a~111l1:"-8\1ns- were ,;t ~ read)' more oom paer, tJ:iOIJ,B:ll etten beavter tha n rmes, n nd ro!(lII1a....s,1CII;ktypes ,5:LlOl ,a~ ~ he I Germ .. !!! MrJ.SJ~O senes could be canted on tho lump, Some hiillr.! detacheble ~tQCk..,\ such as the MH~o gien, iillIIO\\flll8 them to be IJ,utly clis.. ~.cDlbl~1 u ror the jump_ The US M I ri1'l(>amid iI:<!I~!ly IJ.e- broken down into 1"'0 00111 pCI-llt-l'i.t:5.utti ILtmpOO in iI ll:Jdtkod contatncr. t Tue $tamlnrl! bctt-acnon nncs used b)' lIIo~t coururtcs multi not so cil~il)' be limn'"]t down, having cnc-ptccc uccss alJiim\ as Lon..g as uic usscrnblcd wtiil'0l\:>.; no:)l~ft!lcll"jS, rifles .ccre :Wllltl tmes j urn pt.'d il~ combn, I\'ith vnrymg degrees of SUCC('j$,m~j11bloo weapons \\~te usually secured 10 the IOtsO above the reserve, I...hlch provtded more psoreeuon the

.:0

j urnpcr

(JJlcl

~\"'e3I)011"i I"'M round [

to be 1II·!)cJvlsed to

S~J(-,

the weapon

under

I he p:n3.~111 te

hnmcss, as the -OP'C'Jl i n~ ~hoc.k[amrned II II'u.o. he Ilimper's ti1.~t. The US flelded a filet!)1 fol"i;U atock for I he "",[1 carbj ne. 11\C'Se were ng
tndl ....od.u~l weapons l
U~ .1 nd

abou ~ 1111: r)' such on ..guns-- Othoe'J~ ~_lmpl}' to the

I.LI

tlel(lt:4

r'Or parmrocpcrs,
LI mp

ether containers

than

sub-macbme raatened

sra nderd d rQPpi!d!

rLl1i1;!~, nd developed! ,a
(If1

th.1 t \~~e

rnpers

:s.lo:lc

a shon

lower! I"\'Ji

n& line
('J'iI

once the paruchme roil tamers

OIH!rll2t1,

to protect the

jUllll1'Cl"

from

in j UJ')' by I hi! weillJOn

J.il rILling.. 1tl('

were

u~uilily

pi1tk1't-d so protect

hoi h I he jumper Ma-tI'lille-:!:lou.rls

arid wC'apoll.

ano OJ Urceneuc rules W{!tCO a dm(,len L maucr. 'i1l('y Illighl be capaere of lX'ill& broken do, .... bu! were h.NLVY arid b'ulky, and Md to be' dropped n in separate ecmmners, along wnh mortars. ;\1,'1.dli ne-gu n.s with detachable qurck-change 00 nels 5l1M a! lhe BWjj.h Bren and GefID~l1 MG34 could be lumped ill; eoillJ~CI cent nhters, ,'l11(1the Iapa new developed a take-dcwn version of t 11~1 standa rd i'ype 9'9 Ughl machme-gun. r Antl-tank (An 'L'I.'i:01.pGllS \~~~;J mater problem. F.arly In the ~~·.lr most o;:ourI.rl~ l,lsed an AT rlfl"-t:;these w~~ 11o[!",aVY, \\riol!'My. unaete to be bmken down, and !,lTI,5:LI i ted ror lumping UTI even in drop con tatnen, A mcrfcen bazookas were bu! "y, bul ll:g,hl enough to be jumped. albeit with dirticlrJlly until
iI

ta~{!-down

vernon

WiU developed.

Because airborne un its. e~pN"i.il.lly p;LI ralrocpcrs, -vcre :50 I~h tly armed (and i n pan iJ:5. a ICS:JCY -or tile (lri.gina.1 concept or the! r c-m pfoymcm as (:[}mllliJl~doM)1 tlt{'y were nttocatcd a high pt'Oi>ortiol1 of sob-mncmnc-guns ~ nd Ug.lu mcemnc-mns. Tlus \,·,U parucu I..,'] r]y helpful, since I.hey were onen rot\X"d to right 11'1smaU, sea ucred groups, They were also arn ]J'.ly provlded '"'1111 hOI1(1and r! tle gren,ad~s ,a11(1 (I~molu Lon charges. Aru..l·I,'lllk grenades .;md: m Ines were wl(I~ty ISSL!-C'd 21f1ertort too make LLp rQr • he de;)rl h of AT \\'e:Jopo:lls. bu. In
were poor subatnutcs. to USi!" .j] II weapons A knirol!"or 1:t.3~'Qn~1 .LInigl'lcd
10 \\I',iL5; EiI~

cesenuul. well ~

1'i1I'<!1~roolNl"$ !J!o..-t:~abttuauy h

teatned

their

un i t.

('n~my

typel-/)y Ilr(o:lrJtf}'lfJ(![J mlM !llIiJ"J

I"r.I(rmtl)'

grJfJ1 l~~'fi"'light. mrtl' ~mi['"

mmftliCf. 5Jmpllfln~
hr rlrp.mjry mrju:

oilrWlrry' pms ~m.W

otrliIoit\'}?JN'"lr.

jrl $llm~ lmlrj~S_

I NTROUU

cno

N; AI RiL50ItNE WAR FA RI:. TA crtcs

Support weapons
1(1 throt)'. heavier wcepcns .!>uCll as AT .W •.II-I:5.,. li~,rll artillil:ry ,I nd rl'trnlle~ &1J (IS cou Id IJ.e dmiJIR'd hy pamchute. Trlis required constdcrable ail'Ci'aJI space. Li11t.i W-CiJpo(IS nud to be 11'1(-' t.lToj..elL 00w11 inw 111J crous components m - transport aircra fl ~ITi !"ajJg.atC doers 1.I't-Ie 110L til )'~'LJ.I"~"J.I::J.I('. several compouems The of a di:s.a~mbled crew-served ..... 'capon were dropped ifl cpecln! containers 01 i:J.LI ndtes. Amnl\lllill,(JJl .;:Ill.di gun eqcjpmem h n d ~o be dropped as \1'l!II, ,,'11lcit ~1..JltOO In ;3 {'Of1 ~I(I~ .. btc number of t;onl anes to locate, m-ove :)f1Q ,lM'emble (jon 1111:" - 'll~ys uZ ~~j."'!'Ylll'\Ethnt ;'III lI;"'Ompone'fls -LOtlld be rocnc and \\.'en: undamaged. t useeuv btin~ The o(:lly ftown IImU('"d
;J

srn nl] n umber <!IVo11.jJIII II tr of i

of such crew-served

...... capons

w~rl: dropped,

If <!In},. the bu Ik

In. by &ll(l~r or

transport.

iI rhlll!ry ,Ill.:.! ht.'<!I'r')' lIIorttJ.r:; n(J1 Qnly TCS! rtctco tOE! emcunt Of easeutts, 1m! Hrnncc ddcll;!ii~·t fll"(!~ and countcr-buttcryrcocnterUS Lind I:J.ritish LJ1.t{j me 7S-mlll pack howtrace, rompa1..'1 and {,.L5ily tnolW'n dD~""J\ ill to SCT"{'nco mli)(;II1tI1 ts, ThC' Gcnnn r15 'lls.t.'d moo nl:Li n E!iJttli il1 rilmr~guns, i Iloth compact «eapous. 'rne GCflllilllS also made jimi[oo usc of ecccnlcss gens, which they cilll~ 'light gYn:5.'. SIll;)1I (SO/60jYIou a nd medium (81/82..nlm) mortars ....core also \"I,d,t:!Jy ' used Dy atrbome troops, since th€:y too could be broken down rruo con-pest loads 'or droppjng ~n-ctmnn-paekl ng, The :)Ir.clropped equfpmen l contlllJlers were usuatty sltIJ1g 01'1under-v ...I1a.shackles or I drQPj>N rrom bombers' b!)~ Whlll1: Ih~y ml8J1t also be 1JI.I~1100 Oil! Ihe doer with the

iI~ support
il1OJI~T

fer ground

c~p<JbiljtiC'S. Tilt

tumpee or

foll(Jw~ng..

th 1;5. e5UIl~ T

In more di~llcrsion..

II "r.as more ~fllden t to drop

I he

external racks at tlw seme tnne as the troo~ [LLmpOO.. despttc the danger lumperS. and equipment roll idi l\g_ Comu! ners were usuntty constructed comb! nations .or :J!umln lu rrt, p.l~'.fJIOid,wicker and padded canvas. They mlg_,ht be extema I!y colon red or coded 101"~tlry I their contents - oC"oiImoofla,glng OOIOUTS hampered recovery, T~e contents !l,jjd LO be pad:d~. and a ()iI(ldl!;!d 'OJ(;ollap.s.0s.~hod:-ah~orb'n_g W5!11on "'~5 pre ....ded on rhe
t.-on.t~ln(!'J~ from

Dr

us prml'("lm~
~ 7Srltm «mJ[J'JnoNrl

I?lrjlli'J}?Jl'("rJ f."I'd:.lrfiwflUf

('(Irlr,.:rjr.llY1i

kfim.'

jrjji~Jr.in81jTt'rJrttJl.uuI't'r.I'I~

51Jf!dJN..U:SfjjTll,.t~ii7i'It.lfut.n
'1'{INldbl-.I~·lfj~,ru1l1rlJ<' flfrru.fOO1."I!lSI'l-t:ilTM~/{JI!t~r""" lhM)'

bdNj rluJ1rmr atrlrd

1iI1t'S1!" il'I!'..

~wIl't'I'?lj'tt'lI"I:i.Irl(,lil~

IfUfiJnt

f1{

00f1m',

lr'rlH,(YIIJmrjIJL'I!'):f'f<tr1SUpfHy

JffifJCOIfMII~

AIRBORNE

A RrfiWI

rdfLjrch

IrgJrj t.il'i'll<

tI( 6r/r AIIOOnp,r Oi'~.Jf[lilI·J

jI'filOOl'm.'dT«G!ll'l'lIjl~IIC.j" 1"t.il'.ll\"Nri.JNrJi'(.Iordi .. tfr'lff1P(j Jifirili.l'ml"gI.idw.1i11laft:!1

nf'IXiprjrfi.Jrllrr-Trlrojl'{"/r,lIr.iJ: II"'ir~r1rt- I"'IX.-... j gti,w ~mjlI loy tJr.fAllIN, .,\l.th ~ 1Ii~.rwp.;;IlI of 'wtt tol6J~Jj, ,m ml~~ 1'i"i.'~I'oIa(j6ro.o,.s.. iialll1 {l'llYfolrdiJfi'·8roruGBIS.15 1W1.~I!JSj: ,j l!_rthI!,lJIk, rll !11-l;.! mrrkn, fJl"li 2.SpdTPIJ111'J1Ii·~rz.iV,'l1rr-8riJjSh,~fI[pr(}~
1m'ol' Mrffl"

iml1a~1:!d by ~luclde5: ,mr;! 10 be carrtatnc on the ground b)' two ....'("re f ueo ,,'II h sman dctnchable wheels 10 ,lliow them to be pulle(l -off the DZ., but even moo,e1'~.oI:vegetatlcn and rough &TOLInd m.;1.{~ t hIs lru pracucal, In ,14;1.4;1 ttlon to door bundles. lumlN~ I temseives weee hoi tom end of conmtners. c,up.ilhllltl!?5, L!i2~kk,!,;tho Ilrdcnblt~7.~ .LI nrl

...... '"4!"lShl II m ttartons SoOnl,e

pamchmc

II was

tor a

contatner

rnert. certO!!lfI!), no more 1 b:;1TI

ron r,

to

oIN~

reeowry,

somm! rnes tllter:! ,,'11 h dmp Joaded [umper \'i,'ould

con tal ners for crew-served

Rl<lTI

wea P'D"TI£ or $1.1ppffes. The he,iIo lr .... dlrfl1;1.llt

be

the first

In tho;;!door, stoce It was extremely he woukt 'fall' 0\11 rather than

to

move

1EilI)idty in a bouncmg.

crowned

ilircratt:

jump,

and

release

I'Ifr~

2f'i".~rJ J,imti
tJMj
l,mdiJV>~

Ifl Na.r.lPJm""~ mrd r~

$llml1f'(l1/~~1)1oU) Irt:lPI"Rt.iII;·jt.leprtnirio."rjMr.lH'

~11Pf"Jr1 jrlll"/l rt·,.llJotcd by

~ •.l'IlIrJ,W7jJrmfCr)JlNl'il'rj •.lH'dNm,

Ami-tiiKlidt '\·t',upons II'Cle ~p.tCii1l1y im ponum. as dq)!oycd airtomc I roo~ were \I'U I nC'r.jjblc 10 ~ir i!ltI:.tIC'k. Such 1\~lX1IU tire rLe.Li.~'y, bulky and r'tQuire a 8JC'-i1I dCLII of "mill u nil ion, Thts Itmned them 10 small-calibre 01 LOlilaltc can f1O.nS u and heavy miJC"hil~1.."'_ ~"jlj en 1\1\ moen ts, delivered by g)idei'S O~ I rarupons. E.rrOrt:5...... made LOina koe 1.rIC AA -ere 1\'(N'IIJCIf!'5 capabfe or auu-tank 'USE us well, though ~h("i.' mall ceubre \'oi',U:;:i IImiti:uio.fl s jiJ. this 1"0111:. US dlvtslonnl ',;mH'!iIIIKr-;ln bat t;)lIol'I' !n r~cl had th"O ,,\11. b30tterles w'11h ,.5~1 to.t2. TIle millr:;:.hlnc-·gUJlStend 1.lIIer, "'Om rn r;;mnon); oil nd t\~"O AT teuertes. wI! h the :5 rmm M l AT gun. (The US :57mm was a Hccnsed !;OJ)]' of the Rrlt1sll 6pdr AT gun: It \\,iII~ Ioend that sll&ht di ffercncea
.gUll.!. .... erc -

Mn.b.. 111't" rn?o:.r ~IoJi'ltr

jl~rlFl'5 ~ro;'P.i

in di!':Slgn allowed issuccl to li_,\ airborne

the RrLII!i.h ... rston e divi:s.iolU.)

to Ilt Into gLbj-l!"i":s. better • and t 11I~Br1tlstl

W~;il~

j~~IIl'IIoJ3WrjillI00li!"'"

,sJid'L·r1vt'll"a.rnriol(oro;rb.k'"rml jIJL,r.rnmrbrirlo:",rpoIDlirJryrrn_1 ff'411IrloollnrIN",'lt)hr:l~1.i

jIJ,'~fqn.

@fC'nSi~ly

cffcns were mndc 10 {[("1.,NOP Eilir-dclivcn:d liShl armoured veluclcs, stncc it wa~ fell even a srnalt number or ughl l:a.rlM mi.ghL gfvc ilir-ddi\':uetl unns II-lOr{' or an edge and otre!l~h~J:y. No cffcns -ccre m~r:k" 10 LiirtlWj} ItI.I'i.~S;most couu mes dCSiSJi{"d utesc Ln fi'l::N\("S 10 be dclfvered by 11(".jJ,"'Y glidC'~ or I.LI:IJ\Spo.rtS,rrue snusn nudlcd M autogyro to!nk, and 111(" ovreu a 1;3 ~ nueo wI! h ,glider Wjj'lgS.) The rN!.Llty "',j'ij. H'mt ;5.u,ch 1iglnly s n
Some
It1iU

Lj·l'nWDUCTION; .. ·

AIItIlUItNE

Wi\RfAltl!

TAC r ICS

;JfnlflU~ ",,-otUi e1l:1rcme! the 'Y

and ilrmoo
dcvclopmen

tankcttcs till and

emllID)'tti
heavy

ill $.]11<111lUIllbc'[$ were r resources

of

ttnte

value. and
since

hO!lrdly

airlitt

I riC)' dcrnnndcd,

I riCO)' w;zre

In :Uflr 1941 JIJL'I.IJ1r ... r~

r~'t'Pn"t'l11j~ hJW" ~

vulnerable to ('(IC'I'-IY tali K.!i alid Kr weapons. ln • nco vtty f(;'I\' maenccs where ~lidt.'N.I~1 i... 'd I;jjJl~ ·!m.. -sere employed, I heir ccmrtbu tiOll '~·<L.S snon.nved, On .11COeWr'ilil1g or D·lJ.i.tf. 6 June 19.,oi. the 8ri!isll 6tb Aii"oome J)iV'is,iOll in NO:n1i.'lI1dy ,~\~ ti;g,rll lMr'" rdl Mk VIJ ll.gJ1 ~ li:iI1.J.::S the dfvtstonnl reconnatssanee reg_jj1l,!:.(l~, dell~red by tlililliLl','lT ~R'j}ry glfden ..Some use I"""j atso mi)~ of l!gll' a rmcured C31'S and ~r!)r,koo (;;lri'ier:5. h1.!lrIJf"JHI~ rceces,

re ,i.2

ClgimlSI1d4Y.f/nl("()jp.;ynm {(If" r~ p1'IJIJ1'('(1 jmHt.H-", ~' Hfi.rdi.rt.

WiljrJ'lJoIf.l'loo~of

0'
In

2:2101rs.,ltrot!lJ.c"'o/
'20,rjrJ,,~rjil!~lj'TN{1$

ljrproZOO • .&.innrWNC}' oj"1'i.1Cl~IIo~)(II'"""J' S.&m

br.!,jj C.lWt'~"liJi'rf.P.lJllNronth.lj' pn'{:' 1'1)'1 ,JI}II"l'Irjt",p,J-<'"fwlj~

In ;III ":<ltcogorl~ I'.... '~t.. were f\ghl

~.!o .5oupparl ;!I

of \\"WjJOn:s illl.an.f)'. pack

;;IIv.jlII.[l'!Jlo:;! otrbome to
;!I

troops, I t "'~5

IIm1tiXI

number} for .LIItome r

!IInod 1~11L torces combat 1.0

glcen ••1 nd I his

posec

pr~_}le(Tl when
oI;.!~~

necessn ry

oonvenuona! Llnil:50 such with and 7 Suun more

such

IL was

necessary

to <!I11.L1ch ;J(klUion.a1 Dlvlsjon ccheron forces

Nl7IYi'lI'brr
p!)11"t'mj

'942 l't'l"iiGllr.

IjJ,~ ~j,r'"1.TNJo:ilrr" rr-......:o..r J2.~I) ....

es AT, ;\A end nowneers, hownzcrs

.1rm01JT. but once wenl

Thl!" 62nd many

Ahoorni!" utrbomc tna't

in ~'Qrlll.LIntly \'Io'~1b
1\,"(}1J

d('ployt.-d

me sea-del iv cred
Oil

arrjved I hl".!:iI!'l\"i:rl: ' were: ji·ro\!j(Jet! ld

GWmt mmi."' mt_oO ~f1.~ I!.illr .rtKG r h~f J2"J ,Ii tJ .flrojr.j~i~
1~'UI.l(ili. mpo1M~

rt'pl.LIcC'lJ'IJ,:Lt11 LUSmlii

.. A~ nmc

of 11{tiJ1g

neav iet

abu rldant

"·c~pon~.

ill rOCtJ&lioil ton

ill all

prubilol1iJ i ty I hey

remnl n on

I he ground

10 fig.l1 t (011"\-"('(11iOMlly.

~bi:ttlt IS IIHIJ. 1'm' IokJ2J£ l.I(r:!ihl<l4lrjfi11jf}'Io",rll,.

j(jtGo!l'j;lJ.lrl"ljIJ~JIJ"'W:

.1-"'" (11'1 thr

/I.~.k'rJ'r,Ir~'J rr-NUI~ro:.\III

~rml

Equipment
tn • he ({'<11m 0' tillU Nt'lll pmem asrbome (OI'('(!:!1 W{!tCOpi'-O" lded v wU h even more ;5.pedali:red

Rlil{i,jJ"j hIP/".
II

~rI~

IIJL'
iI'S

II

11~'.5 nrI'I"f

~1.rp1CJ}-w1

~1i{v~"1tJ-';l

r~

(jill ..··lm"..

matertet

han wll h weapons,

{bN"d..1IIfJll1r

oI!Ilt'11Nlr.1J

"

~\IRI:J,ORNE. ~~i~ny trnpenam area, L'corioo rndi,Q.5 I~te neevv, bul'ky, short-ranged. Long-range radlcs c.1.p.j].bl~or M,,),fse ,COO(! even he~vlll:1; th~}' needed heavy tcnenes Uor 11·lllr;h replacements b~d
was i!.n generators end erectton did of Ions wlrl: antennae. and they -oould and not most ~he 0p'[I'I».'l e 11;11..1 ractertstjcs to I..".h;'lt W!)S

Corumuntcmlons

tempcramcnmt.
to

rf(tgLt~ .'!I"I(I QJi<e'I'l; or power

~r{llmml:'i..~]om, \,re~

iJ.I: carrtcdj
EffOrt~

be O[I'I:J:JI('ti 011 the needed. airborne

move!" - In 01 her words, cxncuy radlcs

to !l(o!,.·t'lop SLIi table

1101 OC-.LI111..1 L un til iilt{' i [I thi2 war. r i

tOl cres IlM Icw. h~ tre-uu it radlo ccmm u nlcancn W~~ also i:jj('-nliaJ tor t."U1IJmu nd ano {"OJ" uot as elemee LS were SU ~~'idel]' sca~ tercd t]tilt gOI:K1 t."'0111J]'UJ\LC<ltiOii~ ~1'C1~ necessary to eoordmare their as,s('mbly, Pleld relcphcnes were ot li!Uco until uic unn assembtcd and esMbll~hcd dcof(-'ilS.j\'~ pcsntons. An 'C-SP'C'Cially pone ru need fot radlcs lm
I,.I~

exjstedro

illr.lo-grOl.Jlld 11.LI1'11:'1 codes or dus!)_

cornmunrcauons. ~ (lro~.

10 request

31f10

eoorotnate

1I;1o~e ~h support

and

resu p'p'I}'lreln torcemen

M.a rurer
were

to mark
Some

the

.11rtoene sttuetjons

terre's

loca

tlon5
Dr

;1.0(1 1I;('.!rn:i!)' ~IITI ili!" messages p

(r.11Il, as ~isn.jll to were canoptes

or liioiled mtat, snow

usc in fast-movtng

• .LILnishi, panels

poor weather conrnetons nliltk Ul1iL position~ smoke

tog.

Iorccs d{,\lise-cli a means by frierldly" limi rauons

ot u~ill& pilrillCrmle

pcnets • and nauonar

preecru 1 heir ~I ng

flaS,S- Or cclour-ceded

were used sc

.mac"-C'd
1I5~~ to

i OC,,, fl" Sigi1,:!J flairCOj ano coloured In rom man i,eating mformatlcn. 1')' tntormauon or

l'Ii'Id..my used. but b:;30 the! r own of .5:lgl'I,ll Iilm]» pI8,eon~ hfgher
'I.\,'I:~

Va.W:"lJS types

tmnarn

i L rud I menta

Morse code; even earner

be ILsuccess, to fly
LI,.j]

were u-led. The IImlt'C'(l an-di \J nrollilJlle he':H.lquilr!cn WC!ri! lilrgEly

rom munlc::U

lon 5 ;;:i\litU~hlll: 'Often mean ~ 1h n t on the ground. Into rters.

In t h I:' dilrb; .LIS10 I he ~.ll ueuon uncommon nr oC1Ci1ri'-l&arid flyiu&

failure or Jl'l"Cd for rcsu !J.P']y- It \\T.LI!'i. not iJlirhco.aili, I<lIliliog vartous to mark rulOUKo-d .11ight 10 on a crude ilin':tri!) means \,'erl!' ni1r("..!i and :!>hi1~

for Iia 1!i.QJ1/:5-pt)lter ui rcr.ufl m{.~~

bile!.;.to nt!~tk-I

!,1~tI

by e~r!y-.,'! rrtvl ng path tlndll:fS to m ar~ DZs, OT I!fts-= special fi ["(: IXltS, redfo and beacons. coloured :§.j:snals, marker E..... ten

IJy

the' (1 rst W;!!'Ile,5. 51S"ill lamps, .LIranged r tn

DZ/L..Zs for schsequent smoke

':;:OOe-!lil~hlnB panels Wi rI~

III ight be set i1'LlI.rJ.:: Dl{I..2.s~ or bombers III igln drop i rt~rl(hi1ry bcmbs at pI"CdC'tcrMillt.'d ~Xlill ts as gutdc rnarkers, Signals. ....'COn:! lso arranged to waru off <li rcrafl, cancet uns, Or t.I il'l'C! th{!1Il a !O [}ltoC'n'lii DZl[Zs, te II nother m:;ljQr weakness of a i rbcrne forces l11,ooility. i, VJute theu a jr-de! i ... rable e C"a~bU!ly gave them an unprecedentedty mpld ;5.H.JtE!,&lc reach, once on the g.roi..!nd IIl(-'y prcdC'tclilliI1ti1 Or ICUCiS to idcfUi!)'
\1I',aj.

~lX'Cii'i;;:DZ/LZs.

nul

W(!rl!' reduced millil)' \ ..as that couvcnttonat everything

'''1;(:

to root iudividual coumcrpens,

infant!)'_

Whllll:

popularly orten ill rilll try

vb~\IW

{IS 'Ught, 11~vny supported

,swlfl hy

and (I~-dl}", • ban h2ld to share (milling

the th~J

pilraIToo~~ COl' v cnnonat had least for

jumped or tartfcal

i n mere
""'"(!J;:::

burdened
iI

100i~tk.il.1 I.LIII from

J1~.a.rby su pply pcmts

ano

SOme degree rllr

transport_

Paratroopers irleluiliJ\g" the

carry
ol'the

mey
.... ater, z

neeoco,m neeoed radlo

usc

Hr.5.t rCOI~' days,; ammuunton.

iU110llfl'l.S

crew-served and trucks

5'Upp!ies, As with uumpons, vehicles cltcn 10

bonertes,
Iighl

v."(.'0'1X1ru., every o.Il:~r

an~'t bi,gscr cOLl!I.tJ!not

p-i!iTJiI·I'"OOpL'rWil~ and "viul"bt-C' mlsfl

to

teach

111m 10 commandeer uct hillS muc-tl

demoh'ioll.:s~ necessuv. f';;ltl of 111ng of use.

ffili\C'j, ~iQg could a jeep

ruuorrs,

metljcEliI of a

arti 11t.'1)" e v-en C'LltI' then L have to each

be dropj)!!i!d, I hen

ddiver-c-d 11i2 flown aLorl.g with

by

s,l1t:!e~ or

111. The r(!W am rnunntorn for one Jorward

1~"e'IC cssC'mii1~

tor tOWlJl.g artillery weapons gre~ll)'

Lind AT gum, in I u rn, as tJt{'rt ability to

uiey

too

sh LIulc several

tile'

(le<.lI,i3Ilet..!

ptece.

This

urn! Led tne

were not coriougl, snsptaee ..... 'Capons

INTItODUcno;-..";

AIRiioORNt.

W,.\RfAltE. rxcncs

(i:urirlPl Ihc· ad'lfilncc.

J.

or to rcposttton

them

.qukl;lr

to where to

till:)'

'III..i:"!"c

needed.

This W<L!i th rum

survive. To U1Ei1ke atters ~1'UlSe, m mover. IllOSI only .a~lllmooiltin& u Sii'lgt~ ncavv weapon Or a vctuelc. J\ small number or vetuetes might beu:sru to corry tong-range ;}i'ld atr-tc-grcund rildLoo rOr the command youp, C;'I.ptllrt.'"tl mil .. a ry .j'i n-d commandeered clVi Ii. n vchtctes a 11-d!even bones a f1d wagons a \o'.C'I'~ 1I'~11J.!blco assets, :;IIn.{I .helr eeqelsnlon W.l:5. OilSL~~d In ptnnntng, .lltll.olIg~ Lt could O never he expected t lut su fflclen l 11umbers \V"OlI!d fu II fmc I he hn nds or [)iI~~ roopers. MOIOK"p::les, (YIOlor-$Coot0C15 nnd bl<:yt"loe5 \YVIeocc3slon3llly drO[)j)I!d or sJ'der.lanoded: some ""'ClCO made ccttups! blc to pack 111to eqefpmen L contatncrs. These had some 11 tility for mCO.).i€llboC'IS scouts, but did not Improve overau mobLlily_ Colt.a~ihle push-cans m!OC" and also 1ned, btl~,Ii k~ wlicCioo droll com . ! ncrs,. tilt')' were or Ii rninxl cffecttvcncss. a Eng,i l1~r iiquipfllC'IJ1 was another .;JCriciiincy expcrtenccd IJjI airborne rOH.~. Airoome oCn&inee~ nilleJlifl'liLed c~pab.L.~ib ~or bn.'«ilil\lo!: ous •. cfes, MlllPOrl.'ii'~ :J~tlhs a or ~1'L)' type (ir rorut ructtcn. J\ key rotc 1~"'{JoU lei be rcpat riilg cal)1 LI red a tenetds, bu L they hLid liu rc pO"'cn:tI cqutprnent to aeromplisJl uus. (-'~11 ir.jj, su.l-:Jble atrsutp ~XI5"'oNI10 allow landtng them. I.jglu lJollll{lo~C'r5arid some power lOOJ:5.oOOol..Ild d~~I~rOO: by n Irl I't, bYI hcavtcr tI'I: equllJffi(-'[lI sucb as gfoil{ieT5, ollers, dump ~rucks. power shovels. etc. beo 1:0arelve cvertand. r
onfv the 11~wil::"::.t"-,J1go gLidC'rS. ,,-"Uuld carry txnh
i!I

.5t!\"t!w ti..alJ.ilI1")' ..... til AT ·w"t!ill:!DlI:5-,. ich -i wh and .tJi~placed 10 ancrnme tiriilg I~ti[)m

hiltl to be: lXl~ihom::d

ml)idt)'

to 11H.'"Ctthe

ill ceder

gUll and its prhnc

Later doctrine
Till.!' Germans ;5.110"11W th~ I\'.ay LO J1t01C' ambihoUj mrbome Qpoe13110ns wnh the 1941 mvaston or Crete (sec pp. 76-127), whtch Jnvclved - ~f{«.lvely - a dfvlslcn or (oor tt:g:imenl'50. However. the Germans used II\e 'Inl.: spot' concept o~ (lr.oflpll"\E numerous sm:;ll!! un Its ~ i}.1 nn! torts. ,omp1ln'es Clod even pl3ltooru. - OH!'r a 1.1 rgol: iU~1. 10' seize se~'3I1
oIJ[«1 lves. rcnrcn In cent or east forces to normal German mllltill')' doctrt
11.1!,

which idea

emphaslaed W<!~ more

1 he

a kl n to Napoleon's '('-I\gEil&t! 1he "-"n~my everywhere end Ihen decitk" what 10 do" In 1-1001101and nd £l.tlgium tlii:5. hEileJbeen SulXt.'~.d1J since rcststance w-ihS li&rll and msorganizttt I. It will~ onmhce ffiLiILC'1' 011 Crete. where it C'OS.1 the hlllsthirmj1ig'CT dearlY, ALtJ1.Ol.Igtl tilt(' ISrLtjS..l\ Common .... I til derences I~"(!-l(-'nctmcr S.r0I'1g nor well Ot_gilnlzoo" the Germans losl some: "Nj 15,0(10men, Inch.lding <I i.rcw\~ a Ild the- <Lt1(-'mrH(!(1eaborne phase Intercepu:d by the Roy<I.~ s N,n,),_0 nc QU t of flve t 11~foallscl:!iJmuli ppen commmcd were kJ lied a nd some 350 al ocraft \\'C'I~ 10$1, Ln,!ul1lo& 15.2"3IIU30I}I~ rmaspons, The (!"11.'VI~O!I&oed efrbome esseuu on M03lt~ was Cilonc(-'It~(t because or ree-s ot e repeat (.a.
tmr ion for the rna In effort {SLJJ"''i'rpjl.fjkll, this

or

declston

l\1hich

had

dire

consequences

for ./-b;;l5 tiJ'gLst I~ In North !UrlCil., r.!'Il.agi;od' by Rrl thll

sebmannes and o1in:ro1f1from Ihal Lslilnd}. Art~r crete Ihc Ckrmilin:5- oE:X{!C1Jti!{L.s;h paracbute opoer,:i Liolu .. but only (me ill more I han D.iJ ttal Lon strength. TM exception W<I!§.on Sidly in J LJly L9'43-, when tilt 3rd imJ 41h Fallsch i nn j.tigi!T R'l.'gimcms, a Ill(Jcll i rle-&uJi. banetton and a jJi[JoI"1~r banalton were dropped il'l ever four dii)':5.as rcinforcemem~. The- ether drops were e:sscnll.,~lly spectal oceauons. M auack .oJ'I a uow cppcsmg nahan hcadquancrs, SoC'i2ul'C'S 1\\'0 .s;m3l!l ista ncs, n raSd on a Yu.go.staViill1 pannan headqua ners, a nd a di~,.si(maty operatton dllfll1& the Ardcnn.~ ofr~nsl~ - of whtch the 1:;115.t'L'.'O rened.

or

AIrtBORNF,.

The Western Allies

II
'L'I.';"I~

11m" recogntaed

that commanco-sype
th,jl L pcrachute ror rm~
Ul1 til

unns """"eremore
end gilder • roops more {lcd~IVII:
21Jld

errecnve ~or cotldl!('til"U;: the

\I""II:r~ ~l freq11'C"lltly ~lJ!.ng small smaller 011 SiCily corn mil Led h~ AIII~

ra ru smau.scale significant, n"l't'"iiflJI't'"JIIl}.lrpi'li""m'im~p:r. 1111 \6ffl1WloIflr'lIIr.siIrl'SOJ.rJ 1 "'ll,I"{Im_~llif.:.mjl',.JI'Io"S;JI'J~Jrl'j, i1S1.It£llr"",Cu.rll;:i:'.illbrfI'Jrr-1'L'" .-6 F~bnl'W)' HM5. 11I't' W Im~t'"..l"Jrr-I',III·i'r JJPJldl. oWL':i!Mlll W"r tA¥i ~Nlj
~Jmpp1NL'5 Oi'J mi"rn;I

r<ll(l:5o,. nd a seldom ...onal l

<I nd

concentrated were rear

numbers
II121f1

Iarger-scate
were ~.N rcttcved their

operartons,

cperaucns
1n th~ no.

thcrcence
('(IC .... iy's

srnener sfec. Such them

T"e.8Imll:l1t~1 silo!:

of dh'Lslon!ll1 or 11nil~ cnu!d drcpe, the

("1,.·CIJin.dh-divi l acccmpnsh US and

5t1i.t.~

rOT

kl!)' oblccllv~

holdilJ&
Ei

I~I grou lUI forces!>tilyilJ;!J.power,

til i:.;- it was ilrih.sb d iotstons, dlvlslons mjxcd

Jll i~ioJl

demanding had

opera no .. s also i US 82:nd

in itiill IlrolJ.leiilS, Opcraucn many

The

in North

,.\frim
a i rboene atrbcrne

Jll~L With

S.uCCC'Si, h'l

J'l..Il;'

1'94~

IlrJsky

in .... ~·CtI o! ro(I~PL

rwo
or

brj'.i(lliI'J,SJ,. 4T"rr1boid~lo(lJ

Lind ISril is!'"1 l S-L, IJ.u L 1M

LO ·quC':StiOfl

5S(.I'JllJ6Srn' dlmJropp1JJS1'J!lJoMjfilrlr~
-Ilrl ffll" ~il.i'.. h}. l]:,jr~<rFl'1in1kr'IJ(f7':'rfI1il'l rMn'I)'/J(,t.It2Sr"tphll'imI!>..

!lU-C-mpLil1g large-scale ~:ry 'I\'i@ly

P,;IT-;lctnll-C•roops were

oreraeens, eiLifig peranets wnn Crete. ·llle sCI}UetOO nnd 'el\' l1l.;:i nged to re.'loC'htheit objceuve <LtX":Is.. n
.. 0 per «'fU or one g! i(l4:fS wen t (lO\\lTI !i;IIIlQ Ing (OTOO;5, did rcgfment's eranspons. Casualtlcs t he expected and were over 11igh,

Panl(;l..,), AIHIX!. rUIIV.jl1 AiL {Ire downed hill f of the Br! t 1;5.11,1 r-ln n(ll~g . and in mo:r;1 Im1 ancas the alrbomc The 0pt.r.jJ tton brlg[td~''s I he emph was no!

i\"r!\·rthorJ.r5J,. thr 1lfIl'I,;l!1M I'IYl~., ~1~\1fjrl ~x.rm,* rif

11 p.;;JfriChute .:.mi~I,;md,

orrshcre.
not receive

rtncus

support

jll'll.t

~kI~

oi
C~

I roops. A D121lm problem \vlthou1

.... 1ne poor tra i nlng 'iII5 Us benert ts, however,

and I;OI}Hlln:;!l1ton of i)lrUn a~ I he \\,I(llI:ly scattered

ao

I;\:TRUIJUCTIO""'::

AIRlmR:-.'f..

WARF ... \IU_ rwcrtcs

pol r~tn")O.Il!,.'ts created I~[)n~ w~'re learned.

8.YI!~!

des I or coruusfon

nncl (lI)Dl.;:lse in the been OIYilililbk

German for

["WI

aran. 1\··lany ex perfcncc sqnarfrona

lm1 s! nC-I! no

U_';;; Lr!-I:~ had gl

Hun,.

no

11-a~l:;"Iim'<l in that arae. A mutor r~'el~1 bt!hl~ i'l..llly .1ml in ion of cui>, ()(Jcril tion~ \\'a~ I he jmportancc for .1i mome cperaucus, a hi~rl crews The ... rt.~uirQ{1 rccctvtng oi a i rlift tmmpmt working tlC'gree i'lCCtlN.! in uic ~IJl"Ci fiC.•LII)' I r.ili ned the Jocn tjfi1..~il1iDIJ oi in poor ,·i::oiliiliLy and close ski LI..:s 10

Vt!ly

rnol)(!r.jJ Lion wil h I he IroDIJS. Such 3 n.1.1 I ram! nR jll.;li1lLilif.l rcrmanon tilE' Il.e...::~~sar}' dro.p

operutton when

oi

rti.w:i&.jJnon d.is.ciillil'l(,

landmarks.

AJ.\ tire • and

tJ\C' :l:lo::illto Iliailitilili

enu ude Lii'It.i air speed, GLidi:r lug ('!"(!\\'S iU:C'dOO MditLfinill sI.:.iJJs. il'l f(jirmi.lo!klll ri)o1l\g uud t.i('\~rrn.illil'l,g rercesc pcmn. nccause air"OOme untts were Vi('I\~ as rilSI -mcvl ng, hi! I'd·hil Lii'ig SI ri~ LInilj II!'ith pkfllirLLI crcsc-combn weapons, there I~'M 01 1'I1iitak('T\ tmpresston ~hiUthey would pcoorm ....C"1111l tilt' ffi.11VCilt10ilOiI ground role, li'l [.:1('L Ih("'y ,...."'I'{' reo lightly ' ( e-med, and 1:00 sman ro man tile frontages of nn il'd,111HYdl"j:sjrnl; th~ Jacked ;5,'lJrficl~Ju transport, and dld no. puS"5oe~::' necesseey ;5.lJfJ-port unlts 10 ;5.u:slaiil men. Moo. ermles he-Id to the concept that me aiJoorrl1.: untts would be rencved wUhl1'l n fi'l~U'C'r of days- nner Iln .....up \~·Ltll grOllfld rceces. a11dwcukt rerum •.0 t Il~1 r Il(I;W for ~con;5Hn.lllol1 and pr-l:~l ration for the ne» l 1111:50-51.0"11.
Mmi.!' cnen a 11 tiri the and thnn not. .h!;5, (lIt! necessary 111 convert 11 etso not tlonill In rect occur: gmu n.1j when more tn ml rreops some thnn h:;!i(l been re •• 1.1ned In

I"JI{'oI;i \1,'"(!r-l:round li nc too rlgh~ on

<!I~!'i<luU.5:)_

to d~~IQ]J dlrf1:l;I.llt

the oH~rls,!w, O[l'l:T";;I.tons 1.0 d!~'I;!Ilg~e ~rllish

ill rtome un IL~ "'~~ LIcomminod I'M 1"iI~ conducted ntrtiomc ion. an

[!VC!n conducted rLL vtsfon

.1lI1pnibI0l,J~ move AUkd

proved in [I.lly

a 1"1..'1 ii."villg eli ...tskm alrbome Opot:"1<!11 lens

Forwa rd on cong~L~d 1I1l(.~ oi com IIIunlcet WU-I! um! ted.

unopposed .i!lmphil:Joi.O\J:5l.mOlJlg at ~r a nrc and (OugIH as inralUry'_ ~'er.;31 US pl:;!l115were J11.jj(lc 1:0 IUrilictnUol: Iql;I menu bell tnd be a cnnceos, ,'I nd one 10 seree :;IIlrfle!cls ooU;~c'c "Romoe; oot the wgg.l'd tenatn and atr dcrences rnoao€: the- forme, plan uoreasjbte. and rhe l:;!lUoe1'v.~:5\ cancened when thl: pr-omlsoo ltl)lIl)fl support wasludged shaky. Instea(l, IWQ regiments ....'ere pnrachmed In LO th-C' Sa lemo ~l.{"I1!le;;!l(l_ A s,!f1glC' baua 11011 ILlmp~d near a moon ta'ln v!!I:;!iSoe2fJ rnllcs the (]:lkml In 1.;1.nd .1nd was, sen t.oC'r"W ovee 100 squa nd m05. anrt nnd ru Il1L!~ (.260kml); or tho ath J taly: I,hq' pLLriitroopers as, inf.ml troops. r.nlu.:r were I hau 1eLL-ching trained WJ1('rt I hey scattered to .;).~'Qitl would of henceforth 11'1(')' ccutd Lt creat 00 :;II r~ g mnde one regfmcn Fought l L de.!1 or havoc beachhead ILirKlt.'d eff~1i\'dy An mnMn link prim:1:ry !hem~l;!'lves, oCqUiLII)' small file june the US 82n(l
(I

"'II h

German The here.

~I nrO~mOCT1 The .R2nd German Ist.

u,

oil

It !!J<!Io:;koo t

wcejc tater. .. iIIl Anzio. out

ron t II1~t-OO10 nghl 2n~ ax grQtJntl:

ry•• nnd

hy

sea

Falh.chirmj.~_gl::r I)ivhion~

in Itilly, hupcnen

~5 ~LSi!Wh{!"["(!". Irlctly ~ in Sidly encountered,

t lesson W<!l~ learned to i.Iot1iJe"b: Lilly el'LI:."my they comrades. ramer Nevertheless, enemy

p.arCLttoof~"S ~1f1' wiHi

Ilfi tI'I 1<1ge (:1'I1..""Ii1~' r ctcmcn mis.sioi'l, I.MI'I ctemcms oemmsn bt

LS and

1110"10"1: toward
\\i"-iL!o.

the! r cblccttvcs

O!lC'C' their ~Irell..glh wEl~I('tj ii'l(jj,liduats

garhcred piecemeal cut

,'lCCO[!II)liSIl Iheir 100a UILoC":k

.LIwilIy

wl1 it~
telephone

mLiI.:.:iJl~ 11u tsa nees ltnes, 5~ pp,

Li'-J~ ~m.;l.ll geou 1):5.were rorl('l..I.sjol'l,

.!otil] encouraged

LO create

;JJJ1.d ;:Ul1b-usJ\ L70-2.I,5.) thnn and sa\~' rs a nod! the l .... Q " 31

ccu ricrv to (lIUlI pt enemy 19401 Normandy

tceucns,
OINIouIJjo.'qJtimf, Dlvlslcns
.'10

ifl\l',UI,O,1l. (O!X'rnliol~ cecb

I)nQ ! 0 1M A!roo:rne -entrorced Tbe [hUlsh

go

h'l I1IIth

uuec

[)oil r.;!o;:tl'l,le reglmen t e.1C'11, rather alr.landlng

gtiU1.."J reglml;'n. eight.

IJy
6tll

t!llrd Airborne

OOtLi}lIon Dlvl5!on

_ 12 banntlons 0C1111")1~'i!"(1nn

;5.'-iln.u,:I1d

AIRBORNE

pe rachu
30

te brlgil.{~ route (-I8km)

with
.1CTo.~S

<I

total

of nmc

ha~ tal tons.

TIl~ t luw

~h'l5.iQIl~· bch i ru.l I he

rmnspons .iJ.m.llilcon inland lalldj

fkw can

.a

rounQ.,l001l1

till! Channel, 1111:: pcrnnsu were

to the w~L 1.Ii to

or the- CO'I-I!"Illjn peetnsutu 4--6 I

m II~

across

crop

The r\ rncrtcen

dlvlstona

tLl~kt.'d II;i tli sccurtng

nc northern

m II~

I\g beaches. Il,ulks

ilnd silul hem

of the u.s i.arltlill& beaches. tl.l'i.tI SCJCClt.'{j bridgc"S and causc-vavs L{'.Li.djn_g il11aJtd from tncm. The Bri ti~.i .....uu.d SC'C"Llrt!rnc easreru tlill~.k oJ I.nc-Ir ncacnnceo, destroy a n impotlJru roilSI d('rCOfiCCO bancry, and secure O~ destroy (wtall1 river and canal bridges to ~Ilow the ,LI mptubtoua troops to move i nland and to de-ny the Dticl_gCj. 10 German rei nlcrcernems. Lai'ld i l)g flvc bouts a head or I.hCOam phlb101Jj. 3ISSClll~l, 11(-,Y~ffecl iwly accom jJ"JI.s,lled ClII these 1 musions. I.hougli In many Inj.lCll'lces mcOOM \1-.p;5.due so ·tho!: Inltl:a.tlvc ii!lrld ;lgg.reMlon or LtOOr~;5.whose cpemucn plans had 10 iJ.I: dls.<:~rd~ from ehe moment Ihey 1,;1TI{_~_ T11(-, S a Irbome had a roll&h time wtth heavy fo!'l, WID.II:f]:;!l\, I)Jld the loss of pal hfl mk:~ U tl14:ir ~r;lJl5~II!:HI'5:been me 5(;~1 terce and mQH un Lt:'i.were b.l{1ly (l1;5.IJIeJSOO, eSplX"lo1lly tho lOt ~I. J\ gfo&lt 001 ofequfpment W~S lQ~., and unit mtssfons "'"E!r-r:only pari I)' o1ccomlllhht.'d 1))1 the tfme or the <!IlllplllbiQ'l.l:'i. land i ng. ilil hr)ugh 0111 w-en! event Ltally achieved. The widNy S(;<!I.tll:]"~1 ~1 r.3tl"Ol;l-j1{:rs <I nd .glider men ~rt-<!I\OOcxicnnvc confusion and haneseo O('r(['"I[lll 11nil~ hindering Ihe aucm pted GCrmi.lll react ton. The Bliti~h di \li~i[}11 rilrt'd i:M.'1ICI wi1ti its. mere modt':!.t ODi1..'"ltivt!~ • und m[}~t ITOOI)S t"lild uic goo.:.! rC!rl1J.I\(" LO 1.<I.(ld 1l'i1.core I t·lcr were meu m 10_ "["!Iii.!' ~Iider lalltHli,g 100 scue brtdges near 15ei'looviLt{' reproduced - and by Iligli L the =ouC"CC'~So~ tile GermiJi'l 1940 .i!ix'n I!mil-C'l operauore Lil1a Lho£!- apture c of rhe f!,;·lerv'jll.e baucry was nchteved al Lhoog,h only some ZS per «I'I L of ~he scattered 9th Pnmehute aaruuon nrrlved 111 umc to·r the aueck. J.\go:i i n, (11rthe, tra! fling .... proved necessary ·35 far .jI1 rt lJIillts, nnd 11l0.~ erjccnve means ~li l'fCrI! neoded fer Ili.il.rkill& DZlI..ZS...Nonii.arld)" would utso ·Ii(! I he ri rti.ll largco-sc.ale night drop: the ri~ks M aayli,gh1 cpcrattcns wete more acceptable. all;;J .JayLi_gli1 was 11C('(-'Ssa.~jI for I he tmnspcns aiid 801ldcrs 10 10C0l the! r DlJL.Zs, It would also reduce the u U mbee or LC &I.itlcr crcsncs. The Au._guSI 194<1 to-aston or SOi.J lh.~'In FM nee topcrauon DtajooIJ/Am·m S3.... the ' Jo:rmOition oJ a peevmonar h"Her·AlHoo ahbome -dIvision which if1clloo.(.'(iUS (!Il(l nTUt5~ cnns. In an early dawn drop' 90 per «TIt 'Of the poretroopes I3Il'Id gLl~r rncn landed dead-en thelr planned wnC'S; realstance \1'.aS light, illS were casuenres, Thll: oper;r.tlQn h2ld ;5.;i rnttar &013115 to th,M In ~Qnn<l ruly, IQ SOClI re teland cblectrves end 1}1Q<:l;Germe n rei" rorcements. TIl"!: Seprernber
was ill mixture secure a scnca ~J icc th mu.g.ll 19-14 Nethcrtaeds opcmtton The (Opcratlon S21~d and Mark.L't G(1nl~l, IOI~t Airborn!!
SC~

p'p_ 24S-')], were tc to

of success uml rililure. I h~ couu trYI nan.k

us

Dtvlstons

of bridg{":!o 1t-.li(Un.g in to Houand

W OJ)C'!l iI Ilill h for I he Briti:5.li XXX Corps

me W~tllfaJ I defences. i!lnu rOKe an entry Inro Gcnllali'l. All bridgt5 were .S1_'u.IIM on IJ.-LnI~ CO.xCCj)1 the nonnenimost. "",rlierl req ut red uirec mote di!ly:J;. IJt Ute mcanrtmc toe Mmb l:s.t i\itoomoC' Dlvlslcn and the f'Olisli P-ilrach U L(-,Bngade dropped around Arnnem to secure the Iar end of 1he ccrrtdor. ThIC dma nrc between rne Liltg(-'! bfid~e over tblC Rhine :;;ill<li Ihe D.zJ1.Z5., chosen because or wccdund nnd boftt-up areas, proved teo grea~ .... 'befl the unexpected presence of W!lf[en·SS aemcuted unlts was revealed By (I'.,'!}' C11,1:iocarroo of D1../lZ.'j. 'L'I.'iII5 $LLC1)~f111~ and gl rder lii!lnding casua lrtes were
IIg111; but I here .... 'e!"ll: m:my bartauon 1\1'<1$ut off at the c failures bridge, and rn I$hillps hoi h on ami the ecmul ndcr the &Tound and In I he at r. A ~n!'lk 111~ dtvlston wa~ l{!"fI wit 11011t many

or

32

INTROouCnON;

r\[RIJ.ORNE

WARfARE.

TJ\CTICS

.of

us

tU..'Q'If},

wca ports,

whi~rl!'~ or

~\'orking
Ii

radios. The utrbome

force was

cur (]tr, .1rul

~""tntll.o1.lJr

d{!"rCO.;ltro

ahC"t hOlding

ou L feu

i (1(' tli.I~'s...

Tne Ilj,.,1 targe-seate iUt'lJ.rn-ileopenn ion was •t-ICMa.rch 1945 Ithil'L(' C"ros.sil\~(Operation Ir~rml:).'), It. !Il('W ~'\me,I(,M ,ajIOOrfLC' div':iSjOi'I, the I", h, ;)1X(J.J1l pJj~Nli • ne mjs.s.joil a.lO:rlg$idC rbc proven lIn. ish 6,ll. some 1.600 •ranspons and ever 1,300 gltdcrs put J 7,000 troops on me srmLmJ il1slde G~r-mCLnyin Ull,d.~r mrec nour,5" Tlte mission was 1,0 s.ccm~ eomll'lOlndill:!l, Ll!"r,.alli. road tnrcnecucns nnd brl,(lgoCj. eyond the rl~r; tbe paratroopers b :;!1;SID lleulr-;!lll2:oo mtJClt af uic German 01 rtlllery, OJl the Oi her aldc of th~ wQr!(ll n the r.a(;!fl't' 11\~1.tn;!more m~l .,1 rtome opt;!mt1om, \\'I!1C' conducted, ncec IJ<!ing larger than reglmen tal ;5,1}'J;!. nu glider Q[JII!"TJiI were and tons ;j!Jcroml)Ii~~l~. The tlinLm~ Involved. ra~t-cll<llnging anuenons, and tliniculfil!5 ln ;l~~ml;JLLna. $"Llrl'ideIl1 Eiirlirt were obstacles. Typical atrtomc mtsalons indudcr.l mtds. bL«].;:illg enemy rcmforccmenta or \\Ii thdrawals. st.'"izin:!!, II tsla nili,. and rctnforccment srna 'Of SI(n.ll1dror~
By the end or the Wilt the US and Briti1ill J\ilu developed a ~(;JI,.I11d anbomc ccctrfnc The

lJ5 had spccfflcd the foltowjj'L~ miSSLMS for anbornc units in Ptcld Ma.ouaI31-30, jo(j(,lj(~ irj~ 1h:Jm.ifJrjt"Sof Al,.·80nle' Tro.ops, il'l May 1942. ~oo]cs.s. of Ihcon1.a.ny lessons teamed and
nc\'" ecvctopmcnu HH"O~hOI,.lI In orgnnlzauon W;;!Ir: and ucucs, iL rcmmned the main US dcctnnal guide

the

~~~·~·p,V111i1M.1og.w ~Do..""IRS.·M."'Lan!Jf¥,.Afr"tI • .-ntUanorI.Bcy.bac1fllY.lfngr.~_~.~"'*"I.I'ft8.i"rI~.Mr.I".ITI!:ruIr.OrcI.~,

F\'tl'III.~~o,Ro1=II.~$Ij.~SI.!!;I.~,k.~Sp1.~Horrt:-.I#I~i)"t-$i;zll

~
~h!lrir FllgjI)2): ~(r.3l

CEJ 8
Gi»" .I!b"I(m~

C¥?
~AA~

xx

~
A,I)'I'Ei'!!iII'~

bJ Q;] [SJ
Blyi)A}

EE
Ab1

~
PhiOrdiMnl:CO AbnOMiSp'i Co

S-\o!::e.:.
GennIlft'~.R;-n:.,l)MIi6ntj~7tI ~1iQ

"Reg!: ~4h.I $\>ceo

~I~~

"'**

-"''''' """"

"''''''

-"'"
PrCtiLWirBi'!.:

"'li<lISig'c...

~c...

P!mt

UrrL

00.

.... "" """,

"''''''
F4!;1:"

""""," "" w""

Co[ll4f EngrF"I{II¢Q.

Prt;hcAA8r't: ~BI:'f(:!;.J

PitintSgi8n:

sm.n~;~.,:z,1.o1B~
~HQ

.,co
:F'rd1IEkItt(J.2):Al1".~

AI1. v1,1,Jty
EIi'It;r:3l

'en~

eI9''''¥I!CO

.......
MAlBI~

.AlLL.I~~MlJ:M~ MFldIvr:liJ ,."

IAMsikf

"'-"""'"

""

-- ""- -""."
",",'"

""""
co

""""

-"""" ,__

-Sop

""""

'"

,..., ""~COI;ltJJ

IIIdI,:I~L

"""'-

IMP Co

.l3

,,.\[RfI,ORNF.

r1rLJ!l:ilr)' mtssre»s I. Sell'!:. hold. OJ olherl\·I~ expton Imponnnt t.aCHi;.11locattttes in pend I rLg • ne <!IrrL~] or other rotce, 2. AI tack the enemy rear ,an(i :;II~hl ;-Ibreakth muSll IX 1.iI ling try m J. Bloc!.; or dc:LilIy enern y reserves hy 'illpt'llrin,g and hold ins ULt in!
4. Dc!ilIY \t.'COntJ.ary
<!I

contunctton I he main terral

11

wlth rmtc_

Of

fcmurcs, him.

rcrrcauug

enemy

unrt!

the maht

Forces carr

Qvc"II .ukc

and oenrcy

mlsstens

I. Captutc cncmy atrttclds.

2. Cr1!\UC'di versions.
3. R6MOrtt thI('iUem:."d Or sunou (L!1C'tlunns.

4, :Sci:re tslnnds Ot areas l'LOLac~i.bl('-lO other ground forces. S, Q puse or des~roy \'it.il.t eneu y insta 11.jj ucns, thoC'reby d jjrujJHng hls system command, 'Com m unlcancns and supply, 6, Ml ~5 a OOJ1S"tLllll 11 1 rem by Ilwi r mere PK"SeDOO in the Illwtw of Q[J'erotiOI1S, tl1eretiy roi.t5Jllg thl: e;Ile'IT!)I LOdi~iX'r'S(' h.~ roeees Q1,'..:r a wide ClI"W 10 (1fQIIX1 "",;IJ !flSI.'I'tl,;lt!.ons A d!vts50n or even unfts 'WUllin.'! dMs~:11
I~~~

or

mi5SIOIl~_ These basic m Iss~1l concepts

any ooml;lnallon of the ahQve hy cuter nnuons, whose Ilmll~ iIIlrome rQKI3 unrjertook v,;utoos r;].III;I:;, r ruveratons .1 nd I1!OJnnetssance mi5.$.ion~. 1:.\'(.'11 rescue mtsslcns I~-ere <!ICDlmllEi3.hOO,illons wLth counter-Jandmgs . info em::m)' beachheads, could g~ne~Lly aclopi.oo

till: :;IIsslgn«l

Evolving organization
value of :r.itoortLe uuns, dt.'IllOmIILi.tOO I)y Gcn u an successes iil inc Low Ccunntes Lind the' c.oslly) Illctoty on Crete. lro to eu t;oo;rXl11sirnl r ntrbome fOR.-e5, To I~jtlft .... ictoty on o had been aduoed al far LOOrligYI a lNiC(',.LlJ""Lcl \I'O\~-ro 11,(!V(!t he10·u~ slith a "'il[uable~ agaut iona 55mllilr mart fler; but 100me ALI.ic.st ljcrnlded nncther means of dl'tealhlg liiHu, UJ~ i ~I rboene rormeuons tegan to appear from 19~2. - d ....moos, corps a fHJ even .'I nmes, Thera I'I';}S, atso a trent! to erm .fIITOOtl'W liniis more heavily and to strengthen them to ievets slmlbr to ccnventlonal !nr~J'I.·ry\11'1 its, to a [hDI .... them to be OC"fllplO)-'"OO IJ!Iprojonged comber operauona. Tho!;!crearton of such luge afrborne [ormattona \\i'.fL<j. somett rnes (;on~ ro,,~~I.ilI. Some for:11 tl1illt too rna ny resouroes 'Were iJ.I:lllf;:ccmrn Itied, .iI nd 01 hers I hal ;-Ilroornoe- forces shQlJld be Io:~pl $millll and "",ilnou, [JoI:1TfI,;In~nld! vh!onal 01 higher headquarters. In the loOng nm it
lllC' (albeit Crete proved to to be rnore dfOOlI~ train i IlJ.l and!
LI

1o form

perrnn nent headquarters to con rml

I han ad hoc tillS!'; fora3,. <!I:§. well <!I~ to

so as 02nS1Je r

:§'\J pervisc

conn r'i.uily M cffon and

ptann Ins 01 nd nil cohesion.

(ll:!Cril nons,

Germany
Although the (iIst parachute di\lj.s..ion. 7ltl flil!gCi lJi'o'1s.l0i'l, was formed ill July 1938, whe-n r.,s. establlslted It w~:s hardly a racucej Iormaucn but rather a couecnon or ·~;o.:petLmeflL:;II1 unhs and schools. It was nOL elevated to a ucucar division un LII the 4:'Veof [hOC' 'ar • and .... possessed only minimal ~liPi)()rL troops. tn L940, XI Rle~r~..orp.s W.;iSfOlmoecJ 10 OOl1lrttl V<!IrlOLLS parach LI to and a! r-la !l(.l!r,.g unns:

.nf:

II\'TROLHJCiION:

AI RI:!;O Ri\; E WAR FA H[ TACTICS

x ~l1}'iti_g Corps:
FJri lIS Leader X I (C"_(]rll~I-IQJ t I
<I nd

L.,.'fb('(j-Liu~r("'.oJllmi.lno:.l ,1\1 rJ,mdjl1,tl: Sq undrurn T!orllix't

:2 9 (. mnsportsj

G mUI)
i.Ir)'

tor

Sprri.ill

f_1llIlloym~n1

Supplcmeet 1'.juxllllte

rfrou

ps

I <llld 2

SLhuots

I-III lJi vision

71 n l~yl rL.!!:'l m \'i:5jOI1 2Zml (ALrl,ilJ-I(hilg) J (1(:U\l ry Mr[l!.ndin& Rt.".;mlk~

}\5.S;)ult RC',gimCJ~ t I or lii!'lcr's die.ate and 2nd that the l)iJr.iJ.;["lm!e LrooJl'!'i.wonkl Dfvtston waa convened jtig('r Di v:i~(J1l harl been not agatn

be ~i11PI'O]'oo Lf.I r-cbnmry,

In

JiUg." scale airborne operauons, Di"i~k.!n iil M.1}' 19.3,

7th Htegcr filllscbin-li

Into IH 1:":)lIsch5rmj;;igeT .3.:;;II~. C'(I in

nclt'lrgromrd~?.lfllr..r (.l\:JrNiW.:"-("Jl'('CbliJ('lolK1'Il1X'
fL'rt'tlSL'"II.!Njr W6Iw[X; • .jI,t gllfb;'1hr~jrft'hJ/J(It.t iJl6lrJ

!t·~I-rj.L·mltJp4'ralll ..

:fmoothJ)"I.lrl~r.ljRlaJ;rll'Jff..

'rJr(otA:1qrJ1fJlrt'loirli."rroJ'ilJ lirJj;'jN,i: lf~ p.i~r.~ q( r~

r,rpt.'<1t(llrhrlli1lvropt'1Irll Ilh11.lr.lr/jIJII.r(.tll)"u"j'l:l~Jr ropl'sIri.'t("h_

!lim-.~Ij(f,jv

mrJl~C--I1ffigffirj~5i.""'ilr

be folioll"W

October and Ncverober 1943 th~ Jr(l n no ~ th PJII~llrrnli!ger Dlvblons were -etsed, to by Lilli: .5. h, 6~h J 1'1.(1 7th ill M:;nch, june ;J I'HI October t 9';;:j ~jJ"eC:llv~ly, The 7th Fallseh! rrn l.llger DI ....sron \.... rcemed from ~ll~h Irm l.M.ger01 ....slcn F_rdm.;l n, oil n .;1.0 hoc .'I-'S n rcemcuon or '.,'!.I.,'!.rm' end ~nlllnlng lIIQ!U;, Tile Qrls-IIl!lll! 2n(l FilILKhlrmlllia,er I)Msb:m \.... as
destro~(! If! Prance ill !9-14, til) cor~ 10 conrml in September 11I: dqunners .. n I and !9H, and a new 2n(ll)lv15100 Ann)' Armeekorps. Coring'; and the was rill~ (l.5;t tb<!l1 December, Arm~) aTmy nei thor and \\1as lis

ALso
OrgillDl~J 5ubordlfl.l rcrmanons purely

the

or :;!I l:5,t parachute rn an ns 'Henna LrLL~pueacf nn unns, even

ranschtrm

II l';JII~.;hlml no

ThL~ 'J)3T<I~but!!·

'III.'I!"rt!"

hy

utc Format kills,. .and none

so-cal tecl hll~cnlml h-ild iIIny tor morale and

Pa nzcrkcrps

of

these

n!SOLI ndinsl

wa!§. tlll: >' til [00

pamcmue-rramcd

'Faluchirm"

{.t{~ign<!lhDn W<I!§. gi\'cn Si.'riOO~lr shon in two ","ere cfvtslons

IlUrpost:'5... By tbis time

the paructnnc pariJC"tlUli..Sts...

divi~iOn:5. were NC\'!!I)' rajSi'd

or

qualillll.'t!

IJilr.a-thulistS-= six divi:5j.Qll:5,.

or

I he 160,000. ]0,000

roolJS iH·~~nttl

to I ~I F.allSotl'"lIirMArmee. t'rum ,;];11 (')LiSli

OO'll~

only

were

IlClnnEilly

LI~Si~~{'d LIlC'.g.imC1~ or cue t•

or 11','0 veteran

omuuons.

(is. di ~'i~iol~

plus rome schooi :J nd demonstrarlon troops as <L cadre.; I tIC rest were non-parartunc-j raillro rccruna. Only a pcrecmage of the men i n even she cadre un i ts were themselves p;lraC1l1 uteq~li('jcd, and these 11'(!1(' :§CalU::tOO throughout the (ormation ra th{"t th n n K1aiilro .. s :r eohcstve unjt. [I W:Js. for thts reason II'LLLL pai'tly parachure-qcanucd ad hoc bautcgroup a bad 1:6 be assembled hom booth lSI ]i';i1Jl]schirmj.:lge-rDiVjji,on and 6tb foilllschjfl11j,'jgC't' R(-'gjmCfH Jor the 19;14 Arden nes IlImJ). The- ncwP3llicb)rrnl:lger (I lvblons were il!e3'Vi(-'t 'Lo.'e.1I s.upplJed \1Iilh soppon u 11i ts, ann teue- 5:1.I1t.oo fOT the eonvenuorct grourtd OO)11ootto w!lleh they I\~ OO1fImIUOO. The 3rd and Sti't--Slh ~llxhl rrn M~r DMsIOflj. foogllt on uie western prom, the ~. h 01"1• he Souther'1, the 9th on _he Eastem, the 1st (lin tte Eastem !iIIJ)d Southern ... !iII!"Idhe .2f!O on :;!III t tbree rrorns. From fd)J\l;;!i1)' t94:l to M:;!IY1943 F..ll1schl rmjl.B~1' !!..r1g3'd1l: Rarncke. comprl~lna. battntlcns dr(l'WPfrom Q1h~1' rormattons, sevec in N()I1h Afr1c.a. 11.:; the 'I!I.'.ar]J'f~ thedfvlslons \~~ provkted ~llU heavler \i,'~1J.ICn5, approachmg I~ of an ilmlY Infamry (:!l,n~Io'I1. For example. _he or1gjna! F.a.l!:;I;ltirm ArtU lerle ~m~nt po~ only 'One 118..... battet len, bu LIn M.1Y ] 9-14 nnotner light and a ITU.>diL~m banaucn remained Rifle were added,
Lrntil.'f

.LI]on,s \\r]lh a heavy

mortar

hatt..allon

- iIILth.oLl,ghm.lny

.s.udl regfments Ciennan hlralltr)'

St"rcn.glh in pracncc, 19'44 (3.2.06

Anti-tillnk all rallks)

\~""C'illpcHl$ \~"'C"H!" etso il1.CJo[!"a~

Tho 1944 f.iillsthi nJljil8i!r ilkgi ITU."Jl Lt.ost..ablls.l1m{'l1 tk.'lllcmll"illtC!i the oi!"xtenl (Jt thts upgr.3dins= t Parachute Ilt."gi mCJ1l, it('giMCntEiISl.;lfi !1au:.aliOfL(.."L3.);

St.il.ft Rille Company (:..:J} teach 9....:lgtu mactanc-gun, Jx scm mortai') l MachiiLoC- un Company (8x henvy mach i no-gun, 4!x i3.cJ1l monas, 2.:-: 7.:Scm guO') G ,.\.ntl·T:m].:: Company Ox '.klll ami·t.:l.nk gun, 2' x agcm baeookaj' ~to,tuCompany (12~ rzcm hei}\Ij' mona r)" rtoreer Company'
I).at\Llilion -l

Ill'f.;J1llry gW,j ~

lNt-trn wljen n;shnml(J1111{,;i,j!ry iJi

~~r CInIl'.IJ"Illl"wm I't"'J'IIIKt'd !;Ir mlNtffl" romJ'MIl1'.

9,:1;J, 7f.1'111 AT 3JN! pl'iur tt' 1944.~ 'prn,(I,,~!f(j' _ P;)nD!Ddued.;,. 6 R..l.ftl.irt?:l~ ilr(rm!ry ~mr i:"l)Ir.lJ'it.lllJ' 1..sn.nlmr.l~ (6.1: 7 l.tt_A.s.5i".ill.rl Erlj'lrJ~15,: il'Jdejl rn
j !J"+f rfU.J.

by £'I:J.IUlI'lrlrPtlll,J

oottil'llAlrl

pJ(J!oo.ra.

I.... TRouucnON: AIRI10RN£

WARFARE

TACTICS

B. lurtlam.leshm11.
.5tparale f,,1.IIKhirffil:i.ger

~gilll('jH
reglmcrus

1'II-i..l!S

.a'iJ.Stuoc'"CI in to banatlons

enter

1J

nits
bul

i 11 194]_ 'hey

Nu m bers

or

ii"i~

were ralscd,

1~""C"nvemuntty c

The ISth .. 9,rl iil~iJ 10th FEillJs.chirl1lj.tiger DivisioJ'l.:i were ordered rorm[!'ll] .n Scotembcr 19",~, lmt were eanccueo rfur! n.g thctr .orga.rliL.iltiOI~ iind the! r pCl'Wl~l'lI:l transferred [0 other dlvtslorts. The- 11 ~I~,2011'1and 2; I s-\ FilnS('hirmj~ger Oi Yi~iOIl:5. DegLIr1. to fcrrn i.1"I ~' • .;In;h end April 19-1S,IJULwere vtty r;)r from complete by the cno ot me ..... nr
ill ~fii)', Aft." beiJIg (Luitl.ilfldC")

ii.b:50Ti:M."d In10 new dtvlstons,

dcployecl
was However,

if!

DM!'iiQn

n~~

lis al r.l:;llJld!l\& role In the 1'-!'~·O~rl:;ll!1dsIn L 9.0, 2_2nd lilfo'lJ1Lty for • nc Oete !rw.;Won es !!I foIIOI .... -on tOKe [OJ' the
tbe mi.stal.;~ of p'revlo\J.;5!Y corn m i urng
jL

FaIJSoi:'hirmt."!~rDivl5iol~, ~dicrS. Divisiopl in M~Kn belll8 loUn81Y

tho C"n:rm::m:5!'Y1!!1(1e

to

grou:n'l.l combat oI!"ISClvh("J1!,. and hiHI: I.i&htly cqufppcd. rd('rril~g LumEilfl~C

to

find .LI \lb.still.llll:_ ThE: S rnmmHtW reverted to 'Slh

m:;nml.aln-tr.alne(l

Sth

Gebl.l'_g.s~
11"1II.S

W'aS

to Cectc by .LIJT .LInd ~

(resutttng

to thcrru.cJvt."!i as the Dtvisiuu

'MOOI1tiJ.iJ1.fAirli:mdinglNaV'.a1 aJl1'1"t.'1ltiOn.a1 tntill1t[)1

rnr<!lntry
~ a

The 22nd

role. ItEg<1.rd~

.94<1. ~ht 9 lS\ Lt\ramry

~LunJilIf,~e) mvbi.rnl was i1!-o~ni:Zl'tl

.Ll!§.

in Norm;!l1~y

oouf1.tL.:r-il1v:J.sion

nc~~
¥Io'ith

reecucn rOiW.. and Pj R 6 will Eilltii.1..'1ltd ils. Ihjld rcgtmcru. 'rhc division \'\'<!I!'i Jrt ..his role, artd 1\','jS re-organueo us 3Hlh lnfLkrllty Uivifioll in November, 6t1i fLill:s.c.hirm l.I!ger !wgtment beecmmg eu army-level asset.
CDlIJtoyro

GrealBrilaln
,.\lrOOrJ1~Dlvtslon, estabushedtn tM~ i9. I, W,aj 10~n~cIby the' 6tl1 III }.of.,')}' 19-13. TheIn Mric":!, SI~"y and !t3lIy, 001 the I'i.~W dlvlslon .... "Q1.II(ll"Iot see comber until •he- NOJIIIEilfldy jump. The r S~had so be ~ill iiker i nttlmry SC'['i,liC'{' ion Ihe MtdilC'rrill1ca 11, an-d inen canted 0\1 L the Amhc-m ilssaull, The 6t~l 1a leT Look pan in tile lolllille crOS':..;in:!J, opcrauon. On paper the dlvlslons each ~ 0i'L~ alr-landtng and twn pamctunc brigades, bu L in practice m lgh [ have it l.hiro: parech u LC" rlg~d-e oil nached. b The BrltJsh bTIg.ild~ org3l!"liuuI,oll: W.jjj. dJHereni from th.at JIl most armfes, Tbe div'is:icll~ held only mtnlma! svppcn \.In!ls plus oott.aJ!on~slZe .;nliitery, AT artd reccenausancc regtments, and a ~!ngl~ engineer company However, eacn parachute brlpde had ~s.signw ~uflport \.InLt~, Tho an-Iandtng brlga~11: 1,'4;k.!xI tbe AT b~lt~ry and engmeer squadron, bu.
The 1:5.\ 1s.1 I1;a(I fought C'ight AT g\LI"I~ wcn! strength -rol'l'lbill(''d= 8ri ..iSh purach fl.T~g.Ll,tlCNQ utc Brig.;)iJe. 194<1 Qrgank to' each 21h.l.;ln<!ln& oou.i,!liQn~
II:QI,I:;II!

AA

:;II!1(l

AT company,

TIle b.rlg.ade5

of 111~~ir-lim~jng

hrLgillrli!: 11'.a$ ., Imost

10 I hilll of the

11'1'>"0 .iI racbute IJ'

HQ Defence Platoon
Parachute llalttlljol1 (:Jo:3); PlAT ann-tank projCCIOr)

(S-x 3111 mo1l.ar, -I,. medium mactune-gon, lOx ,x3) (9;1C' 1'~~1t mectune-gun, 9 x 21n morMr) 5.0, tt~1')' (6x 'i Smm lJ'oiIC'k1"10 1tzers) ..... AT B.a.ttl!:l')' (!2:~ 6pdr ann-tank gun} E:Il8Lne-c-r F'llI:ld Squarfron 1:i'="1~ An'iloLLl.anc{!' lI;ifl~ Company Artlll~ry lIgh.t

1l.a1Mliol1 tlQ I~Q Company

r\IRRORNF_

The T!rl!lsll roll

l st r\irtJ,o.ml[!" Corps <!Im:1 Troop Cnrrter J\iroome Dlvlsfons imd the Airborne

Command

\\""(!"TL!

former!

III 19-B ~O

trot I he 1:.;Laucl 6th

1H!"Ir\' I ~I Ptlli~h

1IJ(.I(.lJClld~1l L PU.il

lJ.rig.ade. ancl .!oC"Tn'tl 1nder the L~I .I"\lIil'd 1

Arl11y_

United States
nJI5Lw..'154rn.'1?'I~~!JrlJrL" m.:n.'ijl1'n"W:Ilt1L~,tNt't'l.L'llrtJ mDIIIIPlrJ~1/tNI~·lll:flmr.l1. ~ t~ N(JrrJr.m,lyt~r/~'

In Ali,gUSL 1942. Ilw US Alrny o:rS;lnized the 82110.,'111(1 0 J s.t Ai rborne DMsl,oll.:5. by spt ittlng Il~ 1 .821l-d111lf.l n try Division. T~hll: tllTC'I: ~1;s1 Ln,s In f.l ntry rcgl~nt.5 were eorwened to glld~r. ,,'Ltll
0011: Lra"sf~r(!(1
1','"(!1"(!"

1'0 ~he 10 I ~I .1J1{1 .1 new ~gl men L :lr:;:tiv.!I~I: t"'(JI1I:X1;5.111l8 Il<H"<!Ii;hLLt~ ~m~n(j
QIlI[!"

.IJL'fu~i.lllj'jl'.limJjrrl:i~I SlINI'i'-IS(}pt".J!Joop 'UII';;:I.irJr'ljrolSl.lj~rWTJi.Jl r1"n5pOfj'j

rlMdfJm

'-IboNt

."J:2'O. fulmL"lj

wjjIJr)..n.ry~NiJ.i{rrJ~jril"'" jIJt'5l'"llfriliIII'lVlS..iilthl H~rmi.l(ur

sJ.i.i1m

W''i.' jilrn~

I!p

rcgIml!nt~ W'l"S 011 iJ.rilhh I'Co!XIIIIIIICn(iaLID.I'i2i If] r'Oll~ thNr csumplc. Ior \\Tltich they 0001,.111:1sec no ~ re-a SOJ\j in rol{.1 LlliS response was prol:r:iDLy dllot LOa more censer.... nuvc rtlucta.i"t'C(! to r('ly orr u divi!.ioll predcnnnaeuy LlI1.ttiro paratroopers. 'rue ntrbome diViSiOrl1o:ughly mjft'Otro the iMil.l'UiI')" w'Ll'iSiO.11.. L i LS 1I11i 1 ,.(1 1(-14 .strengtll, -l'qlliP~'LL btl I.S u anu cnpabd i L~ .,'I n airoor.il.oC-divij.iO.1 numbered :8•• 00 troops and 65Q "'~!11C'I·es,OOfllp3red to the Inf;:mlry dMsI!OfI';5. ].5,000 men and
<li55:lgned. to C'.lCh dlvlston.
The

balance

of gll~~r

and

parachute

thus

the

()PIXl~i te 01

tum

ill the

iJ.rili~h divisiOl~.

The

Americans

had brushed

0'

m .....illrrnll.it1ifiolxMf; l

l'f~fj1.
".'Uk~1 (]Ir

2..QOQ '~ll.:;tes..

In L9-4·~.1 pol radture I he divhiom

~menl

h~tI 2,0.25 r r00p5, ~:r.II1.S~ 3,.258 ln nn III f.llltry

ms1m· bombn

tJ(1,5

mgi m;(!TIL
when
i'Ll'i.tI

Tho new dl"lsions C"ommiu(.'d.

wtru Iormed

"''i!'ry

much

\\FI1h I,amomy In mtnd. Dr two mcec purachuie rt.1l,i I11('"J1 t:5-

I!TJIIi'I~i.:r,'.l1~jl'tlm.ilt'.:.lr"

IMir'!.'I'rL'"-IITetnmhl/.glutll.lOO".
ljmmpol'("i·I'l}1viJ:,o"ffl,m,' 17(!dr'rr.rj'NNJ:o{crJJAMiW"Ni'

wcre 11n:)V'idGd vvi tlt nne

Di'1'h1G\1r
L'l"''oIrjr~~

roo Rfo'l~vi'[I!I' 0(lil1

thor

il/' 6

'ruM'

190M.

bi.lI1i.1Li-O{IS, Jo~1 iI glidC'r rC'gilllCnt and wh i Ie I he- rCllliiillil1,!!: OJH." rcoCt.'1\'t.'d iI t h i rd b a 1tuhon. ~\I the end: or 1943 Lt wM rC':1.."'Olliil1clldro tli.iI L the u iroorrlC' diviSiC!l~ be' ji~"-'rC'-il&L.'dil' Sottr-l1_gth and eqummcm !O i1IlmOSI th.aL or an iil1:,'lrlII}r dtvlstcn. Althougli !l'i.ij; \1'aS opposed ill scrne crroes, neworganlaauon tables "we approved iU the end or 19·H; thedtvmom .... 'core
art! Ilcry

LNTRODUCTION=

,\[R.RORNF..WARFARE TACTrcs

U~Jo1l1NI, l)Jt';Khutc

ili'ld

the

mun

of The

p.1l"J1chUII[!" arul gilder men. 17tJl and L::5Ul Airbonle

regjmenta lJivbio:M

'III.'.ilS

oft1.cl.ally almost me

reversed.

regfrncnt

now had O\'1:r 2.,.]{JO nh

.11

tho slider

rcgfmcru

],000.

iUld the

c.li\-bion ,'!Ilmmt ~Ill~ strucrurv.

tWlJ'

13,000,

Were rc .... llrg;:II'Ii2:C'ti under one IXH',H::h'LItoC' and

gl itl~r
"'U

rC'gi usc

The t mcne,
L

j\irborrLC'

Ui,ljjill·n r~~m~nl

in HlC' P.l,ci(je remmed

th.oug.h the- g!i.{tt::rregime-illS hil(l

l:;IIrgoC'ly ~11

pamchute-t rained,
the 5.Q3rd
rUo1chlJ~~

TI1.(!re h~r;Jlllry

:;II ~P.11"<!1.iI!' parachute In(.jJJ1I"ry (.-.:l); (x]) (1.2)(" rrght

in the I'.ac;lflc; thentre,

Rcg.lmen

US 1';]mCh~lte Jl:L-glmt'llt.1.IUQ

R"-1'limen.... 1'9.J" (:l,.UZS)

1M.al~ Lr)' T!~Ituncn

ILQand ilQ
llire Company SttvL« comp~nr

ComJRIn}'

(8" light maceme-gun, -Ix gfmm mortar, 9.-.:b;)gooh) m:;ll.;hjru:,·gun, 3)( 60mm mortar, b~;roQl;a,
~j(

1'o·(~il.jJl Detacumcru Mtl£!r opponen plcccmea! IhC'

poor

perrormencc rcr 1h~Il'l ~o

tS caneo

of US atebome be convened 1,0

'I..IiliLS in Nortll
i nla

Mric,'j

nnd

Sl.::!ly,
aud

se-ne ken to
!h-l!'

n try, and

.1. H~I(I~I was rather

Ufld~rl.1

decj.;j(:' • h('tr

f.l.oi:. It was tk1oi:rm I n-W' ! nit! pCIIO'r pJ.;311 nlng, emptcymcn t or pU.1 troo]JI2rs wert'

W~o1 k ~KIC!IJ cnrfer tlil!nlllg,

Ihe problems.

thil n .any fundamcnuu I)j"'''SL'OJ1S agatnn

Haw. ,\n cxcrcbc rur'"LtEn'l.'1.::t..1i tttc U5 I)iU i r~ Ill!:!' 11th ilInd L1Lll Airborne in

one another i)I'O\'~ the '1~lid.ity of I ne unit's ir i)r'OjX!tly Ltained nnd employed. The! us formed X VIII ntrbcme CO'p:50IrI I!N.J, tit i"S and the 1X Troop Careler OJmmJ nd 1\"\'[(' under I he h1 ..... lll~ I\.i rbome ;hmy. rll 19H :;!I provlslona! tMIJ(lrne dl ... ston ,",'illS t rormcd tor III cojnY"aSjOi~ southern Pran ee - J =>L trbcrne Ths~ force; thd in cJ uded O.... US or A -e p;Jr:JdlUle bm muons, one g_lidet rtgi nloC'llt ,1 n.{I: .a. (hoiusf I» -ecmnc bngnde. rhco rour M.1rlni: p;)r,"1dl~t~ OOU.fIIIQns never J'I:;!I(! the orrortlLLnlly to cendoct ;J combat jump. Opoer:1.tlQm, w(!Ji::: planned, hul ate dfstancea. lack or sLI.fl'iciC'n. alKurt, ~nd chiJJ\ginS 13c1leal ~IIUo1 tlcns ktl 10 .11.11 dng 0["01 b ncelled. Instead I ht')' t;onduC'tt!tI ilm!Jhi.liiOIJoS raids tutd diverslouary opcrancns .. Lind fou);:.rLI as ii~ rLimr)'. -lllCY wtrc d~vt(j ji~ F.oomilLj' J 9H, I nco
1100ps (X'ing reasstgned to rtC'IIT i n(al'l tty regiJTIej~ ts,

Execution of airborne operations

'rhe ~l""-"UI ton 01 even n srnal I airOOn'lccperauon wa~ a complex O!IIfair. L~req LIi red ~tj)lnjll.gr

IthJ!".1 r~ts, pracurc jumps, ('-:;O:I{'J'1si.,;e eocro i naucn 1\'Lth a iJm~ u nus, mr route ptn nl:ll ng. iJ1 ugence ccneeucn. screcuon or DUl.b and 3i5"Sembly Ll·1 :;iT~30S, .,1.C[I(,,'!1 pl!llll:50..~SiI!'mbly end pack! 118Qf au ppl~1:Sand o;;!'IlIlplQ~n.,mu vrerncn t 1.0 Ihe departure 01.irilo1:ld~deccptton efforts. INN! her conslderanons. connan L change, a nd s.i tuarionuj updates, lll.iJ.rs.halli.n_g ercu
<Jcth"J(i('S;, and .a~ looding up. nao and

W~nco C'OCllcou rl!I)' r~'a.wfI03bly strntlar

lessons wns

its owe procedures, mili~aiY punn i ng and OpocrLlt IOI'!~1 porlndple:s bMro Of! lo,gk'.;Il steps, and mere \~~~ Il'l:;!lfl}' ~mll:nlt!~. As. the
made, comma ahbcmc 01nn nd mere de1.L1lled were and i n-depth
.3~

W.al prn~J~ ptan rtir~

\~~r~ !1J:1.m~, mnnemems higher

EiI

undertaken

~iruorr'tl!' s.maJlcr

echelons

lYIi:!ICOnCIL,,]}liOll held

by m any Is thaI

ope-anon

i~ccmparauvetv

t.~I,a~isbcd. A qulc:b:C't

"

AIRBORNE

40

]I\'TRODUCTION:

AIRT!ORNE

WARf..o\RE TACTICS

and

NI~jcr

[0

plan thnn detaus

31 rll

v hLQrtDI operatton.

Wb!l~ there ere \\Tlll:"th(!r for

ill

rewer

trocps and executing

:;IIIKf.1.fl,!!I1I
;J

"-I~
C-"1JI'"t'J~M'lJIlrirW~OO
SlIdm""'I!'f".I\'"",.rurmJy

,lle ~m{!' plLmn'ng ~ didsim1

~nd step50 :u~ requfred,

company

raM or

SUI)pc:m i n.g I he arnphtbloae i nvancn or u ron tmcn L TIli: dM~ic!ll~ ix~['(!m cemmaou diI'OC1C:die di~si:otl !.1ilff to commence planrung fllr a u sp,."CiHt opL"r'Lltillll in the form o.f ai'l cpeauoa plan or a dirccti\'(-' message, ~.5k' gut<i.aJ1C"e' nd ~ b}Clm InJuflDl!~Poll were p!"Qvicicd. whl, mut tiple DiddltloIla111f1s,trqctkm:s or anematfvc .jln(l Intol:lIlgl:r1a! inrorm~llon

1~~f~Ntzy.~n..'H
4jIJ~jl?j~I't,Ii'ti( ....Jir\!,(,INo~

loti fJ/l'ilj~

prtmt~
;;Jim!

IPJ

/'Wrt:;.IIJm"I'I\"l"oI'$1j11IK1nJ11cr"1

ptans were Qrd(!rro to be- rk!\.""C!liJlpOO. ~~niili!!: illig"" be hill tOO as opcraucns were deemed LlMi!.a~bJc due to ill.!iuffiC-'iem rdOult1:5,. [!');pccLOOoppostnon, terrain and weather I.imlUlti.Oi'l!,.Or ta!Ji.tLlyC"lta.r'I.J:':i.rl.@: snuuncns. l"y))il'all),. an atrbcmc di ...:S.ioI1 m_j~n be tIi.[('oI.'1.ro develop dozens of plans bctore one wa s .actually i to exKlltcr:L P'I'OiCfl.oo detes \1'"Oul,dbe provreed, :;!II'II::! I~'~5 the nigher hecoquenes t~ n t dloCl~t~ r;yhC'l1lcr i.t \\'OlIl:(I be :3 d::l.}' OT nJg,ht (tpCr;llloo • .and anocated ?I!rl!r1 ~t~. Thi~ IMI.. ha(! 21 er central iilfl!.lellC(! on how 0111cperatlcn \» a~ conductecz the numbers and tYl~ c:.F t~mport:s. and guoes complctcty goytrflOO d~livcl)' to the bal tldieltl,. sastutnmcn L Lirl(lisupport. weather was e.. nremeJy ('r.itiC"al': rail'l 01 fog can hide lal'ldJ1l_.iHkS and DZ/lb,; wil1d.!i ever I Smph preven L 1)3racmnc drops. even mooeraie w11lod:s: can scrtcosry ,'l.ff~cl g)idef.5., [lone! nigh1:I.ah.i.mde ..... .tnds can I}I'O'L'I.' transports on cccne. We!)_her ccncr rtons w(!Ji! mcnttored up 10 Q10P II rne, but It W<l~ djmc~LI t to determine condl tlon;5. tn d mp bthlnd (!"Jl-l!"m't Itnes. wh ne favourable rulldltic.n~ Illighf ex ist for the drop. the extended rOrtearSI tOllrmri n.g it \\';IS crltlcal to ~Pi)l)" :r.nd rein fcrrcmcm dWI)S Lind ilir SUpPOII,
cs it bt("_.LI111e .av.a!liIIl)l~. Oficil
<l(1!.iJ.,5;

rnw lZl:

(u.r

jl/Ju
..

I.rrmIil~roJ.I~

Selecting DZ/LZs
Thlr :!I;Cll'tTalOOj('('ti~
Idt LO the a i rborne a biJ;5oe(I 'Of! I !... e p-roxllllity

s.!~ or

iiIIvallabl~

and til rgcts W'(!rC'spectnee by II tghcr commands, nd alrn fl unns !O det,ermlru: ~!'I~e:rGJ.ct DZfI..Z;5., etecr :)rr:.1$, !lind extem or natura 1 and
air ddcnte and a!rflcld~:

Th~

blLt II was norma II}' were seieeed

Ql»tJ:d~ !)f cfvtttun location

men-made

of enemy

fOKCS and' frutanartons,

commun I tks; case ot idC'til tflcattcn or DZ,I'W aria en mute t.andmarrE.:.!i rrom the ai.r,; ctsrance from the Ol1jCCI'i.lie.i proxi.fnilY to cover and coucemmem: sui.!ablC' aSSoC'l't'LtI'Jy arees, :rnd road nelu'Orks lim eoutd be used by the jerce once on the grou nd. 11101: diU.a.nCoe' from the otrlectl~ and Int-t:I'1."enlrrg ten,"lll'l, oteuces and ro:)tl5 \~~Ie critical, since ejrbome _!"OOp~ are rIloo.tly neavlly li)_.iJ.(jed root.sloggers. In some Instances It might be d~~Iril.bl(!" to lane dh(,(:II}, Olli the ta rgt!"t. but thi~ \.... u~uilily only suitable (or ralds as 03.g)li.nSI lightly dt.o.f.(_.ntk-d sues, A DZJLZ a short djs,tLlm:t froln an ODjC'oC1.iV(! was more

pr,jlC~ iCLII. cs it wil"! cut of range or iMill11ry weapons and migHt nos 'be observable dC"p.cfLding on t~rrilii1 Lli1d vegeumen. 11 had the advantege of .allOWing 'Lhe m!ll1 to assemble, conecr ~l!pplr con tillner.s, org.;r n!R • .3~~S the ~ W~!lQll. 01 move QI'l"!y .a .5hort d lsrance to begl n nd
Its. rttlalQn. surroundtng dbtunce Dlvision brldgC' blocking the
DUll: 10

the

extern

0'- defences, areas. unit

other

~m!my have

unfts and a ltmral

iml,all..iltion:5- In the

01 rca, t£"rrilill. bunt-up from UtC' o.bject

;;)1.J11!('41~,t.!ilyirlg

tn di1rC"rcrU dtrecucns,

til Amhem "'.;IS because 'Of bullt-up

movement drop jXlint

DlJ1..l: tor muttfptc lit ii1SC'.rt.N.1a ccnndceeble lves. NOIOfiOlJisly •. 1Il; September 19 .. .a! the Brl tlsJ1 1;5.1 Airborne reecec to \.I:5e DZlI.7....5on !ho[!"athl,jln-d! -6 mues trcm the oblecuve 4
and lI'LC' eed n
.LL

to sel~t

i1)jghl

10

area~ and ...... -ccdtanu.

The ~Itrt~ main aubornc

Germans

had time

to rospon.;j. between

to the obj{'rth~_ Lind

They were tater ilt)[t- to block

the 2.-mitC' route

supply

wnu became the

penmeer

ntound Oostcrbeck.
4!1

AJHBORNE

In most cases alrborne unlts were aljowed toplantheir (l'W1'1 actions once on the ground, ,aUhough these obviously had to be coordinated to achteve the Hnk-up wlth the advancing ground force, (Paratrool,ers, could not go, about shnply blowing' ~:.JlP'random bridges that the grou nd force might need forits advance.j One 0'( the maier beneftts enjoyed by airborne forces 'was the' element of surprise. There were S~Jl1ply far too. manyways and places they could be employed for the enemy to be able toplan effecttve countermeasures and defences for them all. To preserve this vital advantage, . hie planning of airborne operations and 1the marshalling of units and ,2drcraft were kept

us PAT'IIIFmD:~RS'I' ORMA.NDY..JUNE 1944

The jPPN~l and PPN-2 radlo
beacon or Eureka transmitter

sent a slgnal to the R~.lJecct'JJ

recetver carried aboard Weald tra nsports. (1) shows a.

rlgger-~nad,e harness attachment fom'the PPN - ]; (2)1 iUusitFates. the sim rllaTf rpN~:2 being: unpacked and

set 'up ~nOI1Je'the trooper's lmprovi sed ten- pou ell liS fOI Thompson magazjJl~~)I.
1(3) holdstbe standard SCR~

536 'handle- aUtie~ JadW.o mod.wed to tak1eth~ BC-619 antenna so as '~O functlou as a ho.rnlng transmitter; at his feet note also the' lrf221
sjg,nm,~ nnp'~ Wl'd.d:l could be b
LLSed berm the sboalder
()If

set up 0111 a tripod, (4) shows pathfinders unroUing an A.L .. lcl!i'(lhigh-vlsmbiUty cerise-red

s[igna1pane~used to mark s:pecific DZ/Lb andto

si,gna] other messages, Slde tapes allowed the panel to be' pe,gged d01AfD. Flashing beacon lights~co~O'ured. smoke grernad.es, and ftre pots were al so used by

pati1findl.ers.. (Peter Dennis ,@ Osprey Publlshlng ltd)

42.

INTRODUCTIO'N~

ArRDonNE vVARFA.RE T'i\CTrCS

s~,(rll, Dec~pHon operations spUU]ng uff fromboop

were also rnounted.wlthatr

attacks on adjacent areas, bombers

TO'LIt'es,~

carrier foemattons h) follow mts,I,'E'ading

droppj,ng"chaff~ 'to

tmlfu~e radar and even dummy paratroopers. Troops would not be told wbat the objecrlve

'wa"until just before the operatlon, in some case's not until they took off. Even though the troopsmight not know the exact ubiiect~ve" ex ten s,ive training ill no re~le(llr~a['1ii were usuadJy conducted, Because paratroopers can lose their leaders en the drop, 01 s.i rnply faH to U,nk Up"each OlIH1 had not omly to know his own job but alsoto havea
dCflf

[J~LhJre 'o,t his subunrt's

role.

tune before the operation commenced airborne units were moved to the dfjJ~i ture airfields and detailed coordlnatlon was.conducted between the ~umpnl,a5H~rs and r alrCTl'lIiI,between g,Uder pllets and tug pilots, Security had to 1 e matntatned at tne alrfj,e~ds.~ while rnesslng and ,qu.arterlng 'were arranged, Parachutes, dropconralners and other spec-fed equipment were Issued along with amnaunltlon, rations and rnedlcal supplies ..Containers and tndlvidual equipment were packed, and equipment: secured l(') gliders, Lest-minute bricfjng~swere conducted and the most recent aerial photos. 0 the targ:et area distnbuted.
A short
>

o:f the plan was the marking of DZ/Lls .. After S~cUy the Americans and iBri{[:dlused pathfinders - small teams of specially trained paratroopers who woulcl ju~np bl ,e,ir!} 10 mark DZllZs. They had little time to flndthe correct zones and mad: them ~tVhHe' arV[)1lUn,g enemy contact. US pathfinderswere smalt provislcnal teams 'ormed from. men drawn trom parachute regiments, B,rUish airborne divisions h,ad an organlc 'Independent company' with assigned pathfinders. They would be dropped by specially trainee]' pathtinder transport crews wt[h sktiled navigators ...
Fhe Russians sometimes had partisans mark DZs, but w~th mtxed results, the Germans and

1-\ critica] tearure

Japanese dropped ~bLindl.The [apane e, conducting S111aU-5!caJ,edaylight operations generally . lmu '1d th emr'DZs,loca:ted ad [a cent to e-as ffi 1 locata ble obj ecuves 0 r land Inarks, ~ reconnatssance Y plane with an expert navID,galoI aboard would lead the formatron to the DZ. The Germans used slmilar methods, and also tried using the same technique as for night bombing; the lead aircraft would signa~.'by radio for all transports 'to drop their troops, but thjs, gave unsansfactory levels of act:llf,ai,C:Y. ill 19'43: they tested a. radio buoy (fl~'lk,boie),. a short-range radio packed in a shockproo! container whtch was dropped 'on 'the' DZ by the' reconnaissance aircraft; transports, were to drop v/h,en they over-,t],ew the signaf, but· the projecr was never fuUy developed. During the Ardennes d10'P preceding bombers dropped Incendiary bombs on either side of the' DZ, to create two incendiary Denno fields (J3,tlU(lbo,ulJeufeJ,d) between wi1.id'l the trensports were to drop, this, too, proved unsuccessful, due ~()n, air defences and poorly trained aircrews,

As mentioned, transport crews needed hlgh levels of skiUmn navtgatlon and tight formation flying to ensure that [um pers landed it} relatively ctose proximity to one another, Pilots l'uJld to achieve the requtred jump 2.I}tfutud'eat the necessary time (depending on the situatton, transports might approach the Dl. hIgher or mower than the jLID1P' altitude), before UHC {lUng back to the slower drop' speed 00O-120mph). They' had to coordinate effectiv~Jy
4.3

A!RBORt<E with Lh'C'jumpm ...st.cr. slgn;}1 the ~~dl m the proper ume. rna! maln :5.\t.ak&f1 a nd level (light ~ wlttle the- paratroopers lumped. iU'I(I drop external eqmpmeru ecntnmers. Th~ ~ran ~P'OU reemcnon depended 011 the s! ae of t 11e D1.. AIK'r~n m Igh l •ravel In :51 ngfe {I 101:, 10 t1~ abrenat. or In,'], 'V' reemauon. T11'C' Inlerv3l1 terween each :;!Ihcr~Hor ·V' 'W1!5 up et I(-,Mt tOO--200 y.ards ('91-IS3m) ... lIo~\I'll"!g J u i11P"f:~ IJl tile l~d'llg aimiJrt IQ f.ll~ tow enough to evold the rollow'l1l.f!: trcraf l. lrt H,ghl formations, 111 a c-oer to place as many HOOp~ on 'he gOCH.m,u If! tbe-shoJt~s.t possible tfmeeach followlflg 'V' mtghl1Je"1.00u150ff (150_2rn~ h Lshe'l' than Ihe priXWlng one. SqmHht.wttlon~~;rL')ups were kept together ~bQ.1 rd a transport cr gIlder, bul lLr!lt he<!l(iqll!llrt,CI:; personnel a 1'].(1 crew-served Weaporl5 \\'~~ split and cro5.S·1Q;J(I~ aboard ()lffe1~n1 .:;:r;J,ft th2l~ not all would IJII)" 10M If an alr<:r;\ll(twas shot 50 down. It. machtne-gun (J~\I' OJ a rew men tram the company headquarters might jump' kn
the same some ;5-tl~k 2I~
:;!Irifl~

squad.

troopers g~ner~lly ca rrted 1>)' meat IX!IiQd tra I1SPQrl~ were a lerted from the I)Z. ThE!Y stood, checker! C' ncb ether's i!q ujpmcru 01 nd parach LIres, hooked up th etr stattc line'S to t he 01 nchor cable, manocu VJ(!d drop con til i n(!JS il~to the door, and stood by. Trl(! l)i101 Sign c lied I he [u III r .....a coloured iigli Lin I he 'i t h CElrl)' d~y~ jU[D11:§. were Lomh.lctCll at LiP to 1.(XI(Jfl (305m}, bul 45.o-lHXH't (13i-U~dm) ultnuucs were soon aa.op-1crJ ro rN..luL-I?the a mount or [Jj~Il(.'lsal Lind J i mit c":XIKl~II.lIt me u 10 8wund! fire. Whilc there were LlJstZlnC'-C'S tlt~cC'ildirIS pilrLilrooliCl"S.I:K-irl& oi hit by sucf tire" Ihi:§. ..... acrumly rare. illl-d ~i&niriCilI1t casuuhtcs were uncommon -.LI man filliing I.LI..'i; (and S\\i'ilJgiI1g) Lit 'l.'tXI"U 16ft (.5m) .;l s.c-cmla is. n ~'l.'l}' oj fflcu II targct, and fr(llM .. 00 to SOOrt t (122. 10 152m) he ts 011~y ill uic air fur between ZO.aM 30 seconds. Par:! ncopers were more ccncemed aOOlll tlC'eS,.power hues n nd bllildil1gs (though trees
18]lo1 ra cu ~ 31~ nol necessaetty :;!I:5- da Il._gerom,as somert rnes ,(kS~LLm!KI~ p(kr.a trOOjJ'eT5 are l.il.lL,g'lt how to p~Te ror I~!;! la n(llng5:, end 31l!" fairly \'i(!"11rotected ~I ttleh harness, parechete packs .and p ~LlipmeJltl. Deep \.... ater obstacles are ul w.ays !II concern for Jl~V!ly loaded [u m pets. AItl10ugh Ihey were i~}lH!d Lnflat<!lbl!;! iild:!;!I~ Ir a mil n ca rne down In deep water he had IIfe ~ljr"'LI.j]ILy chance oi frreln.B him~~1r fJQITIhh. hemcas in rtrnc to u~ it, Whlll: there \Veri: no drownln&5 ~mong parermopers in the ~h.illlo\'llly Ilooded areas 'Or NDrmo1ndy, the J~al problem wifh these was t l1al they hi nd{'rt.'d ground movement. al t hou,gh a g-rut cteal of

111~ eIght to min u til$

s~ h l.'~~(.'ntiiliwnen (!Xiiin.g me ahc-rElrt: a rate ot DOC!. men p"."raeconn i~ ncrrnm. 01 nn here ls certahtty no Ii me fur tbe hcsttertons or n 11i11ncou rag! n& words seen in HOllywQOd c mcvtes. The Ill.!; were lypi~aLLy smEll]; an Elimait l"lnIJd be o1crOSS and 1:X-~'L1lJd ~COOnrJ~_ it In RilrJiti 1.'"}[i\"~ (.'mum1 l~ht~r I.• thn:s 01 !i.tjc~ fOT rilpili ~llb'ty~ .. ISo m il1\.'"21.''ty planc-Ioen a talldca DYt!r a spread or ubou t 2(JO.....300aIds 80-210 metres). y A parachmc jUIJlp u ';];IJ cxpenencc of wild contrasts. One rncmcn t the- hcavily 'l}urd(!-nc:(Ijumper is. tnstde u 110i~'i, crowded aLrcTi!I.t~ uudcr Ln\(~11~rm_'~surc:;he mascs an .;]...;irenElJj n-ehiug-Cd Leap, welcomes the uneomlortablc bu t ["('I3JJurillg open i ng SIl,OC].::, ilnd then expcetences a pteasnm floanng scnseuon. in a sucncc broken only by the quter receding drone of aim~{~, His vler ....is grand a ad uu-enccmpevnng, I7lec:h~'ks hi"50lilOpy, e loojs around I.Q ensure Lh.iL1e wlll noO!ooulde .vu h other j umpers. tf1C;5. onen t h Imseir, h to perhaps tele;!i;5.e;5.leg-bag or equlpmcm on th-e lowenng Itne - and then the eartf rushes. OJ u P' to .... -ards hb eyes. .il.nd knoc:J:j. him over 1rUQ a n orten-renee rs.ed tumbltng roll. La.nd i ng wl t h :;!I full lo.a-d: r eq LItpmeru -(.a0 be oil bru Ls!flg expenence, o bu ~'11 ot QVE!r!y so.
!

"

INTRODUCTION:

AI IUJ,OllNE WARfARE.

TACf(Q.

A"~\lmillg

he was not

LrljUK.'t:I, the puatrOOpcr

ccttapsed

the canop)' tilt'

(to drag

it Out of

s!Rt'lt,

time

5.truggle ,and me ~~Il:lhly

pcrmtutngj: un llpp.."'(j tne ehe-:sl pLtc-k. ai't(l re(('QS('(I free; ~1Iec:1.e(I his gear In the drop bag; and wern In search !II.'I»r.atcl)' dropped ccntamers. His training had emphasized
.ue.a
(1$

harness

buckles

to

of the rest of his ~ti('_~ making bird'H.'Y"" hi$ way to the panorama of

rapidly are a , the

as possnne.

A few seconds

arter cn;oyillg.a

paratrooper WJS no\'" among cOllfllj.iJ'l.g trees and hills, uiUlble to make out Iillndmark~.Sotdicf$ eventually learned to setl!(1 routes and ~mbly areas based anthl!' JlAtllr<l.1 How uf tcrratn. 'Wdl.ITilirlt-d paratroopers knew to go 1000'ijtf(]he 'socno of the guns', roJlt'('1.i.ngtogether I in ;grOUI)S trrespecrtve of Il1h::u ~ubunll Ihey belonged 10, and follOWing .... oever was senIor m f~'tfl if h-e WiI.!; an otnccr or NCO they haCi never seen before. That is why traIn lng, rt"('.ilIs.11~ ~J1oI:J IJH~ Iull .kno~ ... tdge 01 unn plans 'I'ere so rri tir.a! tOl parol troopers, J UniU could not afford the time 10 conect aU personnel and equlpmenu they wenr nuo ecuon
tlle 'iutfOUl1dil1g It "'iJ~origlrmUy

was an -ob,·jO'I,.I;5. ncc;:essh-y for

en\1"iS:ioI'IOOUl,'l! most parachute cpcranous fO!l.II.b.. but for rarger ope-auons It

for the en~my

",,·uurd was not [ump's

be

iI'

nigh!. and

-n]i~
us

i1~\II'.n}'S precuenl. location

O-...rkness
strength.

mnrtc and

It difficult almost

tmposstblc to flrt' mCI] \\"hilc they .....!H!" descending; I It also ru~'~rcd their movement on the gtoand ~nd subseqcem operauons. However, f"iigtu operations virtually ensured thai DZJ1Zs were missed: they were eJ;pec:I.ally dangerous tor gnders, and made assembly lind movement to objccttves exrrernelv difficult I·... arrocpers eonducung subsequent gtouncl operauons r ",'ere just :I~ handiC".nppc.'d at n)ght 4» other troops. Dayllghl operaUons. ensured tocarinn of OZ/U5 and greatly eased
a$Semblyand

,it

to detect

ajrl;r.nft,

the

movemeru.

Engagement
on tne ground, ehbome UJ1IIs. \I~ S13Pd,ud .nf~ntry ucncs, [lIUOI.,.lflg for tJ1 crgantzattcu and avallable weapons. and cornpenserlng for !hl!'lr tack of Ittavy weapons 5UPI)OrtWlth .aggteS~i\"t1'L~S, They also e:;(pect~'d to flghl outnumbered and possibly eni;lrded; while il wns ~ldom t11M .hey were oOOf.Ilpoletely surrounded, pararrccpers dld have to cmuJdel thel' exposed flan ks lind rea, mure th.;!11 line Inf.a ru r)'The}' ofttn had muc if 'lI~y reserve because of scauered and I11ls~ing ufumen t~.. Whoa t reserves there were had 10 Se<'UC"ene flanks 3i'1<Irear, tasks \\'hich were also given to r 0001: diffclL'ntl!'5 hea.dquilrteJ~ and servtce crements. ~mb-Ied thQugh under str-eongth, unns would press

on to

objecU\'('$ aJHI cng2ige the t"nemy. Casuames would be suffered,. but the engaged units l'f{HJld be retnforced stendlly by a ttickle of stragglers ooming in~ Once tilth OOj('(th'C: was secured. paratroopers ~'i'OOldproceed '0 olher objecU\'if,!s. or esrebllsh e
.heir d'l'fence ~u~'iivt' would aM and aWilit rdid by ground forces. They tended to to protect their todgemem an.d wllh units. patrots, cventl,lilll)' aleg'l"tcy of the old raider doctrtne, paratroopers !l.ear detachments

support units

On('~ relieved

errwe by ground or by the ground force,

and early

sea reanspeet the preparaucu

augment

tllt' "lr.(1'eUvefoo mission,

(in theory)

would be withdra.wn Thts somenmes often Ihilll~110\, perlods.

re-turned ~rr(~;J~p;m~ hcrn;e"\'er, u.s,

to base for tl"bu.U<lJogitll'ld British ilnd Scvtct

rOr the next were 50 eonductee. 10 Hghl

GCJnulQ operanons

More

p-a.TatrOlJpcr~ connnued

rcr prolonged

P'ART I

cs

TITe. gre'Cltmomen: flas arrived and ,an insttucto« checks ,kiis re:c:ruitJ ' equip,'tt1,f!Ht "before ,t'11f,rr (ifs,t iZU11P~ (Ccn"tesy' of C17.ristopl1 erAUsby Hlsto,rkl1l A ~c/lives
1

FALLSCHIRMJAGER
Recruitment and enlistment
·Dle! fi!lmtm JJYXhr die lleIJJ'f! dk/rt geserJ055(!Jr!' ("ljji!' tragp heM Irls/', the r~UJksslm~1 rlslrl ta:rt0P.Cf!') Fits! ltne or the s.oilg wru len In memorhl to SA stcmurooper Horst WoC'SSoe'L which some! hili..g or a Nazi anthem. Prcspccdvc iIIirfidd 'r"OJmHIX"rS iClr uic Stendal, Fal!SC'hirmtruppcil ill 'C'.LI_rt)1

became

1939 """tre SCl1 to the toW!'1 and L K'lJI1 SI1JdcIlNl ollly IWD hartal i(lns strQng.. barl hh

or

sornc 60 m i I~ (9CJlm) 'i'I"CS1f Bcrlil; - • tie heme CIt General a

wiU

.slo'Lv ly

grQ\'l.'i!18, 7th IIIieger DiviSi.on.' At thi$ tim!!,. tho division 1111...ar

but there \\r.a~ the normal ~~ree of .ilttril'iQn and, In <!InyiI;.3~,

rOC\J~ on expa nslon, because everyone knew 1l",1.~ one 1\"OOJd typk'illly tll'ld oneset f pari. or ~1VOOp or
unucnus, They moS"tly nlr terce bui Inc.ludJng

eyes firmly ~'.a.s QfI tts '~y. Arrivtn:g at $teflQ:;!IL .jI (lweI"! or 50 YOUI"!&rn.. n If! ~ ~JI;e1,)' oi e ,l-sprlll'kJln.,g from the ;,rmy and the odd naval fJ(Jng.
Student

were drivei'i by truck to the ai.rfjeld.. and ..hen escorted by a oorpcrol io ..he barracks but Ihey would share du.ring the tC':S1 progearame ,hal would determlne Lhelr suimbi.Uty as potcnualparatrocpcrs, An cxhncsnng memal nnd phystcnl currtculum '\I':IS spreadoeer se-eat &1'3.. und those wlio p.LI.s.sctI: soon Jocnd OuL that uic parachute scbool~ (win cight-woC'cl: trilining rtlogralllillc w~ in some w.;],y!; ven harder_ Ik".rwc 11\('trial D~' OrdCLit lX'gtI.-l,IhOugh, e them WiI:; 01thorough medlcal cll(>:<:k.. F! ~lly. <!Inyont' wc.iJ;hill& ever <!IbotJ1 1&51b (85kgJ ~'I'M tokl to jose \\"'clY,t qulclJy '01 else', became thill w as the maximum S<!Ire lilling cepncny at HL(' parachute 111~nIn USoI:, the R.Z !. T1101:1e ilI50 an 0111 mas experfence flLshf In an ag~lng Demler. For most. 1111.5; \""-;!5 e.l'hLliI~11ng t1rst·llmoe-experience, 00. ucee who became d!j2)' OJ were sl,(;k I\~e downgrildoct 1J.ec3~ slclo:J1,ess liSoeS@:Jl},dr.;ltl,QT1 end pararroopa have to be rully tlI o and a~rt when they land. Fear of heights was also lesLNi! by maklng al-1ldk!ilt(.".;5. I !JJ'\lP Into a tnnk or water frorn OJ :S0i.. (1 to\\~/. TI1.-encame long cross-coentw rum and oostacle courses, both tackled against the clock and each omer, IndMdua.LJy or 1J1teams; these t~t~

iii"

seu

'8

FALLSCHIRMjAGER The cosrea possura (or exitillg (lJlI 52 is demonstrated by [ormer German Ile(lvy-weight hoxingchampionMax Schmeling, all earty votunteer for th~ F(llls(hirllltrllpp~ll, AltholiS/! statk lilies call b~ seen to Ilis i~ft trailing out of the doorway as t}wlISh a number of men have already jumped, tnts photo was obviousty poseaon the ground alld lie is I/Ot wearillg Ilis gmmllets. Note second pattern (rollt-Iacillg boot.~. (Courtesy o( Cnristopner ArchiwI) Ai/shy
Historical

49

November

Swdent be,gJns fotmwng Sturmabtethmg (A.ssaW'lDetaehment) 'Kodl" from elements of

'111'-B'le
.. - . t-'J .1 ~ -1.1 I

11 and U/riR ].
Hermann Godn8:for.ms. rDUz€.labt~lung

ISl4D
f\pril Denmark: Nr .. ~. .Kam.pamii.~of I/FjR 1 eaptuees alrB.elldsilDd bridge. Norn~a:y~NL 2 Komp(D:~.h~'
:s~ll'Jes a.i.lfi1eld,
C'apihJli,e'

(Pol]i,ee De~achrn.ent) ,j'\Vedcei' Landespol ill~igruppt2

(later renamed rp![ov.i::nd.a.:1 1'01 ruce Gmup]

"'N'ec.ke~)rwhid:l. indudEl, a s,mall parachute .. ·

while Nr; :3 KomnlPa.nte helps

tratned air section (L:u-ftaufst,c:b1).

another ~kill'eld. N.w.

'[ Knmpa"le' f1o!r(;~d

1,'931:
I',ebnuuy
tufbvaffe' brought into exlstenee headed by

to suuender b)" Bi.llitishhoops. HoUlILnd: fJI 1, excludlng .S,rumulbtl[!Uu:ng

~I(och"~ and f<jR 2, capture 'brIdges rune! air6~ID.ds.

Retchsmarsehal! Goring. ~ande8poU~dgruppe 'lWecker renamed LPG

'General Go[b'lg~~whilch is. later transferred

nJ~wn: 's,wrma:bteibn:Ulg ''Koch' Emael and bridg.e~.

'ta_k~5 Eben

from poltce to Luftwatte oontrol.

113'1.
January
LPG 'General Godng: renemed ,Re~:m!e_n~ 'General Goring';, A German parachute corps
is, iutwugu.m.tea3nd.

G.E,~lJe: l~R I, fJlR2 and ~;jljlR.3 complemented by tlte descendant ,or tl,aJtlcptm.ann (n.aw 1vfaWor) :~lld1"5.1'940 S;tuFmabb!r~llngf e'xpanded inte
.~_)utmllandlle-Stwm AilJimd1ng Assault)

voJun't~f!I$ .a.r~ clUed

Bat,iiljoFl,

.~QiI

to'

esUlbUs"ha ]::aJlschitm5!ci'l.u;t:zen

(Paraehute Rifle' .Battalion).

OKI~ fObe:1LKom·mt,mJndo d~~ H~)eI~1!or Anny 1Hi.gbCon1mand} a]SQ, calls for volunteers
Iln:f,~Ul'lLry

:§·eplbeDIJber

tOI

Form at new Schwere:FaUschirm lnrfanterre

iompau1e (H.ea¥yI?~rach1Jt~
Company)"

Dec!e'mbe·f

atnd par(l:chuteaslSauJt:s, Iaunched.fcllowed by air- and :Siea-landed troeps ()i~ 51th G~bir.g.s (lVlountarin) Divis.~.on.. Ilttlsisi,a,~ 2nd .B,atlt,won o,f Me~ndrs Swrm1'leg,~ment precedes bulk of 7th FUeg!~ir IJwvhton to L~ngiadJfrollt SbtJID 's ~e~nlorC!ed. ~]R.2. sentto tbe U.kr,BJlne; the 'rest of 7th FUege:rn~vision is pulled back..

Regiment. Glid'6~bome

19 3,.,
1

ApllU

F,d lschJnn:scl)·ub:.MlI Bat.aUlon detached

h·ODl IRegmmerJIt ~ Gene'raJ GO[~' to beceme

Re.gl_menl ~'Generil] Goring' IIDq)'anded into

Fa.Usdlirm Br1g,ad'e {Hermann: Goring'.

Ahka.~ FaUschj[]'11Bri,gil.d~'1~am,c]{e'~ 'fI0WJ], to

July
:-' 1'1- I-=-"IiI~I
1 ••

[ B,atallon., Ist faUs.cllttRlja,ger le·gtme'fiI.t U/fJR, u, ThE! ScbwBIeFal15chlrm [ufa.n~er-i,e K,om!Ja:nie is. expanded to ,(I biBi'tl:alion. G-(!nE'r~dmalior .s tudent gi.ven fei:l-pon.sibibity
for '~onmng '7·d'lF.lieg~[ Division ..
1 _'

1iobru~ [0 bolster Afrika ]Korps,'drive 00 the Su!ez Canal and Cairo. lR.lw5,sia·:: 7th F]ll.~g~r i'V'ision Slent tn Srrno~~ensk D bon~ and later reaamed lst F-'aUschtrm,i"a.ger
Drhr[si!on (1 FJD). 11:'. 1t·'l·~' JL\.diID.C .r. .Itd·.~ga e: re.na]n~UI ·~I It. dl .' ~gyp'!L ... Jlu ,a.:: 'D,_l'J.;E: ..
[Ii ' ..

January

Slude:nt ta'P'POll"ltJOO IfiI.spekteurr

der lI!'allb:c:blrm

und tuftlandetruppm (Inspector of Parachute and AJdand'~ng Troops). Heidd,eltil's. Army pa.raCbUl11f banalion ,ab!iii(J1ibed~w tlJftv.l.~aJre tb~
,as n ·B.artajUon~ Ist FaUscbirrnjase:l:Regiment

2nd FaJbchiJrm lBli.pde'. Tunisia:: Furtber ,faUs·chjnntrup;pen ,airlifted into Tunisia to retnforce Aimfi!egn.lppe· (Army Group)1 ~ Afritm' .

11143
FaJlscb:fururn.llriglade 'Hermann
Gorii.1I1gJ ~xpW1d.s

(n/r1R.l) .. ApplrOI\13 I,g~vifn to be;gffinra:wsing~ a thIrd

ba.ttB,U£UiI .for 1 st Falls:rolm:l.~ager Jitegiment

to faU:schirm D~vhlion ''JiG''.

1 IFJD and .K,tunp:fgrttppe

(:B~.ttl~gFoUp)~s.turm~

(IU/FjR. l}a.nd a second Ie.limenr

U1Jill

2),

brought bad from IIbl551bl.Rarnck'e~s land

all as part o:f7lh '!FIDleger Djvisio:E1 ...

StUJW's. brtgades form nucleus, of nelN 2 FJD

so

l~l\LLSCH~RM].AG ER

commanded

by Ramcke, Reconstructton of 1 PJD and ~HG~' wil'S;JOfl begins. New 5, FJD D

IBulk of 31 and SUD

df!iOm,arled in Fa~,alse
2,

poc,'ke:t while 6 FjD battles in front of Plids.

Allies ~Jay s,~egeto Brest, defendedby PoJand: '~iG' DiVii-sw,(u, fans back,

forms areund cadre' of Xllli~,gef"k:I]G[plS/ L~11r

I •I,ll .

UD'.

-ly .

Ule:mo,ns'tration, Batalllon, SicHy; fJR 3 and 4 B1irlUled tn to reinforce

'ir~GJ Division. Ramckels ,2 FjlD

S'eph!mber

moves to

Ramcke surrenders Brest, 6 f]D reduced to two. ba ttaljons,

Eastern ~Fri(lntlE.)[~)iUlS~ono:r HG"Division ~ irnto a,OC!o~ps,C\Qij1Sistingof ill and 2 Fallsdlti1l'm,

eutsklrts ep'~ember

(l,r Rome,

~lily~, Allied fnrces lnvade and B,adogUo stgns the srrnlstlce, 1. 1ZjDClP'POSes, BriUsb E_tgbth Army bwndi,ngs; 2. FJIf] occupies n,f)llme. iHG'

Panzer

Di:vtsi.ons, ..Wesl1ern Flout:

3 and Is

.s flU
S ~:11

comlmi tted to ,adionag~jn st J.\Uied force

Holland and JUsace, New' 2 FJD CO[1J:5itructern •

'Dwvisi:on spearheads counter-a It,act agillhu'lt

US F~fltrhArmy lIleachheadlat
fJt 7' fre,eMuS5Qliinl.
Octdl:H~l'

SaJe-fno. tvlen err

3, ,and 5

FJD' rebuilt and form part of Sixth

3 -FJDforms3JIound cadre from -FjIt ]t. "'[-lG" DivisIon ta.ken. out of tlle llne..
,4FJD ~()'m1S around naeleus frona 2.

Panzer and Seventh Armees fortbe AIdennes a ffens,l.v,e. Latter WViS.ID(U'J, helps delay f~ tL'O,OIS,

November Decembu

FJn.

Russia: 2. FJO posted to ZhJtOIDi:r front. .2 r1D aldUled to Kh'ovgrad and tak€.$he,~vy
ICa5:ml1llt~eil during Ei.gb Ung.

"1alrd .AJ:my as n :!dIu,ggh~$tn relieve Bastogne, 3. fOJD b,elps tiQ delay "Hodges" firslt Auny [cturing Us advance to the .RhIne.

Suppl~,e:lnentary parachldie dl,()'P by a. ~ped!alI

deta'c]:rme:mt ea uses Am.eriIJ:,ail panic, New
18~JlFanS!c:hjlm.ji~lger ~Divj$i.on' form s at
aegfs ,of new

111,4:4
Jam,lI,UIlIrf

n.a~y=1 and .4f FJD faU lIti1de'r

1 FalbrlM.Imkorps,.
spelBl.rheadieourrter-attaek
i

lBO' Djruilo,n aJJ:ld 4f.1U

a gai1'ls,t .A~Hed

I<tUn- Wahoo

bead, head at Anz.io.

FebruaJ"y 1 ]:1 D t:aJiQes, up defen ee o~ CassinQ and Mo'ntt~
Casslno. M.a,cb-Apr.U .He.~ddeh~sn'leu repulse AlH,ed att~mpts to

Eas't@Tfl Fn1 nt;: The two lHO' divbdo'lJIL$

I

are 'en,udJ~d by Sotv:i,e't fOrb~.s. Western Front; 7lPID delays 131itbh

XXX Corps, Western, Fron~:J, and S I<JD'virll:~laJly annUti]a~ed west of 'the n:lruine. Thefew

take Casslno

pOlSitio,n

out ,of the nne

s..'HG ~Dl vbi 0 n taken and renamed 1 Pallschlnn

Panzer Division '~G~'. ,ltIGf Divi:Sion rushed Into counter ..attack

when AIU~s brl~wk out of Anz:io' beac:b~:u~il.d, but is fOJDaed tofal!] back. Order' 'to evacuete
CaS5,~no

survtvors meet their end in the lubr pocket"

3101l1g

witb those "from.Zf]D. East,em Front.: ,of two ''HG~d i 1ISlons evacuated.

$Uf\riV,Q,fS

Ap.riil

pa~:ition!i.F[f;2ln.Of! Sm:vi,v(l[[~Qif to Germa

~taJly::: 1 and 4 FJO' 'surrender. Ea!)terfi Fn)ut:: Remnsnts of ~HG-" div~siun5 surrender to RIedl AllllJ' troops, Ne\;y,[ya~,tltted so-called 9th,
f'aU scl::ll'fm~ag~r ~Divisio'rw I destf1O'yed as Soviets drive' on Rein-Un. nd the same 'fate a

2, FjO' repatriated

ny~ Y'l.~gloslt!J.via~

500 SS~~aUsc.hirmjage[ 8atall]o]] lands near "~to"$ headq uarters, uary:: Rnm.ll:' falls, ][ fJD transferred ~B Adriati,(
sei('t(j'il'~ Jr,ance;

AUied
J]

forces, ~,and in

befallsthe U) FaUscrnrmja,ge'J[ Czeehosl JU'V·~" i'i'~ - L""';lIIEil:il,",,~ .n,~-.~,

rOivbion~ in

NOmla!nd.y; only FaUs.c:hirm.~~g,erunit I~ac~ng

6 ~ID~i'FJD and
jDiv~ion
i

au, Pii'llh,chlIm~igiilI

them is FJ1~ 6.

,FaUschinm'korps

moves 'm

all surrender,

NO:l'lIll,andy 'tvtth 3.

r~JD in

Sf. .L6 secter and!

5 l]jl[) o'U1tside: CHien, A.M ~ll11b'ryo ,61[i~D forms

in rtorfherrr Prance,
JUll'? 3

fJn ta kes and iflrflliet::;b.emivy casualties

:for St 10, 5 'FJD aWso 11tavHy

dudngbCl!ttle

en.g3led. ~HG~ DhrW:i.i,onpuUed

out of naJy~

51

MIl-BORNt

uatural

:Jggr(-Sj.jon.

will

to

succeed

and

the .;3blll.~1 to woek with m hers. The l~l1te.r was. particu~rl)' important 1:K:'"C<l1J.st the' \!(I.)ml seers came (tom ffiiJ.ny differe-fLt pa ns or Gcrm~ ny. "'hl4;h In It5dr 11r.!!i a novel cxpertcnce for most of I hem. SiIJO: C:OIlS('rif~tiO.l1 IhJoo~ LI',",Wehr kretse was on n ~!!:Jo.I1,f11~5, .;311 men h:;ll(t slulTed !he·
at least ullil$.. some local .affin i1)' ill ttl!."iJ !J.iJ.f1!nt

Nc.v someone [rom r-csssa. say, mlgl1~ 1l1lod him~lr .eam~tJ ~IP' wlt11 a naverfun. and each ....-oukl have to team to . mlt!tr.i;til.rl11 me ether's d.iaIOC1.
01 her ~.der~hll) arid ~~·Ms..(t~I&.n.~d to quamtes
1·001.;.,00

high 1lgh!

for fnilla ttve

Lion, Mal~uill sltiJJs.. such as fletdi ;5.L'iPPi1'I._.f!: iJ.I'H.!e-essembj i Il_g 11-~POriS r

illlLlgillll - 21&211n, aSiJlm1 ::.nul ilL)' 100. There mill t2lry ami the ·dod; - came 1J nder wrLt1N'-1
::!IS

W{'-I(' etsc botll

.iJ.nd oro1 ex nms 011 sublects

!::!I'J.\,'

es dfverse
jus.

.a nd Nat lonal res' knowledge,

ill

SQc1:JII~1 h lstcey to to

rJot.1ri.I'i.(,. The

I..LIUcr "'.C'[(! not

!(!SI candida II teracy vcturuccr

IYut

;3JSO tn

thel,

!lind fl LI~IlCY. If fee transfer

candtda to uic

'J.\,~1t!

']'1 ennann

leg!
Cmnmr m:roi.tbJ:t f'O.51i.'T.!i nrrpP.lolrJ..i~~~iWiil·.i'trj
rl~sl'lloo,rruu ~~

G~ri.n(

tile
tmc

ell t ry

Rcogim~m nco ,,"'01,.1[<1 hnve Icond TE!qU!ements r even tougher

also ill ~·DIved metal eVCJl "With i_m'12stig<ltiDn As it .he I i.IlY m;!ny as seem.
ill

IJCCiI.use I hl:)'

coact.

man's

-puruy'.
accepted

"C';!S. Mr.fll"\ge • hmlgh Pensctifrm

IL m.ay

mtncctry
The

or

i.ti,gcr rncn

Iewtsh

iUlNj,Lry,l

t~5., tlH)\I&ll, W111,,=,11aused c to their OJi.8illi!ll units

men

10 drop

OU L ~'olunf.il lily and OOt urmutuble Itt'

ot hers

II[] be mtumc-di

(RTU'd)

rrJIJ/NfI't_'UM'oI.'",;lJ}l.loNolIt11IJ/3
f'f.ufJ''it-"ioIr('xt.mrp.r('"nIIU~

~I~'

~00(i so[(ii.ttS

l)ilIr:J1rooj)C'1IllLneli~I,

was the imN''i,li.oC'W, \\·hi.("h was conducted

by "'-f9.ror
e~li!lillon.

Rli;h.jm;l Heldrl,d1 anti

w-i1:l

11'1most eases.

M:;!Ijor 1-ri:I,.artC'~ W";!I5CO of [! fiallsdllrmJ.!Iger

'VkWrf

{olIllfYll'S (lru 1.llI'i'IiIlm ',

(Aurhur-:treJlffrj'Olr,

atsc .LI L the Ii mil!"In cherge or process! n.g IlI:W fntakes (K""lm.raj"j(I~tr dd Men IITI't-o :kepI tlleir nerve and passee ims len were ncccprcd, howe~, prQ'Ill$IQrI.ally.intQ the Fatlse11innLfi.'popen • a flew II:l1te rcce Ilut 11-(iI.lld tnvojved in some be N~l(jrlr:lUSU·ll~l.(l~". or I ht' mos.t di.Lri I1J.]: iK1ion~
2 j!;vrJl,"NCf' {fJ' !IJill\LfoIJo ~fJ

of I Ill! war,
il FfoI1Mrjm!}ow~! f~(ot. ,~~ br:toJ!; p!}5t-Ili"f.lr

~ml1('
IIIorllV~.

FrJL'JrJ.ch ~ljl~ 1",1 ~ .Fr~'~, a frlrQIIf' of thor CamfgrL" fnllIoJ.l""P.IJ'L"N! rnrfflltl!Wnrll fj)r {,fIIIJ,lliJtiU.lI,. lJ~ j~58}. 1.1" ,rt'['jrJI.,! rhnl.·j h.m:1 rWlllJro'f.

E!.l!'lL..lm~

ifJ Ill)"

Om- '"""to!;:

Nl'P1J['W

u{.A r!l.!t'lr j.:-j1U'~·.i'IMI IIIrlr.llJ'f(' mlli'1

rn hu: fiN ~imM1IHR WYLt ,~ W'I of!( 'f

D:Millus. 6J- HaIIII ~1

f.ur\!I)I(m.r

r(J~3~

('rr.rm,rl!

1Ii-,l.I(;IJ~JfJOllIJ~llm5kwf,sh,·

Belief and belonging

"11,1,:5ne-w Reich 11!!i own educarton

1\'t-1Ii1j·rruiJl'i'I~F.irJIJ.tlrMrl.ljiJgff
1'"['(fII~lJ;, ..,.

oorll* of

lJ1't'N1
r.!M«Ji1

",m &l~
ami

It~ routh

to

nc-cne,

but ",'III l'lWlf U1ke YOlllh ~r,J(I give 10 yo\Jth Rmtl.

i.rmjtrjUl~lIr.1~ffl\pJ-r.I.. r1fJ.f~Y ~~Ijl I\"r.I~r

U~ own

upl1rillsin,s'

(Dr IkrnhaTd

Dr ~U51, 1.IWtO [ILid been sacsec rrom his post :;!ISa pre ... i~6al scuochnancr i Oil Lhe grounds oJ memat Imublll~y, freq'U~ntly \J~(I words (rom A,dolf Hilter's wr!li'1!!:,s :)fld !!iP'C'Xh es, \\I'hkh he turned Iruo bh own. iI!!i above, HI tler'5 r1)WIHt:lS (or Rust's dog-like devcuon and ri!lJtiltici~ln were til elevate h im fits! to Prussfan Mill lster or SOCllct, Art L1I1~ F.dLt(".;!IUO.n O!i'I,Q men to Retch ::-"111lIsle'l 'Of E(iut:,lliion il'l 193-~. Dr RuSI m n y have l.a,~ lali=nL, DLI t he ,",'35 01mclst • .a nd h ts IlmlLti:l icc Wi!I:5- utrtclen L qual! ncn non ror him to :5UcC'l!Cd s polilically <IJlt1i materiiJlly in uic Gl'rmiJl~Y of Ute rYlid-l9JQ5. UriJort'llJl.LLtCly, RLBt'! w;1rp.OO m{!"nt;;lllit)' gt<l,(lu..ally pervaded almost every sphere or G~n1"'H" Iif"" jileilld.ing !~H:n-es 0' schoct-aged 1xJy$. German oOOlIIlJUISOry educauon tor boys at the time- extended urn! I uic ~(' 18" ;11\("1 \\'h lch - following H i lien. rise to po\~ - a! I YOLLriS men hiH~ !O jOin rltc Web rmOlich. (MmoiXl

!1rJrJr.lo~ r.li(rlI.Ij~pfC-'~r~. (Qlr.lrt".I.r(lfGlri_\t.iJfI1~ All:wrUh!.ilfl,roJ'AJ'rlJIV('Jj

or

F<'m:('S.,

~CI udlng

•.he VY,j]Jrcn-S5)

or do ,j] term

or servlce

ln

I h a R.4!~dJarlJl!iwlj(!fr!jl C R.clcn

Latl()ur Servict).. The Iormcr -vas the more gILkmorol~~ cpttou Ilrlli-c-li nmSI eiccrce For if gi ven !lic cbolee. The C'e5Urgel"!l nde of nauoneusm .1 nected ~U Germnns 111 thll: i930s.. and pe'I1'I1.."<!Iti!"d tho whole oducatlcual sysuau. xhooli.n.g thmLlgbout Europe \\r.!~ in <Illy case,

AIRBORNE

r~T mere nTmly \l'aluC's

., ~Ithor! tartn n • han and cbcdlcncc

IL 1~ Lodily

end,

parttcuta

rly In Cr~nmmy

•• he emphasts

11·.aj. The

on dUly

10 God and country, I~'ith Ihco tilt'

teachers. patents .iJ.rlti pcttcemcu.

or uie «rnceuon syM~I1l,.coupled

RlI~L
Wil~

fI~H(jo.n's IlrN.l,omin.,']fuly

Lll~he'3.fI r3.ith.
i (11l1!rtl1ill& {Ch~pILl~n), a

Bent ham IrLCO(tl.5Itl~ l.\ld\\'Ls ~nd

not

alone

:Jlllon~t

dcr.iJ.rI.tlC'-Lli temcnn c r'1meSI,'lj1t

i (l~idiOU~I)' Gflnlltiff

iJ"LLOthe f::!.IJ.:ricof Gerrunn

S<i'CirIY. The

"tmy

~·f(llll1:l, \I'ho bad stnce

19~:2. E!rf,r:(:llv~ly If;!d the Gf;!rm;m the fir..;L Kt'i("l,jbi~/wr {OIlO\I"ti'S, bell~'i:rt bUI !h~;j'co

Chrl.stlam'

Fatth ...ri)v~nH!'nt ,

<!I I-Ii ncr's ill!§.' i.J.li.ll lou became

(RCOid1 m~hop). was usc

Si_gilHiell"L L flgure. M [i'llCt Prot~I.fInt!i. quote In C:~rm::my.

~fld his
t1rmly

nnd there vere mnny amongst •he ..S m rmon

~L~ImJ:'i. freedom 50 10n& as it 11'.a~ nQI, 10 ma.-',· 1::tlig,iOl,.u (and

in
\"'~j.

f-liH"I.!'T, il d.iJ.1\llll~r the o to did l"LOt~XI.~n(1

fOll

IllOr<l.l 11."Clin~ oi Lill' Gcnuau

freedom,
t.mher,

or till(!-

eocrse,
prt nclpal

so ju .... "S,

;jji~"Ip·'ePI'«N.~I'~
vlctcusty

ror nus. MutiJ'i

JC\\'s

nder

of Protenan

ttsm. 111 LJj."

hoo: raued

.iJg.l.lnsr

g)'PsL~,

in the to the

] 6111 ccn tury I hi!' nhotlrlon ill

I'lis lea('llilig:o of ChrL$tl:Jlllty

.iJ.1~ SI resscd

the need ·~hou.,gh churt:ll

iClr ILiII; a (Ld order ••1.rI(l olX'diel1.ct

ICOg.Li.II'I rt.pOLm~ ,jj

3.11 how res. L

~'C11

and

Its replacement

line wil h tile J\r),:lJi mytli. 111o(, J'rol~t.il(11 ~he i fKl.oclrii"I~UOIlof n genera tlon.
There diJrl'ren.t were, of OOUJ'!ii!, ~ her Itu~!~ voices

one lOr ~·I t]er's even WLit ;S.eCfl:1 ~!m5 \I·.a~ i by 01 form of Nattortal Soclallst Il~~ni~m beenmlco an ;:'11),!O:r\.gSL(t(o uic sencon in a
<!~ 1he time innituhon \\'hlle :J(]\'()['o1tin& 5Cllllct h i n~

III Gcrm.iJ.Il)' school as

'run;

·li1.ll.IidLiljOil of

me

au

M iJuNIC'C1.UilI
1111I;)lIy I~]oom t For I he! r

ae.ceauesII'\E HU 101:1"5
]1-iI

or to.~u.m~r's. N~z~r.ed! rue to power, found tm.t their ccnccm \I·ho became

01 r1;51I"nily.4
themscl
\lC5

~'!~ny

.::l'i'.lI'c11 le;)Gms. Ily forced to starul

gmrrue

:J&'2IiI1$Lhim.

i 11.!.,. most hero, of

iOb~ or '\'OrSCO, 011(: suel'l was I~LiSIOl MLirtiil ...... icom'l101J('r.n W.o.rld Wilt i U·boaL the! r en~llve s.polie5mn.n rm(l, .1;5.:;I resen. wrfl.!'rctl inc 11\w oin .h~ war i.iJtil's" 111.1ttue tn n S1,J(:~!on [;31Lon. c~mp.l.. 1\.·lilll)' schoonnancrs ~illllln

mil [cr! ty (97 per

II

e(!1"L oou·c-d willll LhE' \It'iltd al"LO rot LJ The Innshtl118 reacecn tlm)u,gh German !hcy

nco

NilZi l.~'JJ(ffttrrjoill aud rescu

form

or u:!ilchers' passed IRlt the even

IlLon) il.flet wilh liltlc or the nor

\\'(-'i:'(!

tx.'1\~"1."C11he church. t the Ill~I"L tn the The SU~L. ~hlld~ ~p;ttl1}'.

Ill"!!' schools

Naz! om~i.iJ.ldom or censcrslup cared 1II]1.Q \"I'nut-rt form

in

room
~Im'p]e

partly
ancl occacsc ill

as

Oil

peedomtnamtv
bull.: I('~ did ncr, on

teenagers

!lg.l1 tin;!!.

forces

in World

Wo1J 11 knew

Iii tit' abou L Lt aud !11~ ch o nges schools, meit

uswlly

even

rca Iuc

its errcers,

uplJ.·ril"Lg'ing

InUI.all~'. ca1,;tdf$mlll;'. S.IXJrl h<ltl academtcauy 1."VC'1Imore • nd a and ideal a more shcncr. of me Lih~·.iJ.~'~lK."Cl1 ~I ~ onnouccd Simlla rn lnded. ern phuns poltucal and German
<I nd

a re(IC'II"1.'tI N(LIJhil~i~ welcomed (:if h Ij,tory tessons I rLO!:.C'ill medic

Q'.hY5i~' Illness wcru

llj' mou and

'LI,'LilS prowbly

I.ly
enered

the

leu

rly. f-I!'W nolla!'4l

t h ~I 1he li~achhlg

to &1~''C tilll(!~ • fewer the

10 G ennunlc sl:)IH raveenng

arh ic.""·{,(I1CO(II$. JLirtiCUIEiJly I In bLDlogy

-v al

l"Ll2;,llde.Lills. Rt:lIgI0~''50 ecucauoe classes.

became

cmphesls

11'01j, l<!c'Cd Oil cugenlce p

In kc~pLn& ",Uh

M:!SLC'r ncce.

IWlCllrirmd{I.I.Il<)!:IiYrJ

~4rUc,m

t;.r~'hlS,

~Itflrl

Urro.lflJr

Np nr r.ll1.i.mran C;il'11~rk IIIwl .he C.ol'lorol'oll.;i. cf Iltl)' j 9.H, IJN

C'Jr.:.llJri~/,m til'

l'fr('ffm'

,vnh

f.I~J'r~mf'Jr« IK'Irlr jjl~ tne ft"1fgk!tJJ 1h'CJi1ll1l fJf

.\'iIJ~ III't"rI from

!~ImIJTJJbl~i,lJlI!rs

~11

1ooI'l"l'f' ~~jIIr<m\:jl'"ll(-.i

!lit ~JrldlfmZ

b,l! n dcll.Y'N~1

jrmt'T.Fr.I~lr~!r1r(!JilrJI"L")'

(IJ1'1-nlt~n!~rOrrl1c41",
~'llt~~IJ,rlrlPl.rt.jtrJifIVirz1g, j u.mJi'l!W'(um W'bllkr ObtvlClID.IITIrl tnro KI]I:'P.i.,

2/.t!'l7ofll1. RillS~. ,[,.>JrlrJil'JIl ~IJim M4'oi~1II'?", OlIl-llt~l'li'lIP.lrll,lW'jrl¥.~

l.cj~IJ'Nrl Hd"JrJrllJ O,!'tv/"lrl'III1'Jr.lC'r,nj,lv,.I.rm,umJ

Olle change in the lire cl a teenager 1,1Hch <!i.o110~JRI~~unnottced

13;}I.dur von S<:hlrJ.dl'~ Hltlcr Jr.W'/ld uie SA.. the heel a
mL~l

\\'r1.S membershtp
'U'I,{I,

of

(Hitler mote

rQL~tl1)_

Thh

movement ethos.

had been stuned in

L 926 .jJSiI junior ::ft.'CIon or i IllUCll rrom the (l.oy sccuu,

or 15 was made L9J6, embraced anucuc the ooys pu nutts, compulsory mar nave

s.rurjmrlm.')ilrj'~

(StOml1'rOO]J),

,\'hileo lxmollli Ii_g

hom the <!I&e

mHLt;!JIsti,.:

~'km~·shlr

in 19:56 ami

parents who otij('("tC't'.i ..... ere hcavl Iy filll.'d, Prim- rc 0' the

~n.

voh.l!"!lta.['Y members ActlviHe50

Jw~'(t.!t
runmug,

('i01.Jjlg 1:01 k), "'hleh ~'IIo'lnlmlng <lnd ether

10. 10 I ,jI.~;:IT.otd$. "'fl-ek~mJ

in 1)0111 Included

ooss-eoumrv CLFH.I

t.1I1II1)ill& l'Iik<.'S. ,\·[ti'l il'l;;!!P [j.[II:1compass,

!)ilu.
.\llt11lt

r'r;)C1iSin~

semophore. S\ru~le),

nrrns

.of ill,
and

leo,'] I i ilg n flel lJdlfig range p-r;t-C'1:I~_ 1113.-d.dl1on. classeoem t

111:s.1Dry, .... 111 emll~ 1 ~cl1oolillS r:c',LI:dlll.,I._;s from I-lillcr"'s camps

~l!"§.SiDn.SC'nlp-ha:'i!7.oI!"d Nil}'j doctetnc

Party

Kumpf.My youths Ii'l the

aucnuance fmmen xes! imt,lIll
51(!-

~Ild

(!\I'(!tyOO)1
sl\'1!'Jl

had 100team !11(,liots~ WesR'J song by Milrt, 01'<1.11:1

time off regutar

t-lit!c-r JI,J~Jl(l mates,

were ilnt!

ror

~nmm!!r

OJ

ut Party

mosl

wort!

their

unlfcnu

ano ceresnouial

d~eor

wnn

pride. TI"L-01(!1'11'110id nci, Or d

~n(1OO ullin ill Ihe the labour
soldiers

mh'l.'1\'o·iw servfee were

shol\'W
they [0 Ilad ~

II"C'Y \\~r~

'LIi1

responsive aueonveness

to Ihili!
nud In 5Qcbl 1he

I)mgr.lnlmoe, obcdrcaoe

when

rtilCh.i."t.I the <ll.l!lc 18.~ of

To IX!

\Vtl'lnllillChl.

~·OL1r~ lii~l
II'ilK'h

dcmorouatc
Gi:'rm.]~'

[0 Ofdim;,

qtl!)1I! fcs

h • .gr!;'~! .,. !he time

rc h~;i:k"n~

terms and <!I~I ["(!Il:s,th In mil i tartsttc OOUC,lU(io]\ s)'SI'i.":Ilj,S. i I~ mJ'I(,J S

6 S!ffltL'lret;,t!~ Jhr".I? ,jNiI.ird1 ,lIltr11mril~

OIl.{!'S,.But, U the r!!"girnl.!' :!>t."t'IIISdocl rlnal 01.111:1 l\.iJ.rSI'I, me

I!:IJ.OOpNif1 eccn Li'i('S. .;J"(!'Cr

lJ~ ~ {if'!.t

(It

d!rfll:1oo

IL~\teo,oi:xoepl Ln

20

~1'I'i'

il1'.Ipllwtml't'"r"lt dt'l'JI't'l'JI

JofflmPlng mr/J.,
.,mrlIIRIIJ ....lllfflr. ILIr MIliNI m r'" mmrylvtW

INr.I,!!" .mI\:J)'.!o.m

~n'JI m"4r1t"i~ jll

r~

~SnA(,R.r.i,hlkJI'('1'~J,'ij~"pr!"lIJr.I.
lJt£hUE.lfI:"'

u{ll'li.lt.Ni'f't'

r/lt' 1m,"

om,,. W J!"rit'.l1 S«wj'trJ

ImporiKlI'J{'J(tf

,rAllr

,I

~~'ibli
IJl1)I,Sf(1

~MJ i';Ilcr~

Inti

IILI [1I1=r.ig.I.1I'

1"/III/m'fflllt"ffll'P.rro,.ljtl'ilts. rinri.,\'jtzJ

'("""r/IIJC3"'{rN whfdl

or 1I"i'!'N

/!,ljlliUntf"Ng

.!roc..

Al ItllORNE

(Xili.inl

sense.

EkI~ :s.:il1ll}ly d.ld what

they WE:IC tnld, and

If they erred

they were punh!hed

ph:r's~Jlr ~~~tool
Lbelr I ransgresslon. Oil h ts band ...... ~Dn

und often

suH("r('(J
]-I

even

U·OrS.C iinhome wh('l~

LllCir

faU'tD

di:s.cO'\'e:rt.'d Into POI~"t-I

In th Is. w~y. ,\(101 f

ltl",;!r :;m(l • hOS'l: \1/110 wormed

• heIr way

~iml).)' lOCI!.;. till: ~1.a1LH (']1JOand adapted

it to their own

C11ds...

TIlt GCOrm.n nauon LiSit co.xislro iJ1. • M" 1930s Liild L9-40$ ..... a I~~t-IC' youln ilsclt LIlthe FI; as glnbn! context, 11..'1'\11,,& been brought Into poliH,~lextseoce by PLsrnnrcL!tess than a only
ccnru ry earner. mcuvauon Nevertheless. til ls S€n5€ of achlevcment or peopre, on the \\"Drld ~Iilgc W~5 u .!>tron,g

Il('lping to engender a H~IHe oJ ~tiil)' in ,\'hich teuer end .a(;knOI.".loC'(lg-l:mi;ml f lJoelo"g~f.lg ro -sometl1lf.1g greater than oneseu are o p<lramoull L The d~Jjcl{'- of Workl war I, foll(]wLnS 1\\"0 :§.\\·[!(!']llngvlctories wil h In llvl n.g memoi)' ever A'I.lSlri:Jand france, and It'l~ igilomiiliOuS., PUfLi!i1,!{'terms of uic Vers.ame~ 1'rea.ty hiill(l provQ-ked enormous resentment, Illh~ch !-litler ,;)11(1111-1: N:;!Iz.l5~L"5Ied ttl~ir to iI(J\lillltLl.gI! duri n..g and ~rteT their rtsc 10 power. This same sense or ecacnt ment 1\T.as 1Jo1~ onto >"'Ol.Ii'ig men il~ me )'"tLiI'j j}I~il~g W.o:rh1"/ar II riot Oil]}" at SClLOO] no il'! tile Nitlcr a Jl,.J~,,4;I. b~Lt lso lh:rooaJ1 ~rerus .'Hld p.IIr1sl'1 a prlests. Wl'1~t II\izy Sa.I.". n Mo!r HIHer's TJ!J!fd I
for the miljOD\:f Retch. 'ht"rt!imt'.
IY"U

!!"IlDrmQUSforward

Il'rogrcss on the home front aru..l ill Germany's

reL;atiG.i1shii)S With otbet COILi'Ulies, .Ihen iX"Oi)l~ who Mrl'tOlIt'td P.Ii\!Ol L~ doulm aboLI L ffiue!li of C'I.~tlf'.!nml SOOmll~1 theory and doctr! nc ~oo;gnl~ • hiilll ech levements t"liiII(I been made, ,.."i til regular pay packets nOW rtpl..aOll8 I he uncmplcymcm and innatton which had' cnppled rltc oOOuilU}' :5.tlch a short wbile ago. JW.rll 'Mi r POii'! L of ...i~111 !11<." f.athctl n "d will Slrong. prosperous mnd Inil LI~f1im!. t The- end result was that I11ml young men felt that whill IIlI!' State ~'i'a:s; doi n.s was r4;ht. "hey a tso agreed will"I. !"Ij\~n. dectston '0 rei rLUOO nee ccnscn puon tn J 93.5, :JJL(]'mea ccncureed 1\1'1 tne ....ew that servke In the armed ro-ees W~5 11ii11IUJ~!, triose Wl10 wem th tl'1~t
into the labour corps or the 're-education centres' (which ended up .jJSccnccnrrauon

JllWl.r..nrrrl~~fJ{d'il'tJl.ry

W Ilrt Fffl/!J(himuruI'Pni I'i! trro! 1Wr.uul'~'p.ri'l<::llrt'r:C'It.~rh ool'JS.&.:~,..u~I~rljrOjrJ rrllntti gNJlJ/' (I~ Cmt in W-1,_ (C.::ur.rlt':1y rJ{ Chlj~JN A/lJbr M5WrlmJ AJrlll'\Y.j;'

1.

(3111 poS)
1I1£:l[

were parents

1\"1!'2Illl
arlo

n.gs who deserved mentors proud.

ecerutts and aner

.1, .a rHI that

t1liI!Y \'Y1!m golng

to do their

1x!~1 to mil ka and pohsh, JiM ducks ill H-.e the to an or

lkIO~ CiU'IIP Ls mlt-c:h H1.~ same mlll:'r jugend,

roru.1'H1I

tn ~ny 03rmy, and the lectures

.'!fi.~f the -d1"5A:lpllne of ;5I;hool rcvctl!c. the aptt and

mLltdt(!s

rncat

1001.; to rho (!"aTly morning drill.

.;1[1(1

C211Ii~II'terliC$

intermlnable Ihut

route rccruns

thetrcrn

wutce. Wh::u cbenged

World
IIH."

bene

ir;!llni'1,s,

.'!n-d! even
1o'J'3~

,"o~ so

9In~r wins

selected fot
much anitutk

tlH,", bou~' of men

such a!l • he F-illlsch1TmlJu(l~n, t.

came .acrbM veterans

I\'nal
t\:'

"'\'.31 L and the Inter-war rO\mgs"L~rshru:l been I~\l&ll

Rcicl'SI\"{!-J'L~,wnose

OluiLude5. oCOil\f.jjOicled
hiid au
'1J:llbi~'LIltl11

n generanaaucn

th~ V.'cll rmectu. and In partjrular

the Hccr.

'rue fllajOlLt)' of :)(!Li:5:'Oilro officers O!Iil'l!]NCOs i'll.jjY have 3.fJ'PI3.~ld~ uic and knf!~nol;eJ ,,1 the IJ'ltrOO'Uo:;:tion of so much nd technology, 001 t~ distrustoo I·LitlC'n. mottoes. There \\""CIC 100 many new C"OIl("{j14s \0 asstmumc, with .as .t.dKr1_IT.:.rwlr (L.LoJing rooni) and "H.t"mtrl"S{:lrtrjtljrJ;1 t"\'OtW.~e~\1J a nd thej' were concerned lo.11.(!re tt1oe" FUnrer~ 9ImbWQm m Igllt !:wI.':! them. 'rhus, even wtttla rncst wetccmed the drift to war ii.kr the rd.jlth'~ly uuevem ful takeovers at AU.!iI:ria ilild ez.c...c.lto!ilO"\r.;)kia. Liley radi..il1oC'd an .lIur.jJ of WClrl~-"""'{o'U'l q1l id5"n1 lML soon cern i11I.JJ"'I iCLLLOO f to the fieW K'(:ru!lj. .0 thetr mPdst, i~5C1
to'l\-aro!i thC' NLI.li flan:y" gpOl\·th in the! r n\lmOOrs
[1{!o\\'

VoU11g .i!I

soldror"5i(lr ill sensntce natcre were lerl to d!!dd.'(!" who to bcll[!IIi!". li:u11milldy" w~uLiOJt.
J

1J1(!'l{!o 'L'II~ IliS

pmcttcat

IX"CiIII.ISt!

iI

men's

rtgilllC'ru

soon

became

ilot

Oilly

Jus f:::Uiljly but also 10 N.!Illol!l9l1 Soel:)~ majOrity

mliDl'r

(J'tlrre even though nc ,...·M-oolL,gl'dtc

10 the f.t.IhlVl" to I lvo up to. fervent Nilz:i~ m(,FL reilt:ijj'i.~

ecnuree

to

&I~

li'p~OI:

.i!llId I'i.;!ld hts oath $om!!'

throughout

tI}C war,

bu L the

In H\('

1l,J<!giJlg frurn booth dlul~ a nod P"D51.\1",;1T we! tln~ mpl·clly 10:5.~ t~e~r emhuslasm once the euphoria of the carl}' wocrtes ha-d f n ded ~i1.(1 C3mp;)LgJ!l!llg became ,'i simple Mnlg,gl{!o fOT 5LH·1jI~VOI!_ UI1S\lfprl:s..lngL)'. I hts $Ctlmuilloted a reru m to canter Kl(]1~ and Sundill)' ell urch mceunga III I he field. pr{~j(jro ever b~' the rtg.imCfl tal chaplain. ,"'COn:! lWiiy.!i. a wtlL iutCOnd{'d" SimUu!")', mea ICOaL":i'i.L ciucb LO P' on sloop' \\"1 th~f eyes open (lurln~ the tb FilLI;:..chitmtll1G"~n,
~I

ongoing

polLtkiliL
t~.c10IS

tecru res.

Two lust eomradesjup, hom which

-vcre

cructut in the moul(JjJ~,gof n filllSC"h.irn~ j..l:ig.cr. TIl!:!)' were a 80th

C'.(I

;S(!11~

01

and one of chi\l'.alry, stemmed ill VE!I)' srrong

rne from

tile same

SoOlIKe; :) t1rm I;:>I:lld In

oneseu;
on

'do -iI$}'Q1J would thern

he doni!" by' OI...ItlOOk_ Or course,

a
01

baulcofield uus often ~·olvi5 to 'kill er the F.<illsch!nmrupp!:11 goC'l'1;coL,dly iOm1rl

fnilgn.anLmous 8NiUet through 1n ~Jjct(]r>,. 'Iho carne bellcf

be k.ill('r.I'. but net

i'l~i'iiy

so. nnd
.i~III~11

oppcnenu in

grolCi01.!S nLtlloC'l'rhnn parents,

eerem
and

:;!Ijl0

In '~I!I f' {i:md. as allCi!ldy moL'T1 tionoo.

i n 1:iot1(_11l~i.n.g 0 a 1 chumi, partl)' tho!:

·,s..tlfl

p:arlL~' troll] earner ttilc-rlin;t])Y .. procedure n to an ellie_I

sc.nooJ

and

1!!1E:f;lllso:;:J:ihml::il!:e, seteeuo

.'!Ildi T!@.O!"Q\IStT~lnlng

'L'I.'hl,h cuftl ...eted

~1SC Of boclong.ing

Camaradertc, LHI~YS a .!ii~1jfi"-!1In L Icrce in any mililiil ry Uj1Lt and pa r1.Lcti]:;!Irly so a\ the :§;quiHl I(!vcl. I....a~ '1,'1 to each and every Friol~]ll rmj§&er. nrn I U:'i.1 because tal thcy helped each otllcor pa-tk their 'C-rlul~ 001 IXCilUS€ t hey ].:;m::\\1 thaI eftcr men (hUI).!i.U"\(o)' .....Qut{1 W C!ul Oil a iimb, mite5 and hml rs Or days from eener, a 11<1 had !O rely t01.3.II)' Of! each QI her. The sense

.,

Alii liNDrlNjy l~·aflhr-.SS

htff ~ tlh:it
{ilv"mrrljd'ooi1..

{rIl iJrH#

~.rNM:m",[gk3

J:jjrM ~ SliIJ

roo NiH".:' bt.vP1 Jl!,;;ifL"ll jjtm).Njfl !h1:'lWt'"oli"tS

by thor ~~ly
~I'l tNNy .f.IImy

wI~.'it'" I'oIIm rnt."jrliy

Mlotr:rd rurm','.Irl'i'ihip

Jo!tLoIlo1'llillr,o'j-lljl.ii.It'"r-i:'_

5'

of chl~'all)' emos thut

eVQIV(!d rrom

Ihi~,

OC'GLLIM!"

CI)mr.1dc~hill In

was
1....;Ir,

50

lmrtnslc

1.0 the ~h~'

Fa1hchlrml~~r 10 ~1,il rc il. 00'::(.:. them

Lhey e.'qlll"CI,,-'tl c\'1.!"I)"Oi'lc, ,\'itll

uie (L-Otabl{' "-"'_'{'I."'t!f!1 or pantsuns. ton

t'arusms

(ire 100uhol'd by ~II

aner

r~glLI.'r

troops
thclr

:;my

t~rg4:1y

~lIW

l1~ell

tmo
on~

the g~n~r.:J1 PQP\1I:1~

infllctin&

uemugc.

Hitler

hlrusell

h.•d also ~lllgl.oo a

i n h is 'Ten Commururmcuts' on

wnh -c'l1i~'J}It)',bIlL extend C~te- and In R1,.Is:iI:lIn

'A&Li i nrt au 01X'1J Icc.' hI:!'said, no ql,.l~rl·'C'110:;l B:lI~rr1I1:;1,' 1'111j. edmcnluoo was remembered part lcutar. IlYiI I he .§.IghlC$1 '§'L1]~ct~ l)i!olng summaetty ~~1 h i ...
LO11}(' HIIJs.clllI mII.rui)PC'(I,

'lI&h t \I"CU

iXI_

T.raining
·/.j~rt('/~, CCome on, UlJill mbutublc ~!"(H15~~ The wrong cctour (;5..ub-huruansj, A....men noned ca ruer ••

Sk

AlTr'lj,'
quote

£.ilJ

.mp'

_WI Zulu,j; irupl uncred

"',fi1rr/,,,

S/~
you

iPhfrmgfjl ~nd ~I

jrJJ(l

)'till .lJ.1'E!5!A Zulu

C01JM catch ~rrl~~

rot]

S/~
for

I"O~ Fl'fiIsrfj{i: breald.ut!)

('ss~t
This run

wa~ o'Ipi)areiuly

b)' an OlJ.cl!;"rrC'i tcr 1C'.a1:UJ1,g cross-country EiI flllllll:J\ ""'M.~ he ","'C·!€: ju50\;'J~.nglel flghll and n~ d~1111i! their concerned,

if I !];av,uLil.,The \"'li\~ tnsutt skin

fall.$(hlrm\fI.'ppen was {lelibl!"J"aH!", stnce

anu
the

qL1i1I11 L~
<U;

Zlllu~

had

us far as uie Na;hs were

..... ere dilMt.'d 1:1- ound r

U.rltTI1rt'lacJrt'll f1'r~ but

r • he

new 11:''4:11

F,ilIischlrmjag.er

hopcru

1he selecrlon

IOUg_ll, IITl"L.iJ.t rDI.lOm:d 801,il moment Most ~)1ef(is~ light new or

EiI

IIT,il$,.LO qUOLCOa Jl("W recrun

or the 1iIl1C',~ ·ull.bNii.·v.iI.lJ.ly haru,

\1"'('

bMl.Qlly f~L', It piJ,~"S«IqulclP!ly

lolhlnl::.' new rete. 011liUfljng

Ir

on

I)' because

were d I'llled SOhilK! ~"Il.i!L we never

I hu~ ~P"-'":Il in !>1rt.'11 .om t u 10 'he he nrul IJhy~.ki.ll

rccru it·~ (-'igtn \1"CelS al S1CO(Itla.I· were neon Speed ami nnd I nnn n1ght.:;II I.OO&llo1:nln.g:·up essence bad ..... lth there \ ..... of the ,ilS wb;;!ll th~1 In IIlrtually

momtng,

regime

tanored
~~~l)'lhln&

f.all5dlin11j;::jgtt hts comrades I hLs and 'S{]u~tCO

tntamry phose

hEild to endure

but, otucr

Lll'U... W begil1

S('Ic-Jl]t.'d Iitue

dHrC'OCI1C(' between comba and

gQl'le through men

11'1 .ibasL<'. PE. sessions unarmed

boa':;]ll118' occupled I,J.50illg hand carbine. to Jearn manutecture. cncocmer Tlmc

111\1.:;:hof t he day, and the

~Lon.g~~[l'iI!" lJ-a)'(lIlC!1 pracuce. standntd wtth

L Se."SL'OTL5

.a(ld "'·NII}()Il:5.' instrucncn. grenades to U~C' conventtonal how

U po 10 tlhs. p.oil'l t, mosl \lve"rm:;lchl's

\\"upol15

l'tad Oflly rt.'"iIlly rft:~i v ed GC'"W"98- rine m~a;tln~

bott-actton
iI

Mill~5oC'r fh'1:-(olInd be»

hardware. and ~he mctr or save

rumen ill Ka, 93

hed

Ni)1," they

I",hojc

gamut

01 milil:<J.ry

l'i~1DI;!f•. sub-mechtnc-guns, 1'10. jll:s.l IhOM! or German waapcru they 1111ghl forel:s;n

mectuoc-guns,

mo.r1.i!It,5. and on n b<iUldit-kl; s~h

mtnes

weee

:;!II!

Il'IlrOOl!~,

RC!I;:I'1.lU.5 .11$0 Ijr,ilcliSt.'d

u.I;lnjil some could

ramiliLJ.rjt)' lectures

jj ...{':5." C'~p.t..'{:ii1lt~'-vnce drulllJOO " l.x!slnnLn8 were nt t114: more

behInd el'l.~mylines,
\\'as abo taken LIP' Io;ith both cn tacucs ,ilnrll Ileld exerctses, (lgh.iilg Tr:pllC!

luI!: OJ
obstilcie fJ 9

SoL, uad It-T"{'Iilll~ ri:5.illg tnrougn !J.ec,o.IIW, ~5 ill.,']11 armles. rnul"S(!"S to I:M!" oveToollle.
.lNrll'¢!r o!.I!"lIr.o.;1\'~1l ~j)d

SCCljOi'1 alld companr Ihe ooHal!on but Is tl1e baste indLL{lcd nOW thcsl::
TIM!

C\'('UlLLil.lly LDthEilI or the \ ...... hole It!"lU, There fori Itlc.a tlom wH 11 -i-;a1
I98@..

b;;ut:;lll~n

Ml.lrfjrJ~.J,

I"~II:

'~'.liT

I:ti.lIr)' [)I;:i Gcnr'~tl1

IJo.oI.TOIt[oo~r~~JI'(!IIfI'Jr.

Dm"h1S"tijC ,~. ccnJlffllYd /'I'jI')lol"JI"!~ ~~ljrhlS" III~ a~mlj)i'J~ll atolll ~t.cJ tao r(8fIMlrtu. «ii/IriNg u-iIOOr3. HiYI~?i?l". $l"I't!Tt,!V' o(Jf irJ'rchl·/i mrJ filofj nJL'ifll'l U,I(U ~. r,ltt'rJ ilf jlJ~ lTiJIJI.'oI"oJrJTI~~ FjTll.k'hr.. . mj.:lg.v divTl~rJ~ I'"(IUjlllll..my ~rJTf! rmjNil~_ -rJ~ (:0.fJ{ "rl.! F(jI~JTjI"1'JT~tWDi"j~rQJJ, G~Jl'm1rJT{,jjor Hrlm"ich fm.rI~r; .r,J:"mpl~, 'III<oIJ I",r ~jll/~1 1\;1 u""",r rht ~rmilfoIa5! J &~.

r~

"

D.J toc'd \\'dul~ to wonder

WLi."'!:: eno 1hl'1I11~'1hcr

dummy into

111 I'1.coricol(l:s. l'Orlllll!)lol:ly. i wl tlt more illighl-lmiL. cmpnesjs

to most being

fj"1(!fi·'50w')Y Ij""Jf ~Il i nl:.:lng_. I be .1 nrl tee rn SJliri L. men ~11 IJI.!,gan_ Even Int;t~I"(I(!d. ilir over !h(' Lnlnl)'.fn!~ 1><Ir.il.1:llULC' T.lIL'II'JI.lI'olI~JrJ..,r,rJrlIJ, j1~ ro .51".rJt" IJm 111ll/f,tgmxjrnl fjrl'..m.,rtIJmlojjIJ~p<Ir'~lrj~ {'OOi.a{thorfolJolVf1:prrc, fj.llliJr.AiJrtlWrd"tNto'JNflr.:lrV ~~rJ~~~ p.njroU"o".j, ~'oJ orti'o'idNs!:lp('llwhIi't'lr.Jt'aJlld jN..rlrHl'Jrlr.lfroJNljl<'/t.l52":1. doo/, rDrrAdlrrj r'Or
i_Ij

polil i(.;!I1 ~

LIres (1\..'lmJI~, ,,'11(:11 thrr some 1.0 'sky

~1V(!n to bQTHIIng

bUL flc s itJo.l-t. unit. "LOtho!: T~' I til lng, ~nd Md or the the

Dt.~lljh!' nits, many course

l'o'OIJ,I(1 ~L I he grea1

OOwfi

A~ 1.3!i1, however,

rl.1.}' did arrtvc.

I (1-t:1.1}' paeachute

bdolC
'ITmdroot' exurnplc, eouplc lund!

this,

or I he receu i LS· tlilillil1g warner',

<I

teen oC"i'l.gim'~rt'd to ease rll}'5~i:'.al

I rico I ransnton frcrn

because [ump ~ clUl..I('liilig

pnn

eserese

~Iof.is

hed

ext."O::lIt1ng or other

lltgn

011 10.1 of h<ld 'OOnel~' also

trcmpottnc

or :s.omcrs.11Jl1Lng S".R'h exercises

in Ihe "fm an ill

recruit .ti.dH'!}~

F.1.llschl'ml~~~

tho!:
tho cxcrctsc

son
rnen

001'1 tne ground.

wcu 1(1 h(!li)

11e.... •

[.111 tll.ti~ W3S essentlat

rt'("eiT"ttl

n.g_

AtldiII0n;311~',

tntenslvc counmes

tnstrucnon

p.1CliI1:!!" Bercrc

1)"LIISI"ilking 1};J('~ln:s., rhc

uia

L i I} mou

othoct

\\ .as, a.nd

SI i II is, com ruSI.oo

slJ(.'('I.,']II;5.1~,bu. ,,,'hid1

~hoc GCOITi'i:;m paras 'chutes UiCY

h~d to IBo1m tQOO

ror Ih~mwh·e50. the roots ot aiKIilI't wr[11Kles. ThC'l1 they were IClkP whlch had. quite Hterally, rlis liiOSI
\\'Orl::.

l'tangLirs
'I...... -oIvt.'d

10

ensure

Wi2IC 5USIJl.!'rLdi..'t1 trmll were tJry and free of toNIS f l.abl~ error, ~no:J catetutty rus lifco depended fold~llo.il

0,

mtls bcncuth pattern

It!i1:gth''''~r.; tru:S-LNJ

0011t-ong tresrte trjal and W liell)

til rough

I t tool-; two 1II('1l 10 00 ~ i.!.,. and each IT

I),POQ

receu i Lcnose

l:iut!od}'

~I,.ISoC'

the <tl';:ility

or hi'50 oColtiNIg\l'!t;5.

D38

AIRRORNE

Wh:;lll rQIIOI,'"td was equally Z\ .... ang-iius..ll..\mng il~til.ted SJ/3m) door nangar
OJ,

trupcrtant packed both rece use then

became

the ill!Sigll or the lU. l (Ruckelll)LKku[\.1!: ;md H;5- successors, the Ii:Z 16 rmd FtZ, lO,
iI

or ·rLtd.~,ck speetar tcchntque

to open'), neeessa

tor jUl'I'qjoil\g from

the ~ircr.iJr! (usuilily tlH:lr h.3m~ despite

JUllk-l!"r:; Ju
[I

and ror l.;m-d ins,

To ~'1

ry

level of :5okLlL ine tra i nees rrom

~I

u.s.t"d
a ,viII:

meek-up horn Lh~

to IJr.LIc'i~ the first end roof rail LO perfect

'L'I.'~r(!

suspended

the second. and ~'I:ral

It stlOuleJ IX" Ilo\i!'d uurt. 'chute

these

prccaunons,

thl::re "".-I!"1"e T1L1m'C1(l1~ISInlurles. I. wh if Ii is Jncxpucabte ncr OJlty had lifL II"'Cbs All the paracbutcs not npcoeds. the 2Ilr when once 8rouIJi.n~ Th~ because to

f;UOl!!lIe:i.~lISC'{l !llrough dcscem, but <11$0featured

odesit:;:.1r!)uh:5. in lhe.lll n more ~eIHibl1.:" harness

the H.a(lwrd .iJnd mllahk

1~'I,lll!lI to LLI ft\'l,'illffe .,1 n::n.:w

heJP· 'l"'0111wl

i~:m{'t.1 10 the Pausclurmuuppcn fl~e.hoo permus eJwps from I~ j):iJllculilirly

wen! 0IHm~1 b)' m!!.iJ.1l5or ~1.LI1klines, in. t~ .... ·{!S time In 10 grolJol'"ld flrl:, a nod in tigTutr
W1!H!'

to\\·~r Il-eigtn!p, rC'.!o:uJtiilg both 'V\Ilner:tlJle !mr.LIdm!-I!"-[".LIlWpkS thcrruc!

iIIny paratrooper

biK"X on 1C'rIiI firma. Hie Gtrm<lll :;!IJl{l.5eWi'1 rWJi1 auachC'l'Ji

(8- • .5-1'11) In dll)meter 111dol it begs. J\ thin alii! 'chute the b~

\\'2I~

z..s gores
by
the

2Sn
bag,

(I,o-edge-·snapxl ~9111l smuc had ]20r.

j)i.oOCC'S) silk. They were l)tit·kl!od of

cord an . iJ.Ch.ooIl1e 10 HI'"'

2I1E.X

or tho fol(led c-.;mQPY •. the moo. h of Q line. Thls lell;!!,th b21gsw meant ca Jn

the

....'.[I.~ flrml)' illr(!3dy rully

'2.9'J,tt

til". Ihol: wi. h Us

~rloyed
from

lime a mae Co.nlrOI

fLiHoC'fL 1,.~rll·~JJy

rome- 8S-12:Oft

(.2.s.-.ID11~), ptrmiltill&

drops Sbt(md.s

II!SS than

(1 OOm)_ The

n.om'
<I

earerouy

eoned-down

(JjJ~~ thm

the C-ii(IOoPY) \\i"<lS stowed

stOu. canvas

FrP1IMhirurtmpptrJ mpjrH.r .~'~hiwJl (.In /l.WJ41(1m1ll

Jurj!,llgjrll'.r~,I~~ lj~if '(i\lI(lf'j' !;;illil':1~·jNs iN lll~ jJ~

wTlld,{!'I·jr w"",rJ~
m.lt.5tl.lt!li'5.rlp~rro..lttI'INtI

{$III w1"r.it.l·r rMy PMn't'" .mrito"!

jjl~i'rII("L"'tIf"l~' QJr.II'I'n-,r'Jf ( Cllff3tarJl't'J" ,U~ Hkrork"tll ,1I<1"j·rj~

...... t

so

M['I.SCfIIRMJ,\GER

~"

II, hlch c! ippc'd under IJUI ,"il1:nl)'~~

on

to the harness

webbt

rLg

worn b~' the Falls.chi be

mlji!lis"Cr_ Till!' !>Li1ljc IIn(!

.... coll1..~ '.j)~

moe

nap

On tht bacb: of thE' pack. '10 ~i

n wil n thi~, 11I'a5on thc (l:ghl~hi1l1d

.s.idc,

of

training

-msbnps

oC'.;!IUSOO 1,0 i~
before

1't100'oo

to

thl:

rop.
to I~"J[!'<!IJhe t ~nd covered

Rc.'troU:s; had alre.'ldr

iI~ lI'1~

to Will [)I(!I{!' sh d mps

! h~

tbcy

\\''C'H' cnt itled to the recru.its,· InluC)'

f~ll(hinrHdrid'_.a'r~tbzrl~'rI donned ,U~L"'U'r' has bull.;y hils Met h ls p.il rachure 1h(!ir ~ltlCO,

(Pi1r'u::ll'LIh.~t'S. lSi1d,goC'). Prim knee ~ds~lgnoo and pack c;Jmfl1ll)1 checked

n~l i u mp, I h.ey have

1:01(;.1man
~QI'\IE.S

to jJ"JI:\.'~n.

on ~:tndEng.

tmmess

b)' hts instructor.

whOo now

tdespa Lchl.:'r), Once i11Xtar<1., HlC')' C[("I'L..::-1\tht- end or utc! r sa LiC' Ii ncs between l-C;;:l~ 10 leave their hands ,~ I... cese • he .,'I i rcr.;!lH ru IlS InlO 11,1eu 1'CTl« (or 1.31C!r, i 11 r
LD take evasive reac:hE'<l act Ion LOO avoid hE'~tn, i il,g (!iI1(!i111Y ant l-a i rcraft H'IE' eesparchcr stands tll~ hel;.ll fi re or f~.ltc"~), t ,nlong the I~nsl Once the t"IOOX Qr I he br,aciXl!

:)1.rCl'aflll:!S

us

de~i,glliJl,oo

OOOCts tOE' l11oC-J11Ostand and

~11'I!ir ~103Hc lines as lr.Jillro 'Gr.'IJ'~jl fJ.LI('~kJnillly Iilliowillg Uten

to the

cable

rum"

ItI:s1 (lOO'I.'e shocrdee

in uic prescnbed men

"I retLLf! 's fuselage. TIlt- (i r:o;l 111<111n tho 'stid;' I

10,

.ilI}jlmll!:mivdy

in the dOOrwilY, In10

launch

hinll:tU

dCi1!'Uy out SJ111mlflg

jM

G~'! G~,t'

rorw;u(l,

spread·e~lE'd posture. !ii1um:h themsetves

sl i pstecem

space,
jE'rK

LLlY3rC'or other ~I.iltic uncs

tral!l njil in the brll'\gS

<lj rrrart's

und oIIH,·T canopfus mllcl,

into shape below thc ..... nit" I E'<I;:hman's own 'chute d~ploys 5.'!fC!l)'
.1.

auoljibtco ·cr,'lCk'

and sud..;l,{!fl ;guL·w~nd1.ing fmmedlnte. ntmost l.m~II'l:v~ng.

ill

as ,"if\c!:

huge

sUfll,C' or C'~hil;u.1 non TI10SCO sutt suW-tic.1t1r

5(10

to the par.!ltrooptT j}III,:!JC' LO remember

he nOLlI~ tIi.'CtIJtiT"t-ly Lbcit Lt<iirling Ihe mnv rushi <in.tI IhCO~

~oll;ly

tcwams ~Ltdde('lly them. W I h{"111 to Cu~ bl'\l~h

IhE ;!!,fou.nd,

Iry ~"""~""·.:!rdly to IwiSI ~aLLW IryLn~

uemseices
l]leI!lKMmd. Tht'ir

Ih!lll

.h~,"ire
moments thc'il

f:)cln,_g
<lgo

irUo the- 1'o1ln(l, .0

seemed so Iar JtiL the

which

iI,.... ts ,jJy.
ground

I~

tmpacr,

n.g

UI) IC!waru.!i

oo.ot('ljj

f~ then

padded ences

roll,

a I ready

gr.Jo the ~tlrood fines .iI n.d tk-flLLtc the 'chute whjch. in n lllOOCOr.1lK" IITirla., could dr,'lg across roejs or rnro w".:cr. J~ottUl1ncoly, eiK"h mnn 11..'1.5,3. .spC"CI.. 1 knlf~ 1'o11th 1,'hlC'h ttl m~etf tree Ir n~~I)'_ All or ,a sudden, II I~ over, <lind wh lie some men sfrn p'lr
thl:m~IVd FL""e' IndLocilng night dOWll mhE'd celebrate more en thmiiJ~ljO::illl)', (I if'erem stranS,el), roOf !lCOlghl5

more

d lOps \1'111 'OL~, I\WILth

from
attheugh

\.,rnh vuylng
never or Optr.;].tiOl~ I htocgh

1'oi'11l(8 speeds aerfousty

arid
tile the

one 111 poor \lis~blilty,

the Carmans railur{' parade

pmcnsed during badge,

drops,

was

OHC' of the comes

,il

reasons the award

uic
Q1Jt

SJii~fr

fI..ln te oJ thll: h..amhh<!l~ !hco rl('wly

fill! I~.

Then

of the sr tvee nnd gH~ qua! i fytng Stendal DiVi,S.loll.

from the mstruetors qUil!iil('()

nd I he passlns,

bcrcre eil.-t'h 'Or

f.;].L[SIl:'llimlji!gtr

jOin.s ni~ I:)atl.Ll.ljO"l in 7Ut me!;cor

Appearance and equipment

FaIOCh Irmj;!igu clothing end equl pom{!,TIt WoI2H!'d~ls.nil!"d o( the 19<10s. UltrC.rtUllillely, gol(lC!n·~Uo\I' to ee PI'<!ICllcill, 00111 Forl.jlhl~ and liI.'ell suited W tile OOltldidti l,rlCOmail1 C1i.StiI1guj_~.hi~ (;"I rrn of [CO.ilLure GGrlng' nnd we're lAlitw.il ffe

(It ,a G~ii1!"1 pe r_;i's, apparel was ius btlghl .ap~l.icd prfncfpul! y to couar patc-h(!"$ and
DI"I ~illfl{S) rll'qu~nll}' 1\'Ore «hue, II01.h cotcurs C:i}I'~hd!y

I,Vaffe'l'fi1,he

sevrce <:01:00')

shoulder boards, M('n of the 'Hermann im PILiC'tiCLI.l 011 a bm Llcogroul1,d

removed
end imignij}

or I\'itll

1,1'(!rCO witdl y 1't\1..1lC!,d!ed other apan,

than
impoItlLi'U

\1'h'l:ll nems.

an oomdlll!

p'iloto_gr,aj)Jl4:r

(J(.JitJS~rh!L"r)

WLl~ around.

W;Jrt-l!'nfilirbe tile excepncn

the Fallsch i rmj~ger

wore :s.tLlndilrd

untroem

or

a tew

"

A~JU~Ol~N[

Startmg at the top, the 111en S t~,Ul1P helmets (fall);, hirndlebnc) were origmally cut-down Wehnnadrt St{1l'11e/'~,'e (steel helmets) with the' brims removed, This was done partly to ~:uev'e:n,t' theairflow of the Initlal descent from an: atrcraftllftlngthe helmet and half stranghng the men" and partly to elimlnate the risk 'Of the reJ,(1'D'veiy sharp edges from possibly sevex:ing a shroud line. The helmet were mnili,allyp,ajrrted Luftwaffe b~ue-Igreyand featured the 11,ationaID tlfucolour andatrforce eagleon either side. 'BatU,E' experience soon caused them 'to b~n~'Parnn'bed green CUj in North ,l\fdGll and It;aly~ dull Y'eUow and 'the ~nsignja disappeared, ln ""mnter, they were sm:[]1ply whttewashed, slnce thi would scrub off easlly in the sprmg, A vadetl' of.
f
e=
j

TIli.s Jtigie.r wears parade dress

wirth shirt and tie and the

b lancoed can'rims,paracctm.te harness fastened 'OV'e!J' bls [ump smock. On b.i' head ts
the Fallschn.rm~ager helmet, (1) shows the unique Win!f.iC

and straps, He wears ,(I flrst pattern jump smock and S,I andard 00 m bat trousers, 'but be has not don ned tb.e protective externalknee pads (2:)1. 0]] his hands and feet he we'arsbla,c:k leather

gauntlets and first pattern

side ..lacing jump boots (3)" He carrlesan Erma 9mm MP40 :snlb..m3Jdlmne",gun .(4}. Spare ~ut~mtul.i.Uonboxes were carried ill threes illJ

pouches

on the wa~st ben. (6) is, a teather map

(,5,)

casaand the Ughtweigl1t z.eiss 1(jK30 binoculars 1('') further .sbow that lwe hi, a

squad (Zu,g) leader .. (8,) is, a

Luger holster; The water
bottlepl
US

€ltr nk[tl,g eup (91 j

illscarried behind the

nght

llipl. Worl1 ,on, the left chest of the Pllegerbluse would be the Luftwaffe J?a:rat:hlDltm.s~S Badge (IU). (Velbnir Vukslc

e Osprey

Pubhshmg Ltd)

62

-F;\LLSCHIRM]AG ER

Call1nuA~lge c~oth helmet covers were iS5LM.~i(:] the war progressed.Men as

also madethesr own

disnJillhve patterns ush'lg cut-down string vests or chicken wire, inro whlcb they Inserted sei1tSt1ni-11 g'f'. Mer 1941, wH:l1the virtual abolltlon of the Fallschlrrntruppen asgenuine folia ~jIbornf 50kUe:r5, an tncreastng number of men ~n the later-numbered divisions s.mmpIy wore
1

ordinary army helmets.

Other F~~Hsd1irmia,gerheadgear was standard .luftwaUe Issue ~. sld~cap (Flie~ru#itze)~ reld cap with brim (Einh'eJtsnUit:un and both style, of officeTs~peaked cap (Schirtl1:flJtl.t!), in ei ther blue-grey OJ[ tropical tan, For 'winter, especially ln 'Russia, 1I:h~men were issued 'wtth long vlJooll,en toques, tubular garments whlch fitted over their beads and necks rather Uke .Balachwa helmets .. A stylish peaked fur cap with eat Haps modelled on those issued to
rnountallt'l

ttoops

alsu tnade an trupp'earane,~,.but It does not seem, from photographtc

One hat which did single aut a . ,a~bld]jrn]~a.gel' officer tn ·the Afro-Medtterranean theatres was the so-called Meyl~r ,eap, a comfortable ~ightweri,gJlt, loose, air-vented deslgn with a detachable neck. flap to
fvidcn.cc~ to have been widely issued to the Fallschlrmtruppen.

proh~ct against sunstroke. Linen underwear, woollen socks" PE kit, fatigue overalls and whUe (parade), blue-grey lor tropical tan shirts were standard for all ranks and no d.U'f,elien't Irom those issued to other Luflwaff:e· personnel. However, one tndivtdual Item that became something of a Fillschifllljagert.ra.d.emark in lorth Afri,caand later, was at brightly coloured neckerchiefor sllk scarf. Some regiments even adopted uniform colours: Stl:l! Ea!U_s:dllnnjigl~r Regiment's, for example, were dark blue w~th white polka dots. jackets and. tunics were, agai[Jl..standard Luftwaffe, either the styUsl1 tapered-waist flying Service Blouse (Fl.l~ge~·/:JI/,r~'st), r the. four ..pocket Service Tunlc (Tuc.i:rra.c.k);: only the latter o appears from photographs to have been issued ln tropical tan material.

!G.l~e'I':S

,i~~l'nlf1,ula,ttlyktltf~tI(JUt
S~110t-ks

.in ftr-st:IJ"~'tt.(;!rnmnp j

and boof2;,head t:oWQfn:~' ,Iii'

J I' .5.2 (rjif II'J'pn:'l{:,ti,ce j,~t'np {rtJ'ffl' fI s~mmf=col,',~red air{i:·eid. This is

c,'earfr
til,,\,:

an ffir'J' pl~'{JtQgf:rlp.1ll
Ulf~';~ do W'Jii: tl\lfir,w UF,f

l/,re

px.fel'Fl'l1/ knee'

P{Jt_i~i .rJurl' were

iut1'OrJUCl!ti In he.lp p'ff'llenf' :fll.juri.(!£ sm(),'b

em

!cmdll1g. _Bv'~~ r/lt!

;(JI'!d

boot-S

~;I£;'".fl1JSO'

r:1.~grtgedmd./caU,.. nfl:er eat.f)'

O,{1t!le ,f!xp'erience hJ 1941[]', rCC}l,lrte.w of Chri s.t(Jp/~\t" JlUsbr HlstlJ'l.i'ca·( A fd~ ille's)

63

Al~80'NE J.jjck'fl.s \\~'C' CoI:l1~ m !he ~Is.

the [arket. the Fallsch Irrruru ppcn

nnd

en

rJin'k;5.noemeuy
jump

,","OTI!:3I

IlOh1-eretli ~U~iiTm_ Over

n pracrfce I \\'hidl
I\'(ij

\~-mC' the

~1ll0<:1.;

{.riPrl~("imjk;.nrll.
\\'N!VI:,

ganllCm made- of hN!"'r duck couon

0'. later, nemngjcne

ooJ&niCd to Ni:SYto
up toe:
ll,,'1Q

prevent elm hlns QTeqllipm~n t gl!"UInJ:;ma:sgt.'d in I ho aMcr.jj_ftor en t,m&led In the pamch Lite:

shrcuu Itries at uic mmntnl 01 opec.ing.. The firSt pill tern smock p:tJt Oil ot ~ Io!.e o(f. because It n:)(t 5hQrL Inlil)&T<II~ n le,!!:,s_TheJ~e:r had
the 8i31rm(!1l t 1.1P' to his sheutdcrs and th~n ~tm.ggll= into

'LI,'.LIj.

1101, tIO .... 'ever,

to step

Into the legs. POll

the ~!C"t.""'ft.I::J.f1OJ!! Imltlln.inl!i

pun 1he ~mock

Oil DU utdc pull it down

front. Or'L

I~nd~ng.

"rt("r

frtein~

hii"il:sf.:U rrom me peracmne

11;3m~. Ih~ ]tL_gC!r then

smock

to

rf:.I;w..'n hfs watst In ceder 10 undo rc I", order

hls -I!'qui!Jml!'nl bocUand buckle

it hiLd:,

the- S[[1O(Io:. To add iflSllLt to illj U i'/, he t"liJti: to to h 1:50 knees, 10 1"(!1I1!'oo'1: himseLf. in the number

~"k-t!l\("
The

oJr Olga i n, or iJ.L l~~1 ,5:mQCl;!'i (lUfi!'re<I

n r}1 l)LJ.t~ em

~llshtJy from one another

0.1 ]X>ch.X'1S tht}' J'I..LLd, j),(ld were prOi;hR't'd in {'ith!![ the fll~t pat tern -vas or 03 mere buttoned smock. even thou.gh (.Ie.si_gO

pale gr{'(!il or gn;:y, 1~Q:;1 men i mrol~'crI:

thi~ rtmc th~ s~~11;;l ommed tho!:I~

In I hi!" 19-10 cempulgns jiM ~lIIergtd, The-

'L'I.'Qf"<:

boy
thLi!

ta te

moo",!

rUilC!iC'oill'

of the Prst pertem smock. <L1lij:I.,.hti;h

<!IIIdown tho Itont.

On ol

lump. the lowtr Jta.1 r btlltonlZtli round: till! upper ICg$100 recreate tile IN) rftcr ll!I!iS und prevent me smock bilkM!f!g 1.1]13S rhe Jager roell_ 'rhe ;snlOC~ also h.1-d tl'f(l l<IIf~ (hoesl and L~!&h pockets and 1\1.ilSmemnactured in <L&JC't11 or tunrbrown spttntcr eamou fla,ge puncm. J\ later "aDam or uus g,.atffiC!r'u,altt"IGugh no. <!.edi:!:flat~ ·lhiro pauem', was prodeced if! 11101'(" sobne IJ.T()1."frII:'i.ll water camcu t1~ alter I he Crete Q[J'I!r.l non • and combat ~musera II"Cfe :Ji::Q
i nnodcccc fin3l!)', the same
jl~

this mill('1iill,

:;!Irter

!if42,

J11.1l1l~f .or ~ Il.scl"llrm O::ilm.OO(jti~e-,

wit]l Ihe- Vlnl!.'ll nbotttton of ~be pcratrcop rnfsslon, an Incri!'.a!jIQI!; truppcn (espcck31lr !I'I the lughcr I"H.LI1l00red dM5~-''50) ....ere tssued wlttl ' combat [arket (Krmrf'fjfiru). made of a rilym~/ool R.epo:rlj :5oOm!!'omccrs ton mix In ~pl inter SlllOC'J.:; tem had thew mil}" havo {ieW di .... lcus, u • .fIl1ool,lgh. of a jump

~lng.ll!-IJI'C".ilst~
LUi

UWL lssuco to Hie LuJl""'\'jJfet~1'I 31!"eunsubstemtated

ptOO~

'In trcplcal

A NtJtK-Ilif~

tU pt.pJro,j

IN

RII~rl'lW'rruWi'lmj.ru.u.1!'r4

Il!rad G~lW"sPJiW' OiJrJrfNg., fllt'lt.Hl.lrlj'WhJi\rJJd

~!oIijJ..n.k'h'I"QW'mu..r~ r~jtlJin.yorJrr'W'}'~r 1M{!~,~

~m

~'ffl.IorJ .(JfjlJc

.r?JO!.IIIIMNrr~'fl("ljrmJ

~·jifl'¥"J~njNtr). rc(iI(Ilt~a(CIrr~ "'jI'#;vHif~rAJtjlJn.~,

r~\ w.sCIII

R)"1JAG ER

!ililono-d p.ri'L"':!lely. OI.i1{"r smocks were, however, tl\C" .)rmlslice in J 943, 111.<." illy O
"'1;!~ i I'jj.igni;;]

sewn from 1talla n cemourlage L~lrt'L'l.'.'Iffe

metertal

afl(!f .... fo1N'~Jw.F.rJtI;(Jrir.mr:'iLWI~' rpt"U,;lclW1rmgJ'IJt'l"n:11M1Nj -r,.-,lr<'l"mirJL'~ Itp4'IIJ",r:lJI'Jr. TII(' .'L~J~: fjl'Jd ojI} both .ro,IrtirtJt'~1
C.yfilJl'Jil~fH""T j 1'/lJb

1''"0''11; 0.11.li.ny SIllOC~ 01 eomnar jLiC'i«'1.S tcxcept on

~e,
~td'c~

when decemttons
on the stecvcs. ~t The'ie

permntedr

were Ill~

bJ~s.~ eagle and ckt-th

t;;ij'~

OU11.!"I~JI:.t.'iill clothill:!:lo i~ut'tl

altt-r the fi.~1 d~slrOl.[!"

vvl nter In Russta

i,,('luded
C!)IoU~
,in~fIWTI

Je~S"L pauerrc or quuted ';)cke"Lnnd troosers in te .... t'I'"O NSib.I.(!- hil<."/mous.e-&re1· w gilrmenu were dl!:S.ls,nt!d to give the rallSC'lllrml'rup~ mQ~ treedom of
ii'I extreme w(".;].tlltr00l1ml lens HILiIl the standard In doable-breasted

t aud aencn (M~rJll"rl),

r s.2JSJ 1)( wTlII rII'(' ,'NJi~'

~J.t('O~t 1h.:il the (larb!i!r rom fml

but t111l:Y """'C1~never avauable

Fa.II:;.chjlllltrui)pen than 1helr smocks. • and ril~lcllcd

5l1ffici-Cflt (ly.ai'Li~y. JLshould be- noted

cumboat ankles trousers wil.h (11uJ.t.'rr) in a !J is-i1t])' reese They had ntli.n.~ ror 1"'0 ~ldC' Oil rho be J\dd LiP

.ftJ~rrrR.ltcJmrWollIL'T,;lNlrKh
l.:lrllol,l1Iy Z~rm.Jl'~ lr4i1ll'(I{[.rnM;~~m~

For most

grEil tooat was never -oJ thC' .... me rur

mal'C'l'lal ami case 01 movement braces

WOIn over the [urn 11smock. wore HOOIeIl "'C'~

<!It 1t!;1!'

r4 il"fmt.u",

gl'ty-g~n

~]:;ulv~I')'

tapes.

and

~'L'I.'O hip

pcckess. ptos a smnl! feb poci::N IIndC'r U\('

"".a.jjtba.rHl.

Lil1d

could

,If'jlh cnner the ool ..lde rtc'I.~ ~Li1..31 rJ(lnlal dl;5r.!rtl«i lne1fecll,,"C.

Dr eactt

(~n~P'!"ncl(!f5) OJ a l.x!II, clqJGrlcnrlS knee there t;;mV,U milS a .... "t-nt thruus.h

upon

P'C1'SOll.rIot rererencc. p the knees

tllliquely, wntutraw
jJ"1

I~;ll:i-["hthe J~l!"r could

'~n dict<!lh!tl
so

l.:;)po].::·.lIledi

p..ds
.ilh~urd

wh iell ...rcre "WOrn to prcreo

uic

h('~""'r
)J"fO'IOO quk~ly

' .. P.!l"'l:+.;,;lNlINp{jkr~ irJjt.lrid til .rllJ' .~l'Ilp ..IrJTTlcr jrJj4mtl)'.ll.ltl,ll'il!l\I/rllllC ~N!~IJiJ_llNi t'rJrloi'"i1lrJrirJXwrjJ~Jrlmjlil')' lJJcWlNlrlstNI.f., ..1IJktlAf i:IoIi't'" itl rJrto-{lrrrgr_Not Non ~r1.:'J:
t'\"'J'kr.in;,fr.I(.Io;.rr/irJlJrL""IrJp

by the

par<!lchul(!" d~sn.
strapped on. oJ movement.

CO.xl("n'l(l] pads

-vcre
more

u 1:500tater freedom

The system, however, Both st.'ts of Imm. w"Cre

pockru
{COOrt,~.r

of

Nlllll1.tJ/I' SrJf64"t_ ~Cjlrilt ..urIr('T Ilj~Wr

CLfle'l' Slo(llng to give !

WJrwi'roil"j.'lPLlrll'L"'5J

AlRBORNI

A flnal dtstlnctlon an ordlnary

or the

FaUs(~lurnlja.g'e'r's trouserswas the small pocket fasterred wlth carried the so-called ',gravIty knife', Unlik.e

plastic press studs on the right thigh,which

clasp knlfe, which requires two hands to open, the F21nsch~I'rnflger knife haJd, a weighted blade that slid free automatically as it 'was taken out of thee pocket,.andi 'was loc.ked in place by a imple thumb catch. It 'was specially designed to allow a paratrooper, who already bad onehand fully occupied trying to gather in htsblllowtng 'chute, to ,cut the' shroud ~ nesand quickly free hhnsel f.. The kruJ~could, of COU[$'e, also be used m con] bat i orIor eating.

'L-E---UTN'A- -,·y' An'D,~'P!.JN'" R '.L.J.;~·

,1 . .',

-.1

--

'~'

"_JICnJ!IJI

:IIL:'('

n "ClEMB'·R.

194,4

The flgurewears the eombat ~m,ckiet:t spllnter' camouflage m

meterlal and trousers .1 n brownlsh water pattem

camouflage. He wears the full Infan try ,aS521 l t pack 2) u
which camedthe

mess tln,

rolled ,Zeltbahn, bread bag, entrenchlng spade '1Nilhcover, t'IIf(JIber bottle and gas :n!sphl'atnr contal ner, probably conta1il'llnga washJng and sha.vlng kit or other personal
Items, He is carrytng an FG

42 a ss ault ri'fJte "I} with, a stde-mounted 2O-round box magazine IlIa) and spike bayonet ,~·lb).(3) is tile ]Scm Panzerfaust 60. Into the front end slotted iEJ! 61'n {l ScmJdiameter bomb whose stern was fitted witbl1eXiJb~e ['.[n.5, wbidlunfo~ded in flIght. (4) is an S,..8,cm R.PzH :5~t 'the

mOrS'~ffective in.f;ntry antie

tank 'We,lIpon ofthe whole

war. Un1il.e the P,anzedalust~

the BP,zB,54 was not reloadedwltb
,i 'throw

a.waJyjw~ilIpon, but oou ~dhe:

one' of the roc~et p!(,o~ectUes shor~m (4,a1. ,VeUrnlr Vultdc © OSPll'ifY fl,lbHs,Il1ng Ltd)

66

FALlSCHIRIvljAGER

111 North Africa and elsewhere

or ~Ilorts tn ,a comfortable

the .'·aUsch~nntruppen.

W{ll'e

issued wlth tropical trousers

Hght'\l-veight but hard-wearing cotton. The trousers were parl1CU~aI~Y~ggy to Increase air flow and prevent chafing. and had both twogenerous hip b plJLkcts and a. .lnap pocket on the left thigh, }\ FallschLir:mjii.g,er's. uniform was also distinguished by the gauntlets (ff~lJhlsdmhe)i and [ump boot's (FoJl.~cllinnsdlnOI'5dn~heJ. The softblack leathergloveaelasttcated at wrist ulna [ufF, were des~gned to keepthe J ager"~ hands warm both inside the un hea ted cabtn of· the JU SZ/3m transport aircraft and during the drop itself. They werealso sufficiently supple to be worn In combat. The boots, made o~black leatherwith cleated rubber soles ~urbrrip,,,,,,fere origln~]Uy laced at the slde under the mistaken belief that thls would. offer extra ankle suppurt. The second pattern had standard frontal lacing, Canvas ankle galters could be worn with either. However, on parade and as thewar dragged on, in the field too, the fa]f"ichirrntruppEH 'wore the standard calf-length ·We~lI·rnachlt [ackhoots (l!laft:;K~'stiefel'll),. r]C'ldi equipment for theindrvtdual Fansch~rnllj',age-rw,~s.moreor less. the same as that issued to army and LU·~tW3ff~· fiie.ld diVlsions w.tllough :tn ,the leady days thep:~ra:t:rOtrpleI 'Was 'is'S\~.ed ~1Lil a so t canvas carry~ng bag for his gas mask instead of the rigid cyllndrical rnetal one, which could have caused injury during a drop. A specia] ammunition bandelier was, also developed for he Pallschirmtruppen ... ersonal weaponswere 'id.ent~,caJ. 0' everyone else's, w~th P the exception of the specially d~es~g·ned FaUschinl]gewehl' 42 assault rifle (FG42l ..There was also a higher allocation of other autcmatic weapons, including the l'vUJ40 and I\ING34141.2~ and pockets or waistbelts bulged wHl1. grenades, TIle faUschiJlTn:tluppen also had a C1..J:t~d.OWll ligl1l""re:ight version of the a:ru1yfs standard 8.8c~n mortar, the kurzer (short) Granatwer~er4.2, Because of the .bmita~~on:son what a Jagler could carry OIn his person during a drop, the Germ,ans.developed a ['lgld llghtweight contatnerto protect weapons and ammutntton on their descent Rifles and bandoliers, sub ..machine-guns and ammunition pouches, machine-guns, mortars and ammun . ru.Uonboxes were all stowed away in these devices . Other contamers, clearly marked with red crosses, 'carried medical and surgical equtpmerat. Because the Pallschlrmtruppen needed "t1O get .a~ thetr wea.pon:s very quickly once on. the grou nd, the supplycontainerswere normally thrown out of the aircraft before the fi~rstUlan iurnped.giving 1:~dm ,aimjng PO:Ult. However, not allweapons went In the contaaners and, an despite the rtsks, about one man in fotu dropped . on Crete ca.rrt ed. an MP'40 tucked under his parachute harness or strapped to' his; outer thigh ..Slmilasly, during demonstration [umps for the 'brass' at Stendal, carbtneswerecarrieo very unsafely In the hands ..Nevertheless, de!SpHIE'the' clumsiness of the German contamer system, the Pallschlrmtruppen nevea bnjtated the British practice' of stowing weapons and 'Other equipment in a kltbag which COli ld be d,i)ngJed on ,3 rope below each 1113111 but given the impractlcalfty of the RZ parachutes, this might have posed an unacceptable hazard. At a higher level, anti.-tank weaponry was important, and here magnetic mines, and the Panler{auS.t ea'rmouxed :n~f; a hand-held antt-tankweapen) and RPzB5" came infothelr own, replacing the UttIDesPz.B4l. RecoillUess guns, such as the' '7.Scma.nd lO.Scm MG405 and42s (lnf(mter:irge:sclllitz.-e or infantry guns), were also used because they were light inweight and could be dropped by parachute clusters ,or landed in gliders ..Their big drawback in combat was that the backblast 'from the counter-propellant, which prevented recoil, was, both a hazard 'to friendly troops, and a give-away to the' enemy, and from pbotographkevtdence most seem to have been used j ust in tralning exercises or fur the benefit of th e Kl'i,egsbermcht'e·r.
J, 1

Everyday life
OIlD.! recruits slacken. barracks prcpanng m~nt<!illy, practtcul """ere
o1~gllt.'d

10 n buuaftcn. been CiJ.l.lhHL-I!1lIc; and

1he hccttc 1J.il.1..'(' utc p.i:I~1 or tcw '\'I.~'l!ibegan to of 1he nme, lire lfl WiI.$ and drill ccnunucd,
i'lll£.:f.i

Tll(,y rnay even hjj'~

s,I'lfE:i'l.,"l reI ... {103~' lea ...e. Fro tee rcu

ra~'iiI!d
rur
Win,

Lln{!'l.'(!1ltrully.

or

C01JJS'I!". Germany

.LiI'L'llit was ~mji)1 in rir!il EIIid EIIild II'1!re further

th:it tile ('(iumry'j. ccncenrratcd

be ~p~

hom'!;]: iJ'lWSi.C3IIIY.;:lM LInl t t<!lctll3,. "1.1(]Il~dc men

fl;o'! h tl"C'ld exerclses excrcucs

1«1'lUe50 nm,'

on small
;SO

ccnssam

W!!'.apCIIiS

prucuce thetr

th~t.. in tilt end, the

could
glidCt.

CINt

btocb!i!g~ or ~

~tJ~p' :)n(l pracnce

re-assemble

rl Fles .111{1 .iub-mac'lll ,~I'Cfts. ln

n~gl.l ns
of th-ctum

1111ndfCJIrli!-(l_ There

enrach LIte jumplchorea

~fldtrtlilljl'l&

Oi.F;:h1:' ill the DFS 2:30

Prcparattcns

n,!;b •. TIII£:N' were

erso.

even e)l:t(,"l1.ded.0ili'C~ldLlrJys~cW surprise 1

In~.t"ably. housenctd to be done

~h~ mlddte

- kit and "'B.1.lJOm cleaned,

ror C1!;ElllUljk. on the scrury

Them

iIInd barracks ~""'('pt, duty

'lll..lsllCd arid pol ..sneo. \·II'Jtil,-c-eLLdl for uncn il~

·CO\I(-'~.'

roster
Oi'

:;110(.1~Inf(lll'tLlIl..'! time: (or lctsurc,

rnan hM 10 l;a}.':(" his. te tri! ll58re;;sor.s; oI:Il.dUred P'! ntshmen l rangues.

i Ilg 10. HiC' r.adkl, play! ~ soldlol:r'5 summer fi)VO~1 r11 CO of warm rcccros,

1\I'.a~ however; wri Lil~g Icncrs

l'I.~dill& Col! ehlng t or

books,
LL[I' on

~i f'il p,ly Irl';:,. .. IRjilg

i) a snme
tile men .rlp [5w isJl

'Of

~t~_

Sport

II'a~ populillr

100 •• 1 nrt the

.9_lSI ouered
i I1g~

ptenry

oppcnunnlcs ehe ramp itself 10. have of war iJlIlI:I~

tor _gOi.rt.g s...nfllmil'lg

01 ~L.ayinlS reeuau. nr, on ~"'lle8.et:.

In uic even occasjons,

c.ould ...iSil
Into ~Mnrl:.iil

6i1~m~, a drink

r1:;!1y

r;-.m!!;; Qr chess Oil 1 war

lab:.1 .and

or a 1lH.'"iI1lllld sociilli;oc E rrtajcrity

'n1.(:· ii'lv.[B;ioil

or Poland
Hn!o for the

awav ftoru tin: canteen September rouO\'o'ed by tte r.lVnC'll of til-l!" F.a.llscbirmITlIPP'I-'1l, I n 111~ .a:'i..<;2iull:'i. on and lOr she 'I)honv Denmark.

rcr u dl.LIJ1_gC',

decta
or the

rLit lens r~t or

like most

IiurojX' thC')' yalilo'Jt.oo their

LhtOl.lg"tl the momns

wur' wlule

thCit bul

SlI~iOL"S IllcoocirullY

plan ned
"'ollilnd.

Iww 1he}' The

were

IQ be deployed

No rw; ay,

1\.i}1sJum and

Falhthirmt:rupptll"$

part

in HLi.'5C" campiJi.I!lil.S-

IIfaS \liOkilL

l.i~"t'"'lf(;I;!;twUkJJ..jlM:p:Nrri'pr.lr Uu!JJNt4Jfd F,tII.5tlt.irrj~ i:'W11...n;"lj~I'IIIi~ll'QIilr 4I'fr1(11r111'115 WOi'.Ift'N" ~1lrd lJI6

6{f1(('f

00 l~i1'"

IMs lrpJMN'i'lfr,l!

,fjrrolftIJI'(I:,'.U'sr,.mJ:-rol'"llI'olIiJr..l o(I'fJIJ~~,'t!W.lOf!lj"JIj_s.roII!lIr
[M.rd.itf,h.:.iI1'jIJt~M)lJI

~t~m

01 UiI/llIf'Jrl. tlrotri'aN'rMl'willj"1!ospKifr IfI~J~IJ. rAjrjl~ w.rlKriQ,lr,

ss

$.ll0rL.lh'ro. of ron rldcnce

Llfc returned

to normal

for the best part or a ycer, alth(J~h

1h.1!"1"{! as a new alr ......

Lioffi{io.n..gsttlie men
C!n11[!

:ill1.l a 1\1.1 ocr m

nO\\1

IliJ.<!Iron til;) L there

{JJ5poi;!lr rneo ruJfnl.;11liie; '1 he w~ faulld first

tho Mt~oi;ks on Greece and Crete whfch [cb LO te dOJ.~, of m~I.11 nGrI ca rn IJ.illgn lltc Here, Oil uic VE!fY (II

1~"1!"rr!

crosses or \\'oPi~d Badges so a 111()()([lctlln.g and elesson

\\-.il.s.

IJUt, a.gJ}Ln. I he campa i&ns were so Fust .a nd furtcus Ihol:re real

\'.jl:50:)l

nc umc

10 tli i rlb; abou L FIlcgcr Dlvls.lon no,

cxpcnence lar! n&.1

C!

me whc n 7th froru, remorseless

poO~H.'t.I ~Lljj.I,') ill to I nemsetves

September.
Now.

Leningrad

!hCOfalischHnnruppeJ'L
{!on~my .1ml am.I bunkers u~\I:;Il'y
:;I

nerent

roe.

21 1"\11 l~~ h

llol(b-tl.1 rrcd biJulcii{'ld.

1111:' men

learned

to Ii ~'I;? in trenches

d~'ilizro

ever LI su,:nv-tlllE:d

amei'i i !i'C5. no rri~n(Jly bars, rcsmur a ms oCi ncmns 1},3lli,;l~W ror a bOO. Uruter 1h.I:'£-I!' condnlons
IhC' biJcl.:gwund. or help hmaJ,; OC~.jJ1i; o ccusumc t LlI much or Ihc the Lu ftwa ffe, \\'Ilic~

0'

wnh no
,'!.

nnd

llisl

1J.M n.J.:.(!l life When

the weather. in C'lfCl)'(l.ay men's ccncecauon.

""'.'1$

i... 1 P.1rt (]i ~

It alm'd, SUPIIO,t

ttl i;S

tjme oI:nio)'ed ,~~rl.ill supr~m~c)', countcr-anacka. ~JiC'd, i...aH:t, There W2I:5-also

unable autumn

\0

attacks, Iryillg

up gC'1

Sovlct

the

im]JCsslbtl! Ihe anowsroems ..... ere a lills51~1'1

>:!ViI!1l

1-iJ1.1.. or

10 SI<!.y <l.ry or
was beth

cremes

wnh
wlth

uic bCOgjl1l1iflg Or
and the :s.whlhlg rrom

frL'C"ZC--, Iher~ thLio~ could

tllol: :;Ippr"llllng ...;:o!rIto contend sop it ~U there was rlte

liitltthat

an t-i'LI!"T11)' illl<lcl<;. until

their ba)'unets Incessant men,

-vcre
I hrough

visilloJe. lSod.y nee the sheer not ex heunton.

constum ba nertes
In thco

ir.r!l~tIQJ1. cl rrtcd

To

stJl£!llHrol:

l..enlngr.ild, the

~U lloLl.gh mort

1e.~rJlol.'t! 10 sleep

''''~T,because

tl100'llgh

mea I .il (].iJy even I n uccember ~uJV'JWlr.5:,. shaken

i it was no' but nol ~I

nus neue. Focd, mon or me ume, W3S racbue fl~]d klt<ehen.50 were .5:tlll .ilblll: to IrtP.rIl"
ruj~jjiL"_

a l1~~I1.ip

thts oNIrly

:501.I[)p-ly I 11[!"2I:l-t hOI ~ 0<1'"!e. i 11

L"93"9' ~11(' trLlJ.J.:: il h Fl.ie~e, Dtvtston Or demor2l1l;wrl

h(J\~"1.'"T"('-T,

\I.'M

rei

teved

ee

!Inll:

,'I r1.U

I.hco

~I their nr:;1 taste of total war, round

iii

themselves

bark in 5tC'II(Jil.L. FOr SOme.

it \..~

~lC!rt-li' .. 'd rcspttc C

because thC')' dtscovcrcd

~mjl~tcId(fy(fJ'.., U'CtFolr.a(ltJgffloo/n.:tJolItl
(,I

.I\'I}I'rJ1'(,lN!1';v

t:rm~,in J~,~.

EI'fflrifl~l).D<:I,.Jp1jr';k ~rJ r£!ror.ItJ·llrJt_{Co.I1I1.rsr 4J{ CNrr#~J'v

A,.M~j

.tiI'IbJ'

Jii.:.lirrfLo:rrJ

AIRBORNE

arplI,~jl"

themsel when

~'I,:'S

.u mh~1

ill

LO :t new brlg.ade Lnlol:n·d<:d1'0 off. ~he men

\\'1!f1!'

5~

rh~d

an rli mom'C' ~~~ult

on :\·I2IIU, Here, ~'day

r'roba~' l1JSl:'4m:h ofl! iJ.", ,rlrufJ';.Jr,jrY':"IIoI,rJ Ht--tlth ilr,r r{lllill.rK.roIlrnlvb{mr('l"lII~rlr jrfxliliJfoCVJrJr,tclb~!'IIIr.:1iIPj'

I(.IfJb"Jrlr;!',;IJr.I",flhnl~

~hl~ was ".~II~ 111C' unespcocd

I he

I:nl)luniXII tor Nol1 h Mrk,iJ 10 jObl Remmel. 'me LL'lII,'("t'SoO!ItiCio \'I,'C'L't the i'loO'\'

·l"~'('r}·tlay lirl"' ill'!>1JJlloL'd LOtilCr J1.'l"\\'mcarung, M

heat

and Illes.

ellLll
~W"lilb

~1 ll~h1,

I he lI;on~I.11l1

~nd,

od\l~~ and
rnorc

sril \.... hleh

InV.3o:J~Levery became
LI.

(Jon: of Ihl"

skl n. 21f1",1 mte m

keep! IlJIl wcupons

clean

illl even

cssent i.:11 chore -, ,lIld the

aJk'crllltlJ

ueuscunng

or

fIi-l"S

cvcry-vncre. Food, or

the J"clo:.ot

u,

al~

I'<!I!Il

fJ~ljXUi.OJ1, way i nto Illili'l's rmil

as Itnli~oe In otlloC'l Ille;:ll~

of 1,,'.fIr,!1 was nnl pos;sl!J.l"<! rm,1gc In the d~.o;:'t to I he cxc.a!.iml.ilJ 5I::r.ilwny ~oo.L did rnukc Lt~ sausa,gC'j, ..-tucn

1.0:'i.Ullpli!'nl-l!'llt 1hoenorm~t daily

rauon

Issue, ilil hough 1I:Oil i"jl

Ihe ~1('WpoL TrLC' unoee leaf of bread .f~lll)'

were

provtded

a.1.ong wil n ('ach of m:ug.1r'll1l1: end iru..Li.gl!'!o.tible. resh F \..,nilC' Llic 1111hls

oi;OO~(KI11l m~lI~

tli:l<! brll;;~rlll:;5),

pot

mns (if mal;.: (rqll~Cll:mC"Jlt) corfcc, tasted di5.l':ustill~ and were ...rtu<llIy i ilnd \'q::cl;;]bll".s. were SI:"l«" b:("pt a wiuchjul and 1.li"ll't-.cX'"" dy~nI(!lr of Ihoe (lr~n~ medics eye for nnystgn typfuu.

ai'l~ S-C:UIV}' soon struck. The only consotauon alW

Tho::l!.!' fiII~~::..chirllltru.~ptli !Laly bcneveo. lind pli:mll fut,

wLw ~lo..Ir~·ivro \htir of wine

Arri-C'ai\ ~f"'Ti

I~!{!r fO'Lli'Lcl I L\{"Li.\~11fo1,,'S in 111l{!"~here the' in

iilili.::ill~', tll.,~ ih~ thoer~ 1"3~ ptcntv thc Ix:aul

h!lltl <!1'i)1 n a 'ClI5hr billi:t'. .... <Ind. ~\\•ay front ~lgm;o.rirl'{rs ilil~

The food W~5 1'10 whclesornc ..... the fmnt

\\'iIo~

~1)ll"ndi.rJ scenery, even IhoLigh

ifu I

Ill(, maSli i n~i1 L ('Jty Si,gnl S 10 el~joy,

Hut

J mly there was also she grO\ .... 1n@ awn renees I h:). thll: T!h Ird Re!ch Ill-eo snbr-l'Cl was r.ilr'C'l)' ntscusscd, when th~ Weroi: except J 10000·;:,~'~r. OC'l::i1R1l" il clear to the LfOOl)S Uu~tlie end

""'.' 50

now 01'1the cJefen~l~ most muted frlelld$. prom ~

I..-ith me .he rest.

wa~ ii1 Sigr.l~ 1.lt!!oi)ile ~Iitler'~

0'

'11"rnl.del' l'l"NiXms·, i les 10 Lrudge

Of~red

to

:)oonOOIl

Gustav

Llne ,'i11{1!tiJ.mll: fell, would I]I[! Illilll)'

Twa dllY:; tater came more

Jll

the news or the AI Iled !<lndlllgs ilnC ucrues LO flg,Jl L before

In Normi1mly,

hullhl!l'4!

I tiC')' coutc

Experience of baUie
't h~nrd remember a nolse, I 1~lmoL't!10 the ri~hL and lol'l~:
<!I

there

r $011" n hl<!lo;lo: soldler

In front

of me. If

correctly,

he lEiU~it.'d. uut Jn u snuauon member

like thi~}''01..1 remember F..1l:'iII;hI rrnj~&er I

)'GUr lr.Jinill_g_ F'rl~r!cll to the

be ..vhc :5ohOO1:sltst lj~ f frt."illen sergeant.

Fll:lor.l\\'e-~I "'!{lUI Iloenncr W<l~ OOI'~t ou ClliiS1111<lS ~y his 19"·~,:)1 havl

cr

6th

R~glm~nl

von dar Hcydte's .old ccmmand

- du.g in nee r Obermarch 111C' Ardennes to ~ure

on the Bclgi.:1ll-Gcrlll.il.n

rcrm cor CO,

Illeo hot:igJ1Lof n~ vallan tly med

off("nsW'{'. Unltii.owil

hl5 obJoectl'l/ll: dtlfl

na.

Operation

Sr.,uHtT,
I h~

had 11Cl:n C.ilI}'[Ur>OO itli a broken w to

arm tli rcc diJys eurftcr, Renner ceuueucs: IltI" rontIllion!5

;Jo

1I1~.;:;l1i 11~"pillol

;wi'l~1 I II'~!I. ntK'llI.1

~1'1t\(~.

hill

lM.'C'.J.lr.c- 4lf

iL1~1L1;lind

!Iu,' II(,I(Iol'

oruto IJ..:!iL oays, I j~Jj-[inl:r'.abl'c-to goi:'L r~~ ~

!.hm off. AnYL"'3Y.I~

di5JrljXilirotLbHk

illllWo~_

I Wil!!i
whiiflli uto OIJI~

~hr<:kln.g

my

romlJmy~ pa~

-I.:mpl~~ln.('n~!5iJDiJ
",,'i11'

C'1''COtu;J.lly bK5; to lhe tan posmcn. r &011

''-Ille)' wllC[C' !tLC J\InL'Ti;:"'In}' :sornca.w 'I'l'l'(' slICllol!~1 00 .Jol

w.n.l 111.iildliIl4;'Joj,Ui"i 51".

us ~uib poi 1~li!I;l ;11 Ihe

"'-;):5

I WOj,!; .1 1}11 pUlZlro.. C'l.'Cl}'lhl.llg

so (£III("L..

IIK'!1.5udo:Jmly

me, 'H'ry, Whi!.LIh~ hen ~1'4,' ~'O~I Oll!,!!:? \·oo'lllx d l(~

OOI"E'r. IJulln)' ;n I~X;; .... ~r~ !'Li('].:i(1;!l our, I

M~tN

out o.f :!I-.M""!' :Sh04~ r'i!ln;g out and I di\"ftI

·Ll'lufr.p'_ Il'S a ~II}'

ren ~ ~1(l:dcfi

!l.lrJIIJoi,~ r~'llns

-;I

dull rhuo

Jr SOI»CClIU' hu

lu:st hit

roo ..... h II nc..jjVYclub, J scrambled 1:1'1 11 p.lniC' irno LI'I(o

,n

FALLSCH1RMjAGER

71

A1RRORNF,.

rn~C:.h.n~gLln m)' II;:gs

il'ill[('h. iI~ an

JIO~ ~il.d

my mutes

10ft' lip

somo pseces cr

bfd ntol'Cli.

They

''l'fJ.j'piXlllW!r.fI

ICluikl 1'QS.

cm~·T.vlll;}' d"1"4,')5II!g,I l;;IIf thorr~ for an hour, but irll(,r ;;IIwhUt' Olr;:-p-i~n
.:!I '(111]"1' !Il[

teo

I oi!I~d~1 !fIoIilili.:1!

i,. EM!oI~ItI. II~· 1 1i1311.i1gor.."1J 1,(;1 . of

lhi'

:Kr.J.1111il!!'

Oul

em

1lir

~!(IIn~t("h_ .'\

rC'l~ seconds

paeeo men I heard O"·CI"J_ Ir;ook! ~r[ln~

-D!1(,

Americans.

MIO

OO\'iou5t~ spoke ceeman, snout thor posslblU.y mat

1~llh~1

ckl;)lI1m riikr·ICool;;:'
}\Qu ~.i'II:! ~~I o·r

1i..iI\~ ,gil"('n m~lr!Jp.

I li~

buL there's ~'''' ..jI~

"'\II)

[ClIIW! ClIIW![ !.Idto. Ilhouglil

OJ]

IlIJ' , ...~}' Il!(IIlliJ

h~1~]:>I,'n.
TlilYli:! ill

th.J"I!:W

myst'lf 9:Sblli!, C'I-iwIHl

IJtilll~1

rn:r- (']OON~ ror 31""hll~. Loti :! p

Noi;:k;

l.liOO

nlll.i~G: myseu

trno

IJI~ nusn.

\\\11);11

1;;.11 'bing but [ 01

10 my roI11~

One

{!oj"

Ih~m hoill)lrod rue ncross

!umi~

ril!'lfl ano [lid t·ll~ ~

In. ~)ut "'"'II:!

oC.3tril!oil

an ~]Id !ill~lIy 1'I,'.lIC11Cd lib!:! .comp.;:iJI~· (o(jlltllt.l1lu.!

post NlK'rr=- [lK'rr=- ..... n 0 dOOOl. o \Vilr. of rae. I:'i. never gl.il rnorous, 1t~ n.aS1y, bru

COlI

tiill. <I i rt)'

hl~.

and

llll~d

1.... 1th

I_);i!tl.

unendurnblclMel in june

[IOiJ;.t, C"DJlfuSLOJ\., dUSI, SJ110kC, d1..iJri~ and

VOl1 dee

~1C')'dle. \..hose ltne on D·DLI~

6th ThlischMml.~:gcr

iRe.8~men.

I'C.!i~

the Q./l1)' f,arl~lil'mj;::jgt:!t contuston

u.tlil in tl111: from

19-14. a!ftainLy

encountered

beht nrt Ulah boach:

liIJt'{jn./.u.ttorifrt~j,;jcllafJ (brliIL·F.rJI¥'/r.it.rlJ,iclSwiJlIIJi'ir r.rjl\"'lf}l~!r.I'Jr,lj'iJ!Di"mJl';llrt

lllrJ ,r.,:ar"'i~"dJ.

l'trApril '9-l0j1J!~J I'I)UI!,II'JI'r'IF"rffN.ri-'l~f.Nrt'"

t(l1VO!!hrP"mrdl!J"i'l~~.rm

mI:U~NI."t'". Inn.,.

Ir morJ;i 1~1'W!I, u..rnl~1 Ihr r<'.J,r f Er~ o

i'ot'Xp4Ytl1fiJN
l1M,1,IIL~~

wr

lrt'lH1INC.

"

FALLSC~IIRMJAGEli:

Q[]

th

"'r~1 ph[llU

;;:!"}'

r(~IW

nlJ' grdm,

I \'fiI5
l(Kffiddo!'i'l oIlj

m-~'own
!(J. use

bess. TIll(: oI):IlI~' C'ont~1;1..... U~rOO8h .~ .11~

uus tececse

5=f(·nffi

nerwcrk.

rm~l .... 'eee

GIJII.C ilC"J05.S

.a'

rne

l;t~1C11:

~~'~l.!Ii"k"lI:! 111C" ey. l

~1~siI18
;ljM!

IJlC"

nnes,

I 10

an

mUrM
tbe alOil& I

IOWo2f In St C6.rru' du M-Dot,. got hotd of

ttlQ.5t.11K

'I'OOL U]1 UI~ -II

~~l:~ a I.OO.k QuI

ever

oor«$

m:

h;.lll.l \\"~ ai}jj, Ncr("

1101 iTJ oil ptr.ilti.o;1l allhi! Lh.U!(!

tc

orrer

I"lgofJrClu.!: fIe:Si~'.JiI'l!N'.
GnC" detour

At 1:!~\f![)' mue

III>(!OO;!J~L as o w

a tllJJ1~r

loouW
t h;:vJ Matt!.:..!: I~ 11!lI[<

see. onl}' (lUdl!'.II 1;M..oc!1

was
~I::

'hin;!!

IIIl

lhe

emencans.

rcu m)'
carne lii}('

f~I.I!!C.hh"mlruppm
ill

~'l:ryVlJI!I('rahic,
oott~1Y whkh

10

n!~' comma TI'i.i1 W~

Ild

pol-!

~OO

;K[U'!Q

Ge-rIIL.;ln wnen

~rtl!l('r)' I '1.il81~Y'

10'1;111)· ~t!I!I!L Erlm

me seeener
!..XXXIV

or ·d~~~!!"!
KoJp5.]1

eeneaeec
!O dd"Md l:_now

[GCDl.:r.l.llI!ulD-IIRl n(ll1ll

MBrek3., CO Dr I!M fhm

LOld hlm

I had

lOllY

of 501COI1lI!"til! Moot,
~f 1(1 IIIi!'

I hi:!;;1 1:0 leave b«";iUlM' scmeene,

ur' ~]II"e-ljrW&~ 10 Wlllldfa.w.,

I don'!

who, hCld

,K.i'ft"lllhll' 11011]'

~Wilt!ol:![$I_O

blOW

[O'IfI!'t ,I,e- Ri~\f!r because

1Jou'''I.
c-.h~tJ

AU 1111!-.r.!11.'1!$ f

I)'i' Gaf('m~n I

h.iid bc-i:!n

grven IJ~~ .o_td,y

1001110'1."(,
had

'w.c'

W(!!o!" -Eirral.d

'\oIi!"

~~oLJkllM'

il,lmxtodcd, ~Il om h~V)'

:s.<!~oWs

OOI"B'!:OSC

to

de!' JI.

1bc w;:I101.":r Wo)1

u::p 10' cur

-lIOO .....C"h~d

;g_ulU ","'i III us. TWi) -01 Illy

K)]dit;:1'$ ~[rQW":n(:f.l_

F_nli<!l ill the war, 'til i l'1._gs 113.(1"1umes been sllgtnl101N!~ler roc the
then O"!Jerl(!Ulniml (t~t U~L~tr;:!mlflt} RLI:QQIrWlt;tlg, a ~OCOI1.;J tow who ilSS3'1,1i1 on Etx-.n. I!,i-"i!lcl O(IC"{' he secured bier",'

Fa.u:s.d1ir"D'llfllpopen.

TIl~

led Srurmgruppe I'i~ gJide.r. suo,

'Gr.anU' In the

tor
ilr~

Our bTl

lilt,al

1:iiJ.! K.:i~ I[) h~dln:!!

'1'1;:"

in lh~

f(lrllfil.~1

,'utr.l.Ilct'j:

;lfl,oi,I

!IW! ~uxk: :DUl'lng

im:(i

Lh~ utlltl't:$ hoor~ ~,

cr

lht

rcss.

9111('~plurod

po:sLLI.O'JU

uilLi] lli!lief 10

-l!iffl\'i2':.L

somo

mod.toriUI!'

fi_ghtlng_.
r.!!rtl,l~
II.I.~

miln~-8,N

to tecoanenre
l\C~n ;)rt~IIC'Y

the enuenccs
.)' .. rl~

and
~hclt .... .i ~

1o'O>r

pm~IRt~

ilil!" 1n:s.iiJb.lon!!i
;t1'lr.1 !Itoel r i.-lfar1lr)" lI.i'ld.eo.rgtO'Wlll.

i!I!Ndy
:itt~di;:4 rarer we-

II.rut I h~1l t~

OO.r m~ltI(.I:ii$

[i!pNI!~ly

olH"'E'rlilt:! oonho\'m!lYi'I 5OUm::5

~1_Oj~, Ml.idl

ccvereo
tt1e

\oo1!n dense

learned

from Bcl.gIiJ.Il

lhi.

tbl~
IhI;:

Wi!.:5 00 ccumer-nueck,

but mClt'.ly K'(-orulOltdng d~y.

1111(: [1~iIICIi m.('n' IIW! ~U'Jiling.or I~,

edvances. 1I',.":!t!~~tC(] ~um~ scetjcn

Th~1 :n~'1 ano a.rl-Kk !;If:H

"'"ol$ \1n~nlflJl. ui'lde1' and ~!!I!,t(!·d our

~~lI'r

h2iJd

nghlln&

;;I:'lJrlllg

p.ll'Ched., ~

firi!'_ F.I"'ef)'

bur,;!

'-!'Ii.g'llll~~\·i!'

sl.gnflllfd hours h'~

me 911fy~o«"

flfii!oo..

MI"'l'13

wc::r~ L!2M1!"_AooLl.!

0;:00

Ion II
rClirt'i;J

}..u:;-l

the

Il'iOnlc:t"

!l2I~~l!klo~'

~I b~t

-1!1T1,,~ at

the fortlikiltloo,

;)fttr

bYry'lnti

OI.If dr-1!d

~Ild

IUil'ldillgoCil"'(!.rOur.

p[i~l~.~.

Roth 1he eaptu re of Eben Em~el end ~hat oJ Crete .j! ~1 !a.t~rwere rn Il~HOl1,e5 the Ifl i u.!ilifi('d emil non (:If I he F"ill1I~h I rm 1.lI;ge'J 1~&e!1<1. every vlctory b.~t in war comes ill. ill prlce. Obedel"II'ttX"1 (Str_gcoa(II-Miij:Or or Hi.g.h t StIgeant) \Vi!lll('I wacmcr III':!Sine l}ilOl 0' c m:$ 2:30II;h,lr~n& Inv.jjj.loil or Crete, He- recalled. tne
,Ii,

hu.&~ !iX!: ·1:1000 -dUSL of hung

1o'I.000~-1!lI K110 .&J~r
W(!

ffi"'E'r ,
,!;["C'I~

ue

~lrlh:!l.d.

'ViLh.iil 1~ mmurcs m)' K~'~ Irtl;!!ltn

or

uuce

~ir(:r;;flJ lhl!'

go wlth a
ru.-1'l1;i1cd

of

dgb'

FaJIKhtrmtruJl~n.

ecch, Thl!" I" S2.5 rolkt! foorw.ud;.

11!m-r !Ile

-O~"(!.flt:l:ld('(l:

:il_;;)]ig

CIi.lI'lJj.iI}' I.X:Iii.!'I.!
.!Iir_

Ihlo:" l.oCIw.'iil.& ~irc[o:L'r1 ~11~ Woo]d'-I'!

,Ii.K!Wld. Slowly E\"CIYOIl.<:

unb.oO.l(:hl:S I", the

w.m!

pulll2d nne lhi:!

\\'¥!:!i Il~lll_

lost in h~'!iown lhou~M~

II W'a.~ til ~li.J1 uakll!l8 fI!tl<ll

ThI!"'Dpm:H:~
11'1lh~ bUI fll".!!l lishl 00

t;Ii:r bc11J11"<:
or -Clawil. W~ now

\15. \\'('

Nd

II,OW

resched OOT too f('W.

:Suddl!!llllY had

rne !O"'"'i.il8: !irCr.irL \",'c-

rl;!!lbt of

us dU'lll1l11hf"oid,

B rope

g.lI:dc!.

20 men

00I.I1[1 ::,.C'c' 01 101 ~ml,JnCI.

Of mU!:iJuoom-~h;J.pcd SlJIDkI!' :Ioud~- lhe ~bc'r.) <

I -could l'iulo!i:! Oul I]I~

~r<:

;;II'l ..... "(;Irl::~ pl"'I:p;1-rll1!J tli.l!' ano I~ I~He 1)I(d.:li'll1l

AI Iml[<fV~1s

li!!' or

Ih~

l:.:ir1d. ,Ii, 'r.ew bushei.

l,mBOR~[

the

landlng

urea,

\'i::- ~

soon

cjeso

'0

me

I~DJ.n:g

p;MrLL hln;t:

but 'I'~\

100 high, \\'(. 11:M.1 to h.lIJlIl('llln:;;

.:ifid !o'I] f;I~~

move

\"{'ry

~,~i11r - ....1.: f '

.::tI'Illdu'"l
I~I Wi:

IJrC5{'nL

a t~q;~ fer ~hI!"Fb5;,

,

E.V('1)'"4 (t:ll_ TIk'

111m·.SIl1~~hl
'rho ("r~\~

11110~ biL~!J.. 'ruo 1'I:"('r~

1,o,'lnJoj, ,.mel ...olI

rt'l" .:irld I!!rM:t'

j!:1.idiS [udo:~J

~'Ji~""OOsun.

lUlSGl111cd-

illl cllrnlwd

001.
'L'I.'i1..1. wounded by smeu-anus fire. I\!rhilp.~ udell 19'-yC'.;lr-(lld J.tigC'r (l'ri\l'a1CO) Karl t.isenh::Uer born Ji:cogim~n. who, l!~ m:;my or b!~ oOOmr;t{l~ h:uL~.n.

wachtcr

\\•.Ll~ lucky, MrrO\lli~

thoLl.gh 1~1(!f In 111{!" day he cxpcrtencc

au (.'"1""1l!"l1 more t-."r. 2.l<omJ»nl~ par.!chult!"tl probtcm

\1r:JS

of lr-d p;)ns('hitllll.'!~r
iI

into

limdlng

21

i:Om,ldll!r.LL.hk dutence

rrcm

Ihl:' desjgnatcd

potnt.

Hls fl~.t h1..'"iI1

hnw LO rejoill

hi~ un i L so, i.I!J;iLJ'Ld.on r'L.I!: ('\"t!I~ his ~ldmCl i

ill Ule fcrcclcus

CLp'[:HOLLel1(.'1d:) cluster or hQI.I~. HLs next sLsb~ 1rY"iI~ 1\\'0 dead J~I::l:ers.. • hen ;t Cr(!I,l n. woman do! n.g her "",Ji~h!ng, who .I.C'I!!"<L rued loud Iy, B)'i)ilSS.i.(1!: Iler t·IOUjot. Ilc cntcrctr the vi 11;:tgt!". -vncrc u IlumiX"r or young men were lounging around. "Thyl '1B: to conceal h i:50 Ie a " r:;1~i~ f(-'lloC1:;!Ipp,ooched I hem and (}egg1Xl ror BI (lrl nl: 01 II'ill er h('rorol!" !mdginl!:. on, sri nl? ,r,:n,'nn~In j).Jlrp«!ilHon or a 1l'l..lJJel 110,.5 In b.iJck 'FartUIJOlH!'ly: ncosaiil after flilallr rt!jOinin;!!, hb unil {It.'~])ih!' runntng a more scrtous gaUiUl(,1 of fire from a B-r!Jl-s.h P-o' trot '11l,C'}'only shot -vltcn I WiU q II i te .a. do ...... • he- rQ;:I(I, .fl nd th~y m l:5o:S'ed!' n n1C last w"Oru 011 Crt.'I1I: goes 10 Hauptmn n n C'M!'rharu Schmner Itom II/FJR 2 W~I'O jllnll:K.'cl et t'lcorLikli.Oi~; was n h;)1'ti l1&h\, bUL we bicI\' whenever 'It )'OU ~hl :tg_aifISL U\(." I!.Fij;Li5tl. it was ;Ii r-;lir flg_hl. We were .abl·~10 send over envoys !lmJ agree on :;!I ceaenre. So)" of an hoor, so tb:)~
he

but net .~e pl-s.to!

,,,'l1lo1:'hW:1S his

(Io,nly weapon,

''''~y

both me

sides; (.'Dtdd rcufcve war <ns

Ln~lr IIT.lUndiXL' Llko wachtcr. -vho

iii

Elscnfcller

and Schirmer

LlI~ .I.ll....'i~'i!d

(]jd Otl!Ctj:i!;l.tr 1tooi..X-.r1 frC'uJohr

I...:!S

scutcd the ro!tU of

iJl Yorksil.ir{',

i!n.gI.a.JW, ;)1 Rt.'giml!'"ll

.he

-cfld

0'

11OS1mtl~ He

C!ptnred

by

Polish

troops

of

;\101'1111: C:ns.!no m.QI'l:)S"t~ry. At

uie

time he IIY"iIS 5(!rvi.llS with

II"N!o eegfneer

company

4tl1

F3iLlschkllllj3ger

jjI\'"Mt ..... r.j"Jr(fJ'th.r ~ ~·illlj£lliTlNrllrpp;.'lJj~"bIj:M Cr.!'III'. ~;~m~J't..III'1I.i,):i'"Jro'

~'dIkWl
r,fI'I'Ht..I. ~r.rtlol«

rMtrI.Ut'll .Lllitolj ",,'lj,IJi'L"'P

jilt fi(""liL'Fl;,n;

IIr.JrllwjJjp.rt~/Ml.fJ{ r.llrn~1 i.lrtJPOfl,

r4

Cr.',I"'1.IIp.:1j'j;.!o'I'J!,IoI.II'J,~(j I-I:rrin}'

iJf !Jrhtr {IJfttJr"s

te m"jJ~r

iln..Irf!f"rNla~(.l1.rI'tolII.ir..mllj IIITI.k'fiI'JI5.ro(mr{lln'~

raw-U"i1~ p!PkJUOOp
~II'J.i{rrI"-(,b.olrhur}-

aJll«rrom

fAU.SCI-l

I RMJ,lI.G F.R

On

.\pri!

L I w,u

po!ot-l'\.!

to'

Rocro

J~111J1~[C;!.Stlir
Iilflo:!'~~ ~
l.;~pII

I W I] o1In,t! I

I~~S
;]I

up

there

antll

the ortir! -(ilJ'[JC 10

!~lfNil.

·nll!'}'

"'~rL!' ~Idlill:.!i rtg,hl (or

U!I. ,III Ihe

....eru ' If"JIIn.g

Iii' .• \<, )'DU

rl,;II,JIIOm~1I
16 nO'L

{Ioj" 2'11 rl~111oQld,

"'';II)

1i11I'lI(-.~LhlL!' I<.llOw '1... :1'101)IDLI felt. 1lK'y ro

f,;1i~·1

Lt'i.:llt~"O!.I Imd
roo say,

I~u me,'

for

voe,r OOul'lI 'y.

it.

'1'00

Iot"lf·~I,"ir\·I\';:Il,

If

;:L11)'Onl!' gor~) me

k:lIIro,

·It's.

"'nj"ollc-wbiJ-;s;]~'~

:\ftcr

mfd

Wii:OO,

"".IJ" waned

1:0 LLm('

sneus

one,

hl'CI _ l;ijl

men

L",'O er us II'Qulll

!~}:('ail

_ SI

.lILvo'JpI)~'L.... Thorn It ..... 111)'lu m, l'hcr(' -OS' <I~ \\ hell. I 5cfltdltl

l)JI{"k.' ","'(lb.' w.e;

"'.-lI~ n n;:L~h,io-w
rnv

BOO- I don'4

.... ow, I passed out, n ,1'11it'll

\'I",l' \'I"h~~

!II) I t:[.J.wlL"[1UFt LoCI I'IlCIrl.:lllo:!'r,'a lid ,!ojtll !Q 111.:0II r)I ~'d I~, 111(' t:kJrlc(!" lhc
had .;loom pm <i

b;:LndJSi!' rounu
n

1"8. ;j,1'~1:'hl.id, "T1I.:1I·~ i,.

have

}·Qu·1(! i10L

goiitSl.
h-,u

If IJlCH'

be...... .j) rooJ ;:II11~ l~tI 11 1·.;Ii

)11(1.:, I

....01!ld '

tiled

ro g'L

baork,. but there

nol'OO..l.onlr

rl)l,:t.

wtlO scm ~rje-drkh

111m to an <!lId ~lo1t1rm ;md thence

!\'.iJ;!,."

Into c.il[llk\'1t)', Th{' follm~frl.Fl \lilfNIld lon a rLtHllg elldil1g (rom Leutnan I L'I", A{kr Rmti.r. 11II<11I1,'rlJi'll

TIle Eastcm flUtii

a diikl('nl

'\'orld,

uuscherc,
hy ltussjnn

;!iU.;!Iched LO &:: n mprgtllp~ parttsens In the wlnter

"S~II'm'. Is

to Utb chapter.

,.,...:!~ kiLL'l'd

of 1942, bll ~ h is alOin' 5l1Mvt'd; guosu rut du.rlng 'I'ilh ad" Ihe- avengers, 'rh('}" NOUW
[I)

h~I1-'Io4IU.r

H,c (01'("515 i!1l.d llU('!;h~ sre

l1;:1l1nlnl by pursue

nil;:'

J.11.Kk ~I~'1IlL!'.~IIIf'oL·Ltodl~·,;1.( if ri'loirl!3 [rClrll url~r.er Lltt' Nlrlll.ll~)' Initio Ille IWLfu.'r I'f8l1on.:5. Til~ l)JImnJ.Lion! 51:.N'lr~') I lK'o'!:r '!.':1j;~CIKN 'Vhi
1(' 1 nm

3.,....Il~('i

IJI~ 10' dh;j'PIJl.:~r 11k.'C' ~;:'Yil~

::'~i1J'

U.:51:!1'(!f]."""llo:!'i'4.!. .lr(' 1,}(!\'1.'1 liMl !.'!II(' troll1 u-em. .he WJ.r. I cannoe
.:.c11i,!.S

-IIny11lkng II k.:- 11 ;:Illp..-hml!'i..llkirl~

nus

nj!!lnl
!il,ln.

the
It I~

'"'t'koornl~fN'Slt~lw irmJ 1!,rI,~ lr!.ir jilL' birnl9 rIN't.lI'Sj'JI\'IIK'iV4".rqI~I.r,'hoJl'I')i· fl!ll.Aru,.:irl.ltrJriJ."J'i'K.~c.f.l'W

.r~r,r(tlr.li''[''ljl~r,.P.&.rllli~

0'[ 11I~ (CI~t.

eru

r~', I 1cM.i",

;;III1!1;iI;:t)' o1ItU~

bI!~1 OOL'O IlILnl.: .:11001011 n.

{ltU. (C[;ijI'h:'Sraf{.'lr,r~ iliW'YIliJ,f<,!.rr.:'.rJJbl'hin-;O}

CRETE 1941
PeterD, Amill

Back.ground
invasion of uC'!c in Milr 194 I stands as ZIlaudenark in me lijSWry Q1 anborne .... 'Mf.iJL"(!.L'lntil .ll~1 i)(;JlrU. alrbome opeeauons had been used nt.lIiflly in a •ecucel iUld operarlonn! COJ!lt~t !O setae l;ey oblecuves I", advance of ~h~ gr"Ol.md rQ~5 • .iUc11 ;(Ij. the The German aelzare hWMiofl on 26 April of ere-Ie, L $l4l durl rl..!!:'l the lJ.illken ca m pafgn UC'lgiL1([\

Qr I he

brl{l.gl!- over

• he Corfnrb

Canal, Gerrna n

,Uld t he seizure rom rnu

01 the travel

ro.rtrt.~

M FJmn

Ernacl

on

l I MLIi)' 19 ...0. Tilt'

()ppo<JW

.... ,ptWp G~rrm Ge~Ti'iIll\;:mc

('QirjJmJ.lrj.JNn1i..1:d,..rJu~

...llr

1I~('JtPt«wmil'.I;.r(olIt'jtirfl wflll ,JIllrC'i1 ~.in lj~j1't'W1

(u!NN'sh'l"illrlrrllgt"'Kflir
dj':'j'1I:l,rirj{l\lr.lIIN1tJ:t.!J'J'j.!:

pM3/1* t~ t]r(r 11ff' 00 rl~ flrurK. (!(jIJ~ Cm.m.m

IIlrMrlr>C, 851/1

prob4rb'1y {rum [;dJUfl~~ R;grIfJI.'ltl_

rJrfWlyiJPh fri.ttJ~ li.lt., 00;:JiI.; Go!I)i'l!,!;J1S~;j,u'KJt.rn_

lA~,IAI"lr.irI" Thrnfnrll l.ii!.o.rmy, IM-126.s1·FJ

med Opemuce Mflkur. Or M(rnrry, a £let uie Reman gOO of and t"d~ - the ccun terpart oJ Hermes, till!: messenger of • he gO<b remams me only 0lNra~ ton In h Is~ory in 'L'I:hlo;h:31 malor ;5.1 teglc ril objli!~th:-t- Wil~ iII~saLLI aud ~1X1J rCd cxctuslvcty ti2d by afrbomc 11"Q(l1)S. operution Will~ 1he The tJraineJ'Li.Lcl G(!I~crLlllllajO' Kurt Student, tJ1.(,ccuuuander .and dNUC,ucd ClIEillli)iOU or till: of f3Uscillrnl it!.gC'~, 11100firmly believed IIU!.~ Lhc paratroopers 1\"'('f"E: pable ca O~!'a\iilg tn In~1r Q'IIo.'n'!;h ~ iiIInd not merely as.a tool to 5UPPOO11 the Wehrml)C:hl. r The i rnmcdia te baC~roUII~ 10 OpC'1<!I1ion IHem.r,)' lies In 1he events !n Europe • .il ndJ parucu I.illly U·IC' IlaJ kans, during 1940 ami 19-<11 Wil h tht IIDti)O[IC'MC-[II 1. ot OptTiJI i.0J'I Sft'liJl.,"(' (SMUOlJ), the planned i n-eacn of Iio["i Laiil. Nillcr decided 10 opt fot a pcrfphernl S"t!l"illloe&)' 1)5 recom mended by Ot!hOC'T5 in •he NI):?:i Iller.'! fchy S"L1"0I;'11 iiIISRoelchsmiJIrwhaJ I Hermann G8rl n.g iIInd G rcssadrn i I<!II Erich Itaoctor. Tbe atm \"'I""<!I~ 10 bring Ikl1.~Ln IQ the nC'~CotiEiI i.ug mete I:J.crorC' moC'oc,ul as.s.i~I.jl.rlC{' amid !)fOV-I! A I!fJCCIlvc, or I uc Soviet Un irn~ (I«t~ \0 enter uic war en IhC' J.\lIied erue, Even me ~rm~' oo.I'1oSidelOO1.MOOjLC'rrdli'lotaI1 0 :5otr.l.te.8Y 1'o11th the CI1I.¢ of Sl:30ff, Genoenl Prillnz J-I,;:!.t<l.4:I, dis.cusslng options wUh G(-'ner.a1 ~'Vilillcr von Brauchnsctt. in caS€ .~U;iL!-\l' pmvro Imposslbloe-_ In October 19-10, Hltler attempted to cement .a Mooi terrancan 'l'Ualil ton by travel H n_gen Ii ls persona; I rilin to \oj~il General France, Spa i n's NiiIIll.o:I'I,'!.1 (HeIOi Or. ill Hc-ndajiE' and Marshnl Nt;)il1, Pr~.i.dtillL of jjL L vkhy Fr;mce - the (01)' tlmo H!~t~r I¢t hl5 headquarters 'or i:Hlybod)' ether then 11 Duee. <I ~i.gll I h~1 he u .ached a grt~1 tk-il.l i 111 porta nco to tho pl.-iln, NC'it her ml!t!1lns I...a$ enu rely . succcssrut - I~tier's lii1..'Cti.ngI"'i.tli frLlllCO ~J~I·\Ti.1\g a comment rrom ~'I i itJer that he would r,;!l.oer have 5e'Io'C'L,j] Lee-tll removed - ns b(nh ~dets ""'oC'n:! war)" of 10:501 cctonmrwrruorr n.g coderu

ruceuen.

tn Greek my I hQIOID' -

or

.jJ

Dr

CRETE 1941

77

AIRBORNE
in order "to persuade the other 'to ~()inthe Axis cause. These dlplomatic
effortswere designed

to allow the Webrmach~ to conduct an assault onGtbraltar l'Op'eration FcUv,), then depl,CI:y rein foro~nllenrs to aid the Italian forces in libya (an offer made person ally to Mussolmt) enabling J\xws forces to drive for the' SUIE'i'l Canal, Hitler had in fact vetoed earlier ltalian deslgns on Yugoslavia as 'mf was tiled economlcaljy to the Relch, and he wanted to keep the B,aJ ans retattvely srable. He had Intervened ill ,a k dispute between Hungary and Romanla over the reglon of 'Iransylvania, as Germany depended upon Romanian o:il exports, and while he had allowed the transfer of some territory to Hungary (Httler also settled the Bulgarian clatm for Southern Dobrudja), he had guaranteed the remalnder of Rg,mJlJi,eDrElja and sent a large military 'tralnlng 00i:i15sion' 10 the: country, This upset the Soviets who had seen that part ofthe B,a'lkaJ1s,as tradltlonatly in tli'lJI~:ir sphere of tnfluence.Jndeed they had annexed part of Romartla - Bessarabma and Bu~k;ovinaduring the Battle for France. Despne German dlplomatic assurances, the Soviets accused them of breaching Article IH of the Non-Aggression Pact that caUed for join~ consultation. Having established some form of stability in the Balkan 5'1 the Ftihrer strongly' recommended to the ltallans 'that the status, Iql~O be. fj]J,81intained for the time being. Hltlee 'Was anxious that war w]th the Soviet" Union be .wnitruated 'under circumstances of hls OW'll choosing, not as a result of some crisis in tbe Balkans, This tmmensely annoyed Mussoltnt who wasafraid that the war might end before the ttaltan armed forces caul d. demonstrate their mUk~a.ryprowess to the 'world. Greece seemed to' be the exception 'to the Balkan rule as ~twas techntcafly part oft 'the M,ecUte[ranean theatre and could serve as a strategic outpost to support the Italian drive against Egypt and the Suez Canal, Indeed, Hitler .had tril)2ld to
lnterestNfussoUnil
Commandl

in both Greece and Crete as early asjluly 1940. Both, OKl-l (the Army High
of the Armed FO[(ieS,) had considered plans .f,or

and O,K.W (the' '~'~rngh Command

B'riti$ht AWltmJian ,a,~(i Nel~'

Zeatcmd troop' '(rom a l!!arie"ijl o(rmits d,rsf!lubark at S(Jm~'a Bay aflt!r ,tIM:lr CV:"lfUtrtiwl

from Greece alt.er t.he H'c,mulu ,cf1l't!,[m:ign iu la-tr: AprU 194 J •

(.4. J(,~'Ilfu~der1lmbr,,11 LJb,mry, l DA-O'HH i-F) 7'8

a roin~ ltaHa·rr-GefJl1.an offensive

f:;rCl:'l'l,;'

in thc Medlterranean
,ilIUY

and concluded

that art attack on

would be (In essential part of

campalgn,

Such an attack would t,a~e placeafter

the] rattan capture of Mersa Matruh, the- Greek leader, General Metaxas,

giving the Axls airfields in North Africa from which

to provh.i,e air support for a drtve on Suez and an atrborne tnvasion rntwblta[ned a neutral

of Crete. Although

positlon, Greece was bouod s.trategicaJ~y and eccncmically to Britain" and the Greek royal jl,arnHy had strong Bnttsh i(l1nn~CUDns. Occupyt.ng mainland Greec'f' and Crete weuld pre-empt a BrItish move Into Grc£ice that would dilFf~CUy threaten Italy" provide an additional base for operations agatnst
-~JH~' tralian advance in North Africa and threaten the R.J[)cman~a,n ru~:fle-Ids.. Therefore o an

Italian attack on Greece sulted Hitler' overall plans, and he may J1~lVE' evengiven Mussounl a green liglItwhen the two met at the Brermer P~lSS on4 October. Ihe Itallan intelUg,enc1f' assessment 'of nu~' reek armed forces was unnatt~[ln,g at best G and therefore an easy victory was confldently predicted, Bdit[sh tnrerventton would be ~ore!)taI1edbyMa-r.shal Grazian! simultaneously Jaunchmgthe second stage of hls North
Af.rlca.n offensive against Mersa Matruh.

Musson ni launched bis attack on 28, October after he.'had ignored wamlngs that the Italian,
'.,
',. __• ~ml~1!i3

l~{lfk{j"l!S tflrJulHti'g1t 6-.30 I"lpril F 9~'1.

issuing,

,21n

ultimatum

to the Greeks, Unfortunately

C;J(ptrtU M'el'~dftl,i1.a11

"'-~M~®

® ROIM'AN ,IA7
1

'

.....

'~('~G g SLAV liA

• Rtlllr

ITALY
AEGfAN SEA

OOIiS

IJ
"

<.

28 QI:Iobitr I!!I~~( ~11:<urI~i!!!JI !11' GI'elH:I!! Irnm Altwlll!. 1m k~ 1Mao GRrm;m1rw;P-5 ~ RnmEinta :5 M,lr~M 1 M" AJI300 'tf,~ !!I!!~r Bteea!,
IIM~1ii 1!!N!'1: eml.alll~i!lIl~ 6

IBUlgillii1.

~ g
1[1

I 11
liJI IS

I1 12

~6, Murch: !\oilWi1n~ aI1 M~" I)]UIJIn eal'grndtit.IOO'fu_na.vl!I~rnfJDf fe~U1'II~!£slJi1e hpaftJtl! Pna, T leaillllb!llhi i!nr.lsl00 ~f~l. IiJ\pnl 'jiM 1W1t1t~~!~ IDrfibll1l major ulbiln lIl'iW ~IJJdWing~i W'Foroe ·1lI~~5il1 ol]IC Omrl'lIT!ol:1WulMi ~ UIlItIBr a~OOf;9I'JumM' WJISOn.. ItiIlllln 2mill_lItI'Ad:9~lj'~S lbbl.~ JQJi ~Ulal!j' ~Ti'i!1:da.Giirrn.w .2fflI ~ Ullder lillfJiclmElUam!;;,i; sCum Imrn AU&tl'1'<i1 <'1M HUngm, H'OOR~~JM 3.n:kArm~.II~SlJLl1I1fi'OO!' ~(li!l' PI!rcs 1Jl11mIlirectlcl:I QfN'&.lI SlId. leI. ~ Pil~r" fi;lnm & XU Pi:ll'lijjl ~i a.1tilJ;1!! ~'l'llt1. 1(I.1]][ ,~nlalll.ro 00,"" IIt1l!1~ Gfee~" ,Illimm:a.tl!rIJ!i .)llPum ~p~ l Unl[an 9tIi .md 1l U, iiUll'Iies ,alliltk ~t lR!mQ'BMI'L Forur~!~liill'l dl!;'l!liQns attrulll_~lfwesl;lnitJ'-~!l\lt~ 1toW;!rd1l Dillbroll,rnlk.. 218'A!'u,I' Gilfl1lOO1! :2r!I1Fia1I~llIIDi~mrJi'Fi!QiI1U!nle~!lCti1ES IIIrbDmll aw:wllton M

xl

,IONIAN SEA
~,

16, 27 !'!.prlt!. l'lIhilns, bJlstiil OOfIl'binel'l ~U Xl~fjrC~ 11. 30 I\pril~A'lll!!d ~"'!!ICI.I!!llmn MJi, O

lhlll

bm;lg, ever 'Co!~ canal,

rQJffll(1iJ11 MEl!lirili:IiJn {Gsllirglll, .

W ~ndl

Il------

\
79

AIRBORNE

forces tn
evert diri!rtly i!pi.ru~ been

Aloont.rJ. nsstgned

-vcrc comp.letcoly un
engfneers, T!)e

PlCOp.:llOO 1'0 -conduct

an

aul

UJl'Ul

campaign mountain uncrty

ano
-Sll('il1

t-ILitlIlQt

tact::

of .a clea r and M the

L

Of)

rho ..... ill

port

or Salonjka liue,

Instead LLS murh

or pushtng
G~

s.eru3bte
<!ICro:;~

:5.Lt;) LCOg)'the

as d'Wil1g an.d hntt

rJins(! of the illdfiocllt

exasperated

1'1i.tlCr almost

camIJillt...;n's. qllt~l::ly

unccordmarcd exeeutlcn. He
exPfdLt,on aud the Greeks then

stated

tha

he h~d counselled

againn

wLd,(!r~akir..g the'
10
!II

iiIIl ~niill' poln •. The It,.all.an ~mpiilll,gf.lln

groul'id

comptete

tauncncc iI oounter-ofrC'n~i\'t that drove the ltiJliillm DlIL of II"Li:l1 ccumry a.rLdi tJtrtiJlt1iro AtlNiJl.~ i L~I f. The ItiLl~J1; pos.j\i.O:i'Lill the eastern Mroi.tCrrEilll('3!l then started ro complel,~'y unravel. FIrst the BrLtl~!l damaged haJf oj tlre U.aU:;mbottle fleet in <!I dilring r<!Il(j on the- port of Th ramo en 1 I NO"r"(!TIl_bcr. then they frnervened In creece by ~~fI(h'-l& RAf ~ql..tilod1Dn~ U-ICOtt and a b:iltiJlioll oJ hl1ar1.try to Crete 10 ~~1C' Soud~ Bu~'. Thoe lm rer move aue-eo the GK'ek:5.(00ltall.s!{'I the Cretan V DjVJ~Oll 10 uic mamland, lil a flll<ll blow I he 8,r'lll.5h I,oot the InltN! tI~!f! the' desert \1'.aT alter M.a r5h:al Gr.1lhm! hild ~.toppe<lat Sidi Barnni to re-orgaruzc his WIlI)I)' II nos, The BritiSh attack comptet ~Iy defeated the 1tenan Iorce of ten (jjvi.Siom: tn i.Jb)'a and .hrttlK""rtOOme enure Italian po!iil ion in Norlh Mrka. I'I~ Lhoeserae time a~ ttu: U.all~J's vere faemg Cr'l~15 in the eastern M~ilerri:mean, eveus
etscwhere continued had \\'1;!rl: to chenge the ron text and o,f
i hn

s! tuetton

II:nt'Ti~ty. plans

The

G~rmans

reced tate ]LLly

Soviet intmll~iCCllce-

suspfctons

over their

for E1JlOpt. Since

.ami,

1940, Hl Lie, had been tOYln~ wnh !h1.!' den of exacuy when 10 auacE.; I he Sovtct Unton Out J odoect1;1~ to oddoe1 the d«I~loo to try eo ;5iCCU~ 1111: ~!b 11 ~fld 1'-1ed:1 terea nea 11 meaue in thu process, weaken Brital n's pes! non. potl!nl ia Hy rOKlng her to the neg01 ~il.tlf!g rabtc. Jiilltr therefore consrdcecd de-J.ayi.fIR me LLttLL(":k on tlie So'l'itl UI~ion until 1942. E,''ellitS I:OWitKl;sthe end or 1940 were \0 cacse un nrevoeabtc enstwutd sbUt oJ thc' enpnesu in the German war erfon end hrlns forward IIlI! rtmetabfe for the nrteck on the Scvtet
by.;l; year, Despne ln Novcmbce, Uitler Germe
;)11(~

union Axts.

the

Sovlce

Foreign to pave n_g

Mini~roT,

Molotov. rOr :$ovitl n :sl'lilore ~n

\'hilc-d

8i!-rlin

rQr

negotiations Molotov

be deflected trem ;5.Q"I~~ demende to con troj Flf.ll:;md .a nn PiI,l!,giillrIJl, .a;s wen as the cxus from usc Bailie Sea. l'l tner wus n.aggertd b)' the ,!i;C.i!I!c 1 Stalill 's demands 0 .fI1''!C1 od,ecldW thm the ISsue or when to auack the SevIn 011 Lon J-1LLd. serued. The ScViel been Un len hed to be ~troyro In I:!M' berore the Untted 5ot~le;S c(HII,Q enter .!le \"',ji I' dtxI~l~y,
...... ould not With
W;)S

wnn the

eou

Ribbti1trop

ns diillllgil

n.,g the

rempu

the wily carrot of

membcrshtp 01 lli:1! tlte Bri tisb E.iJlPjlt

l.hi~ oectslon, it pilort

the nature S"01.I them

or 11li! peelphcrat bul to

JiU.hN

~triltq:.)'

changed

runor;I2IRlcntililly. c(HII,Q not

N'o !on_sf;:r Ute

.of
and

tht- loJ'ar The threaten

Lig)llnM B-tita.i.n.
nan kind the Axi~

part of me prcparattcns
so Hun the Bri.tish

rOr wilr against

tnrcrvcne pes! tlon If! the 8<11L3T1.5:. J n Ugh t or the~C' evems, ,'l.i\{1 as .LL ~uU of I ne [ICOI em phusls 011 <I n ill tillt~ on the Sovurt .... Union, I]\e Q.!'kgJn~l:5.uff p!:;!IrtS fiM lh-e Mooi\~tT~l'Ie!n'J .... recrsed. opcrauon rf'"lix was pUL -ere on llOld. J.l"1:i:;lbl), unrt! latn t942" (I~I'~ 100Franco's bland tack of ccmmnmeot to InC! Axi;s cause. HOwoC'.... ·{'r" the i nV":l~O.-l CJ1 (J reecc 11i1..cJ ecome b rnore fmpcrtarn tnan eVN because or tbe need to secure the rlgh L flank .oJ the atli"'ilnce lil LO inc 5o'...let Un len. II I~-oold also act <I~ ill cover for the odep!o)'ll'len1 of troops oe~Sl'l,.r,:ml::5. prepatauon II"! tOI operauoa /j(PfWroSSo:l. In uus li.ght, the tnveaton of Greece Ci;IIn be seen as a Hrnlted oper.atloO" iI..S W<!l~ .he Wlldill18 or an expenuonary fo{~, the- A.fri.KiloKorps .. Jlodel Geuemucutnam Emri n Rounnel, to North J
SQv:lel Union.

be

secured

dr('ttL~'lO'ly

Afrlc<!I IQ OOlnt:r Nil:lcr. ilnticip.iltOOi

the

Irauan

defence

ano

coma"'l

the

gerusn

advance.

No one, Ideas.

lean

of;)11

that

Jlommd

w'(lUld

d'l:'ill:l,op- much

mQr-t: .amb!tJ:o,)s

Cltnf..I'941

(jOIiilR me-n hild

(';u."

and

gucdcr

were

00111 1JJ1I1ilP~lY ill tin: m'w 1111:' drt.'"iIdl"t.l two-front rot-eof actton.

li::ml'hi.l.~i:!. Oil in

iI

move eastwards. turned

iu

801 h

wu I'wKiI (II see

oHLcr to prevent a

Br! ~:-ILnImookW

00. of the "'~r before Geml~j1y war, Aim.

i fI

eueouon

in

\'I>~Llld

Ill"Ocoo!:J.ly pla.y

suuservreru

ro the a rmy

B.::rlb..~,

Gilrin.g's 'l.').{.'S,. the lAlrt\\-affl:' but In the Ned i rermnea 11.,

ccnunucd ror opcnnjoru i":'!ie.!1:C'tlrorpj and scored

LI1-c-I.lIfl\, ..~ffe would still have rrccdcm ilgaiJ'~1 Git:;.rJI!,lf, ~·I:)h,l X K.a~ l~m.ferocd hom

and sc planntng

and Crete Norway

-il~

.:!IIIXHemi.jj1

1.'!fg.eI;S Ihe- ~ii'botl'l-C sosces. 0'

they ~J1c-cii!llized ill .LI.1l ti-~!1IpIJin!:l operauons

thdt n~1 j.1.IC«SS M' >C1lpp-1illi ~h~:).f(t.jji"~ ca-ner I-~MS mJj,W~I7M .0.11. IOli]1nl,.!~ry. 011 -6 April ]9-1 L, II-hilt- IJrt.1JiH"ZIHolls \~-crC' sri!l umk"rwil.Y for Opcrauon Ha"'Ja~, 1i1-1!" Germ:m~ jnvadcd OO\~ G -ecee (OP'C'[I.~iOl1 MdTiM) ~l1d tll..go:s·I~\·i.jjtOjX'taliOil 5l1'tt,N, wh!:!re a ,,01..Ii) IJy .a :srou p or milllar)' emcees had lotJplro the rcgiml:' that had acceded to Carman demn nos :mll jcmed ~h\: 1'rii)il!niU~ 1\1.>Cl,General Arc:hiba I!a waven t1LL<l aJrNI . oespa LCt"I:Ni

.ar

an I:'Ap<ernt1onary 'Ju

terce. I~

called

'\-V"' Force aner n'i

its commander

Llcutcnanr M~dC' AU!iltaliall

Genera! (Brigadier I)jVi.s.iOil

Henry li .arold (Miljllr

C.f.r-UliN,r:i~~fhnN

moo' wtbcn,
Oi\ilsio.n

-roilSiS~ed of the
GeilE~'.al
[(!"\II.'

usn

IS~ ;.\tmo-u,C'{I
a
1'1;(j

Chil.rri ngton) Zf:tl.a!ld the Axi~ botll

and I Ill!" I AnZil.'C Corps (MajOr 'v[il-Qkily)_ 111 iii

rtfectcnen 8N'i1atd short

t Ge:nGri!ll Slr Thomas

!B!;tm-I!Yl. ~...I th U111!" N!!\., compol(!.lI!"ly reversed /ltIim: Jt~.~

J~ibt,g)
,,'DI!"k.5: Cermen

6th

GE:["l,."t~LSk lven yugmla

lntervonrlon Llleir

fuII1..lll{!~ 1nC'area in
ia, a([lI u need Hiillg.!i

[10(1101'1..'«1 ra ridl)'

11,(,AIIi~ 10 evacuate

forces iltiC'r {yI."('-IfU1\[lillg

M:ijOr GC'flC'ral Ri~lluru ALrf1L'd Stu nil escape

m.u~.1J(m:Jl"t'<'r.m~'br

.sIIJ C~il7{J tJr.r

.... iII ilml GTI!(!"CQ, \"h!le laid 5~~

Rom mel to Thhml:

had I~LI r1-r'h-l!:dan unex peered Iy 8<111)' Qnoen:'i.h-~ (>C":IPI ulillg 10 [H~
<I nd

out of Trip.olil:il'l If! I"'.!il('

It"II"OU~.l l.Y[(!IUiC.3

:r.riinJiVJGi'Ym;;lr.llr.ifoJrJrIY ~11ifl.'II'I!'rJr.r..ri:'IL11t~i!hr IJowlr/) rr''PI"ms e... h;l(,ml thrlI tr.rr"~~ljl~

wCmf.di"'UU1IJ('rNJr1r

O'O"tl1 i1Qr In the process).

il.

tl1 reatenen

on IQ the SU~.l. 01 n.• I. n

~mrt)'

of

to come, «vo ()a!ll.a.Ll-OllS. of purarrcopcrs

under ~t1.\

..... 'fI. ll:sed to i:'.apI1,11~ C .• -il1'Q:ul bJL-d~ 'Over deep gorge di"i-ti iJ\i!: If"lC' Pclcpon
11.{'St

the

Corinth

Can.a1, 91IV<l11:I'\\';"I,)' hnt J;"I,n 'il.rm.lS":;I r

rrulll

the Cf1L'tl:. mu i.rtl-il.rttl,-il n.d one or th~ mafu

'Il,~r4rJ'rt>-!!~I<J!icJ.Jrr..r~tlll.r • IN I. 64.~rdLV Thr;irbr...rl UIJ.rigI)~ ru-OJ]IH]

'J

AIRBORNE

routes for AUh~d forces retreatlng south, The bridge was guarded bya 'dose bridge garrison' of Brttlsh troops and 'had been set "for dernolttton by the Royal. Engineers. The Germans hesttated over launching the operation hut O[H::e decided, executed It with charactenstlc speed and Ilexlblljty, The BrUishwovce ",raj adequate for the task of detendtng the bridge,
with a reinforced battalion concentrated gum and a flew .light tanks, on the sooth side of the bridge supported In the lnfroductlon, there
b,y

AA

As, mentioned

are typically ,two during:

alternatives

in an airborne nperation, strongest

One is to land the troops some distance horn the paratroopers tc form up and assault the

obj'f!cUves'l avoidingthe

part of the defences and mlnlrnlzlng disruption

the Iandlng Itself. This. method abo allowsthe

IGHR
1141D
28, October Itallan Ifc:u:ce!itnvade Greece, 2,3 Novre:[nbef'RomanbJJ

1,61ApiF'i1

$,anljevo Ialls b) XtV] Panzer Corps, C~umrhu] g~vles Genera] Gr~ecf:. S~:rA[chiba~d. WaveU

17 ApliIi".il

peJrt1l:USSim1 toMthd ra"~ IW' Fotce lrom German armtstlce wltb Yug,os1a.vi3comes

rains the Trlpartlte

Pact
No, .2U

13 nie.cemb~l' Adolf Httler Issues War Directive

lnto effect,
V\larDirective No. 28 covering 'lJlJIE:~' proposed [uv~sion of Crete, Operation Maknr~ts lssued,

'tJiutHl'.lirng the planned .inva:s:ion of Greece,

Operatio.n iWt11H~A. German troops. 'ente'r Roman~a.

18 Dec.em:beJl' Wax DU'E{:Uve No.2,] Is issued, coneernl ng

2.n J-\p:rll

Gemun bti.dge "town,

2nil1FWJscb.lm1j
OV'~f

a~r

.Rl'!g'i.nH.~nt assaults

Co'rint-h Canal and ca,p'~u~es the

the' p,lanJned auack alii, the Savi,e~Union, Op e:rati(l[l Barbr,frtJ'ssa.,

,2'7 APFU

Athens fulls to Gierman forces.

'Kabil'lllaj fa.IJ5~Ge.[JlUU'l orces rea ch the sorurthel[f] coast of Greece ..

,2g APIU
1

,1141
E MalFcb

~ulga[ia [olns the Tripartite Pa'ctand German

Uno PiSprn:epare to enterthe

30 April

country

Allied evacuatton ends. :Som,e25/000 AUted troops bave been evacuated te Crete and so
WaN',eU appoints

~d.ltishExp'ed.itlonaJy ~F'Oflce'pn~p'tli.fe:s to enter Glreece.

).rla~or General Be![ti,3rd of

Yugoslav~.a.si'gns the Tripartite Pact.

AnU"loyaJist

lIlUtty

Frey-berg tncommandthe g3ldson. The Luftwa:ff~ starts tts bombardment

repudlatjon

ooup In Yugoslavia leads to the of the Tlipaltite Pact,

of Yugoi.davi.a. of

Crete,
.2nd Ba:Ualion~ the' tetcestershtre Re'gJIiIJJ~'Ilt arrives on board the cruisers of Fome fB~ whUe heavy alr attacks OITur on Herakllon, M,tdem~~Souda I,a,y and, Hanja,

Wal D:ilJlectiv~Nc, 25 ls issued outllnlng

Opera.Uo:.o Stf"~fe" the lnvaslon Germens launch 'Smmumtane.r)ustnvaslons

Yugoslavia, and Greece, and the Luftwaffe

be.glF1!liaim'bombardment of urban targets,

Ai) raids ccntinue

on He:rakUon and M;at~m.e" whUe HbA.S Gl'e'fJ8}de landsthe 1M Ba.tta.Uorll,

A:rgyU and Sa'tberia.nd ,f-']]gl1.lal1ders «1\&5 I)

'1 Ap:rU

including Belgrade, 0pM2JlionL 8l~'rb,Qm~s(J:pOI5:~po:~,!!ed U:!ltl~

at Tymba kw.

22 )l:,U:1e. The Me'~axas Line 'bm,ken by

10 April 12 April Getman mountain IWOOpS. }\xis forces capture ,Zagreb. Be~,gr,ade ~al~s to GerfrIDan troops,
.2:0 ;r...day
a"j@3VY

bomblng of Heraklion and .Mah'!!'m,e

It A:priJ

X.vrlt G€birgs Cerps peni't;!tta.t~s. the 'M:o:unt

O~ynTPUS defence liun~arndtalu~.s K;atedni. Gen~Jalm~lor Stud.ent subm,Us; In lsplan for the

precedes the landing of paracbute and gnde~ troops around l\tMa~eme ,(08JJObrs,), in Pri:son
V,alHey (08.]Shrs)., to! the east of R'f!lhyrn,noll
I(H5.. .5ht5J and around 1
]B):r

~nvasion [I,t Crete to R,eilcbsmarschaU

Goring.,

Heraklkm (r7.10hr~JI., nrngbtfaU, none of U-'1lefour rnatn

82

CRETE 1'94]

ob~ectivf'S has been t~lk~." and the pa ratrcopers have only established a Urm

reserve and form a n~w~ine us,jng; 5th NZ Ib.lga.de., nAF attacks Maleme ,ai:rfild,d and destroys some 24 j u 525 for the loss of seven aircraft. Tile Germans bn~a.Jkthm:ougb tb~ H3J[tiaGalatos Une and Allied farces wittlidra'~r towards Soud a BllIlY, Preyberg decides, on a wUhdrawal tm, Sp'i]u..don srn thatthe troops l can be evacuated by sea. Il..~y,force' a rrlves In S ouda Bay. W'aveU 5-ignaJs ro Churchill that Crete is no long:e1" tenable and the Ch.i.e.r~, f 5a.alf.~ order the o evseuatinn of the island. A new de.:f,e]}I[(!! Hue ls formed, nicknamed 't.2n:d Street', just to the west o'f S,r)i1Jd~ :B~y. Th1e Ge'rmans advance, 'end,n;:Hng Force Reserve near Hanla, but ""l OO~hG,ebirg~i:ijager Re,giment is stopped '~n lts tracks by an AIUed counterattack, AUied 'forces, start to wltho_T3,W to Sphakio[]i. Evacuation starts In. earnest "dth FO][lce 'I~ h1eadillng for HetrWdion and FDOC~ 'C for
j '

pedm~te.r at 'M,a~eFne. W I:th pressure b~:tildwn the N e\'\f ,Z,eilland g~

.22nd h.. ltfantry 'BattruUcm.withdraws, F~U~l(I~!ishmg ]10'7 tit) the' Germans and I-'un thus, the ahofleM. At dawn, 'the JUJ S1;, ca.:rrying Klf'Y~ mantis on the western edg'~of the airfield, co'JI1,f[r:rnl'ingtl1Lf 211'e,a ls free from directasrll lerv fi re, JiEir.1 fo:r"Ce.me:n ts ~

Hauptmenn

ale droppednear .Hera"kUQiQ., yrgos and P to the west o:fM,ru'fme airfield, and ]I00th Ge'biii'gsjager Re~ul,ent starts to arrive I"] 7.00hrs). "rbe AIUes start to organlze

a counter ..a~ltack;"wbilli,e t.be.~o:yam Navy

intercepts a 'COllVOY o![ GRe.l: vessels call'rying elemen ts of 5th G ebl r@:s,Div:i slen, . The AUled counter-ettaek m,ana,ges to reach the eastern edge of lihdeJne a.il:diil?]d by

around 07.30hr5 bul lsfcrced to, w.i,thdiraiW"

The AIImed,posUiun d,eh~'ri[ua.te:s,aud: the

rroops are forc~d to

withdI8illltll

'to a.shorter

~.iJle',l~ea:vin.g lVla1em:1! in Ge]]]JJ~n til.an,m,.

:Spl.1.atlol"l. UaUaJrn troop!!!; of Ums,'m.:bl.

SOUle

aCClJpiY

~h[ol! rea a

1m']Ptisen Va LLey, around

Herakllon and

JRefhymno:o, t.be paratreopers are too

weak to break Ullnughth~ defenc'~ ... 3rdPa,:Usch~Jrm i~ger Regiment in 'Pr[sQ[J, Villey sends out a de'tacbment under Ma1o;[' Henmenn tn 'rh~ hope of linking 'UPI w~th IfJomes m,{)f\J"ingea $'t~;ro\m M3i~:el]le. Thf Gem-mans (J()ntlnue tolly.in
lI'erunf{Jl1J1ce.ments.~, wbl['e AUied forces Vf:!thdraw 30 May

700tirOOPi embarkat ,Sp'hak~,on~ while 4;000 a:r~evacul.t~dbom He.vakUon aJtb,t)t1:gb liM'S .llf'perial is,5unl arid Foree ~B~is bOil1rrub~d~:u()ughllJut the da,y~"fine t AW:ed re:arguard COnUn!Ll,e'!; riO' carry out an orderly wHbdl:rll\iVall, now pursued by lOOtb G~]rlbg~'i'i'a.,ger .~e,glr111enj[. ermans G

norw contl()lB'ertakUon lad RetlrtY1JJtnon.

0,000 mel1J art 5phaldan 'witb Porce let en routeback to Crete .. I\.tt.a.1.emes bombed i ,a,g.ain !by ~be RAE R~argu,ard ts no'w only a. few mites from 's,pha[d.on.
IFttrUlll~revacuatlens are ca:rded out btl' Perce ~DI nOlm Alexai.ndtUJ, nnJJ.a:rll:.St 'OVE.IF

to a new lli::u~:[Jea:r Galates, as they are tn d a:nger ,0,' beln g !O'Ilflllsnted. R~m.njjorce!nenba.Ie di[OP(H~dsouth-west of JeraIdloI1 .. SSth and IDOOth 'Ge:birgsj.S,l"f!r , RegAflu'nts start to p'.fobettl'i! AJIHt~d front .~ineDl'!ou:mi Galat6~. 15'~B,aUal~.ol1, &SH startsarrlving A art Heraklien (m~y'to find 'tliJJ.ejrp.[fogre.ss bkllc:kJed. tarter that daYJ.the 'wes,j~:e~tl .group'
of German parateoopers under Major

Force ,jC' bef,ole dawn with some ltSOO' men

le'mb3J.dting. M~I.i;nr General .FreybfIgle.aves,

by' Stmdedand [Iyin,g boetwhtle Maluor General IEdcWeston rernelns in command

Schu]'t2 .ma:r('b~ east to, loin Up' 'with! tlle remal nder of Ist F~H1s:chilml jag:cr R~gim!ent. AtaJQund dusk a German attack develops l/o,wan::is Galatos, Am AIUed coumer-attack ,on]~lpaJtiru..ly i[1['!'stCHIIlS, tbe ~ilUit'lJ.nOOI,,, and it
is 1d.~lddllecl'to wiUloraw 4th NZ B,rwl¥lldeinto

on Crete'.
] JUllte-

force ~D~ conducts the fiLnill 'f!Va,01I2I,tiOl1.

w~tb 4,000 mien em barking at Spbakion. 'he renta.i.run,gAilUed l[to'feeson Cl'!f't~ ICil:piW1~te with W~,ton \ea'ri1Ilgf.~r Egypt
1

en ,i:llf.~y:ingbo!i!t.

AfRBORNP.

OIlJ.j"-'t:livl.!' good order, and was 'hC' procedure LlOOPLOO Operuuon Mmkct Gafl/ell- th-ein '01' Anthem :!Maull Ii'l 19.,,, (sec pp. 2.4S-9J.). rue <IILem;u rve 1:5. drop 1he para troopers ns close to 1.0 ~h~lr QbJec."o.e!)S ~bleIf! oKl,~'1 LO m.L'dmlz,c surprtse nnd Q .... -erwhefm th~ cI~f~"de~ bcrore 1b~y can ~a(:1 effec.h'~I)', casualtlas The latter TIlls approach clOM rlsk ~m.il.ter dtsruptton and hl:",i]v!e_r \\Thi!1! the IJo1T~lroopi!'r} aru ,itlll vulnerable.

method Will chosen for the .jJ~u~t OJt ,rLC' COriJuh Canul brid~(!. !!ally on the of U Ap,til, once U\(' close air suppcn pocnrfee !he defenders, the' German of rxu.1d1!)l~ enaoeers, 10iKl.ed rn DFS 2JO guders, I_,']n~ at enher end of 'h'l' bridge, t3.avll18 ~i~cI the br'Idg,e 1~e)' ser IQ ,"'or'k on tne demottt ~11 cherges, They were roIi:Q\\'i;{1 mlnul~ I.LI M' scrne 200 Ju ."-2 tran~porl ter ~iocr.il ft U1.:Jt droPr'l~ 1..".01banalfcns Qr p;J.I"iI'rool'M!~ one all each end or the bridge_ TI1(' paratroopers quicld)' ovcrwnelmcd 11111: tII:-k-n'llCi"s LI(l(Or:J ahon but :5Ji..LJIV re. I (I almost the I.;,'lM Cit !he battle, ill £Sri tcu aa [}oro~ g-un fired on the engineers on the bridge a 11;d! "CLu;}liY lO!J'l:hed orl some d Ij,OOIlPe<:1.oo e-.'(p~l~ \llhl.o11 :5oeI"Loosly d nmnged tbe structure. This 01;\11 ff Ii. m~d trQCiPS north or Ihe o IJ~ who ~ro ~Lr~U~J1tiy cnprured. hrln.g!ns 1:o1.LI1 Arrlcd ~C:51j1 GK"t:CC' to ever J 1.0(.(1 men. However. SOnt1.!'18,000 were e-v ucuatcd to. Crete and another 2:3,000 o ..C'rll'l.lallir(!\;lde tli('ir way to EgJ·pL b)" vunoes means. Tile AHi("S I.OSI ILlI'gC' a arnouru or eccipmene (ilmos~ 200 a.irC'l"ilh, over 100 tanks, some 400 iUlillelj' I~('(H,. 1,.800 nuclune-guos and 8-,000 vehlclcs. Tot e~ German casuerues in the Yui!:OSI,Wand G~!-:' C'.;!mJXI!gn;5ilTIlQuntW to 11.000_ 1"'tIe oecupartcn of these two counules would prove a mi1lor ccmmmnent in terms or men and materiel nlX'tkod: fm Lilt ~I of the W<!Ir_ \'Vlth the IJ.iJ.I kiln Cilmpaign at an end. the ccueudcwn

mcmtng

nau

\I';l1'g"J.,,ud

usn

started

to 11;('Oil]r stratcgtc

uSC or utrtornc

forces

ill lijS\OJ}', M cpcrauon and Lhel,

IluL 1\"'OOld prove

to IX! tom

I.he- Fallschlrrt'Lj.::igtTS

most glo.nouQ:

actaevemem

tJ!li mate <I.oh'nrolll

Opposing Iorces
Allied .forces
TI1~

ba ul~

for Crete

I~"M etmost

~X>i;l'1.ls'vely an Iman try t:Jllng pl.LIc-cqutte inlhe support, wCilponry artillery urine,

iI ff-ah

orten

fo\J:s,itt

.ilL v~ry 1;1~ tl'DClJl~on the Uli~ in the form of

qual1(!"~. witn did

hand-to-hann of their them -romplcleIy

combat hcevter

f~uently.

The iUlkr..l

isl~JHI rlil;d lost mucli

C"<Jliip.LIi:£,n GrlX"Ct • .an.d: whil(' 'Or il was, iJ\ the main. Ihe A.lIles 113<1.o atm t

nctlenvc >'

wil hour

.,'lilll-,'!.ioc~f. gll~s cnern Invasfcn l:t<!lttlc_ Nine thell h~vy

and -ro-au.a.l utillery before It g:)!J'i~(I being

oil

TIljj. meant

to

derea • .aJI on

root h-old. rather

th-an cvercornt hac

n.g ILin .a corwenttonet were p~nt

Millild.:J

'I' 1,1.nkj. rrcm handicap

'8' S-qUillr..lron, nh R0)'31 Tank Rq;jmcllt

me iSlan(i" IhIL dcspue 2pdr guns,

it

he.wily

-iirmooINI!"

they

oltly

anncur-plcretng were also the

scrtccs

, ...nen e-ngagiJ-)g tl1 ~1:50 prone t(l term

t

i.n((ii'Ltty, There

I(;II,.I'-Ids tot 16 Mb: VIB

The 1.a(;1.;. or guns

Li)('I"k.5: 'C' Squadron, or WTvL-I;(!"n North I

I] rcn

th{!- Ki.n,p Own

1·luSS3f.5.,!lrmed

w'llh maeit i ne-guns. proper mob! le reserve.

111~~.ehad seen

Mrl-C'oiI.a.1'"!(I were

to meche nlca I breakdown.

<I

trucks or

gu n canters

rnnde 11 rll fflculf .iI.rtil[-try on

AlillOSI
captured gum

inc ol~l}' OOnVCl1tiona!

Itt' i~I,lIIId were

IYIC'3.4

nattan

751~trt'L HtM

by

the GR'e~,

ano tour wnh

2:pdr :Jntj-till'''' gLLn~. Tile- arui...aircrnft loa cOLli5t~1cerence gl.J1l05 "J'id -II,,), (3

and ooastnl

annlery

waa etso acme

...l1r1t meagre,

2_0 1l.N).Vf

anu.ebcert

{.l]i n) <!I!1d36 light

iiIInH.iiIIlrtran guns. (-IQmm).

CRF.n: 19-U
.A~IJzy/1,11,

1II1Ll1'wm JiI'01vl'IJgIll sol!lJ«

(!ltr3iar'rJoIt";rhCi~J'.II'r,d 'i~li.Ir,

~rt'iiT,

G'r.lr(l~~,

J,l'r(ur1r

~rofJr;rt1N'Gm'-!lfo"i'lIIIrulon.
rJtsplttrJ.It"til~lo:'NrCi'tii:i;

,~"Jrbfft. lJIt" lrQJPir<J1 IiJr(fivrrl ,!;(!IiIiff' dilmo:g'~" tilif ~Ntirl dtJr'IrJg 111'1' Ifn~I':1J'tNr !ni1lMflt'Jt lIr¥JNI?Jrbro.rJ;t!f'Ij,1),jrtlrlt".J
{frJ.lnWi'hJi\in;dr.uirlji,!,iL'

batlk. tA,i't'x.:itIil'tt" l!.lmhrJ

1~,IJA.,,11n2,F}

WL"IC'

The Gcrmn n Jorces ..... nanny I>C'U('-I hOI~~'('-I. ThC' lil!i.l Lly armed anbcmc troops ere off. ~!.Jp~ 10 be retnroreed by~. but or the 1hr~ tliJItlllll5 -oon~ln!l: mos. of .hl:
and ill 'I."OIIlIJ.iJ.fIY 'rom ..rid ltttercd wlth

.a1Ulkry so

RoY<l1N n "'Y.l nod the Otl1'C1

oI;J<I

."''0 aborted.

.:rLC' .5 th Parucr

Di""isiOil. the' l'ir~t only "'1M small number

1\'iI:5.

IJ.adl)' mauled und

by the 1'II';:ij. l05mm

;1.1

th,jit ~

11~ (21 MtIo}'l, • he 3 irli~ld m

.il

i\'f,'] I<:me

tercd

wK'Chgi2

that

of 75mm

rNlJ'iJles~ guns. 3'mm

and 50ml'11

!lIf!\i •• ;jji1!:::

and 20rnm

aflLi·ain::t.:!n

~UI~Sever reaeneo

tne GC"rmai'1 ~iI'OCtpS, Where she German forces dw ha\l'(! a mater advamage O'o'oC"I tile ALlit'S "'.l~ tee hiSll pecportton of eutomattc "'EJ.P'OJl:l. th.31 both the!' paratroopers .iI ncl moun t3iln LWOP~canted, tucse 'I'Io'(';2JpClfIS, SU4.'has It'ICO 7,92:mm MGJ.J aria 91'1'11'1'1MJ 40 sub-uracnmegun, it'll: 19IIti!'r bdng t;iLn11X1by one In fOOT pararroopees, proved to be VE!I)' i,J~M II"! ue ctosc-quaner I'i&lltin;!!, • MI developed. Tl'H!' millior:it~' of men on both ~itk"S. ho ..... ever, were armed fl convenncnal 001t-cceon .iUth .'Ij. the .3-03-i 11 Short M:)6:;JIll ne (.ec..Ei~ nol:ld
1

,,fl.
OJ

unes.

(S1ILE)

7 _'9Zm m Milu~er by

K<!r98~,

wbich

hiUJ: bruaal

Y s.i m

U2Il

chamctertsucs,
~JO~'fjl i OJ

These even end,

were

~IIppteraercco

h~fi(l grenades

and

~.,9l5.

such as the 9mm

;M:

ng. ,,38 Smnn &

\\"(iJ$ll!',

wesson ami 9m m FOO LLL,gI!'r, Thn GJC(!I.; unns \~"(!fl!in as had a state,

perhaps
!he

915mLiony GJ them had l.os. their personal ..... ('LI~'1s.. eases, even their boots. In fly case, their [l'rtndp.ll
,jl

well

as U\('-ir hctmcts

ill some

srna II a rm ,,'3iS

oul(l.!i.~ 6,,,Smrn

~hn.nIL('Jtcr-S(fwJtiluCJ

Ml9OJ.

Drll1sh
By the Urni!' Nevcrthctcss.

of

Ope-anon

Mffirul',

G!l::)~ Bri ltloln hed been a L 11~.,l' ror cxpcrtcncc.

som-e-

20 momhs" many

ruanyof

the 'moils on Cocle still ILICb!tI<lily combat rectu! ling 19J9"

.il

ALthough

men

hild

gone to ~he

oWocs

i III i1'!OOi,3t~ly,']nee M.;3.5f!'S ulu i~'1;nL!mLOC:~m;:u1]' JLLn had been told to wai t for tbcl r offldill i.11 Na-:"",';:iY, 15e1g'i'llm;:in<! tw\\'C"Io'oC't, c.a]!-up paper}. Ft'ailCoe',.[Jj.11"t1las NQrul

Dut cu :3 September MriCil.Uld Creecc.

number stjll exlsted

Some! h,a,(I gLliJL-OO expesence and there

in the figluiil~

a CiKIll!of T'CS11!1V15t~ prof~IDn..illlJl1M'l.'ilrJ~liII~ iIIml

partlCl,LI,"jjly among uic ....... CO'S. TItoC'tact remai;,[loo,

tl'QlJoP5 Crole!', !ndudlns on those ~rvll18ln

11t<i1a

MI~'L'IJLtiaJ

number 01

me

the Inr2lntry, \\"ere'hostllltIi!$OfIly'

cO'n:iCdpl~ who

AIRBORNE

h,nl \'i,'~itcrI1'll'ill1 rn ixed i('('Li.rI.gSfor till· papers oftltt!r.:. -vcrc j u~1 i.I~ mcxpeeceecd, m.i:o;.tu~ or b:.i'lOI'lfI~C"

10 li.I!ld

OJi

their

docrrrun.

Sor'R!: or 1l11"ir jUlllor .'.

rtC'j'h out of s.a.mlhu~\ aIlll unued ,\'ith LC".xUx.'IQk enuuutasm and apprehenslcn, (i.olh lhl!: \\'0,1,(1 W!)r5 wem someth Ins or an ,1.l_lIeH,l non tor Porll.ll n. For Ihe I~SI tWD cen tunes. she had rna! nta i I1I!C:I n srnn!l but hi8,h I >' I1mrl~iOmil .1rilly deslgnod Ior cQIQIli;a1 wanarc and tho d{!-fi!m-e or thl' CIIII)irl.!'. Both gloWJ confhcts required Britain to r.i.lI)ldly 'l.!"XI)'m.;Jher anncd forces nnd fight LIeonnnemar power wiln large, capable arid well. '!Xj'LIjPi)E'()armed forces tll;D.tdirectly thrNHened th!:S<."Curhy or 111~home ijl.Ji1d:5 themselves. This expa nston rucaru th.l L for ,1. peelod of II me, the ~nf.l nl ry cou 1(1 g~ner.lll)' be d~r'llX'd .~s 'I:nHU.lsl!)st III;; nmateurs". Thls \\'a~ 11!".5..5. appucn ble to the rechnlcn! I radea. who bacl the Il rsI
OlIW (I

cnotcc

or rho bl!"Ui!"r-edlKi.lll'd or elcctrtcut inral'l try IlfC::tC! drawn wotk~r5:), Boer

couscnpts who rtom

.i.lI'Hli

these serve

with

iI

IHO(t~~ionill

trade.

wch

as

rucchuntcu! tJ nvcrs. Tile {such

eugtnecdng,

rouitl

as tllgillCC'rS, ~S5!5~';) U'50, nd r o and were unprepared M army

Si,gi'l:iJJtrs, ~'LIJt[ICrS or OCCui)iU i.Qll~ ""~~

iI.

every

w'}]:k of

lit~~XN'I}L the ·~tved'

\\~re lack 01'"(Kltd(iQ..not

as ~1 i pyntd

!r14:·]udlng -c1~rk;5..1nd shop mO!l!nut,I.IQ.n thty

oaen only

ano r~';::1

pll~':::;IIlly
confuston renl(it~bly

lLnrlt :i'i'500rcsu! L of chmnk 3

exerctse,

hiSh ILgh1i:d by I he

war,

]lsydlOlogi~all)l.

ror I hi:

or the biJ.tt!r"flC"td, 1:11,1 also fur Ir,C' CO....i)IC'.1I: l routine

Lire, and tC'rldC'd to be

contcmpruocs
Thl: basic ",hldl II conststcd platoon all

of bottt omees !)fld regulatjons • .Beyond uur, 1W'W'(!vt-I, IJ\oC'Y pt{Ne-d adaptable ;z.noi;! !9.15 !l.iI(l been mOlllde<t true a f(i;m~'(!!)bte tlg,jHifig reece. by
(lghtl:ng un i t tn most case nomtnutty ~IQ. uuee of 1he .1rmfea of I his perjod rorulsteo platoons 11l<.', were on Crete, '~'.ilSthe in fllnlry bal t:;llnQ,1l.. ro1nks:. ri fi.{!o J!adl 1).::111 or

In the llrLthh

oi
nnd

2.2 officers

and four

757 Nelli and other rtflc l'"omIJi.lniC's,. each

or n h(,!i.I[tQll(iIlcrS" :i support

co mII)u fly :utd l"<l;;:h

co mli) u I1)' il'lClu(];i.r~ an W<l~made ill r~ul ry r~im('ut

a SI,JP]XIi'~ secuon

11,1) r an ~IQ Lilld Ihrt.'t: scctjons. o

Dr 1("11men.

wnh
ilUo

Bren guns.

Till!' ~}<Iltilliom,

in

peaceu

~('I~erally me~I~' I -11 h Lancaster Corps) the much

alnaJgtlliia\{'(] Voiif!mlj. ,']rtill-wy In fan1

utrcc-banatlon was 110 15i'Llj~h a couple or Thl~ orislm!i!!y the IH.ild:. Banaliuu In \\'Ith 21 were on

ibrijLld(;s rOr cpcrauona

iI rmoueed

1 1I~, ~nd

N!,th PLl~L of n III ree-brfgade 8rl&ildl(!r ChapP'!"I'$

dWi:s..iOil. There

(li"i:SI.ofi.;:i1 otl!:afliZiJ.liOil81 steuctvru (orm:tt!OQ5 of • he 2nd tst IkU.aliol'l, ccnslatcd {aetuall B.iJ uanou.

«ens,

ry

Rrlg;ade.

the York and

Ri1J.irnen t; 2nd

B.iltlililon,

W~lch; ami

uic \v.clclt it('gimerlL ,j(j tlI!:'S ~..oy... d thl: lsI

TM'y were jDi.m·d by the I~I Ranger Jn Apiil and

I nc 9L1i aeuencn.

L.Netsltuhire rormattcn Major created cceslsted were

r:i:COgi.ffiCOnl, and of Ihl~

eeuouen.

Ri rt-c-

by

Llie znd

Bill tLiliOfI, Iho£!" mg,hl,:iJl(let.s that

Mg}'U !)1'I0 Smll~rI~fid

M.:t}'. U'lfol'nll"!:)t~ly, the i~!ilnd before

C.h.ilJlJX!I's i)rl!;a[!i!o tacked

Wi.ll. \'cry VilCiJ.]..;

of the 511pP'O"flU5L!~IIJ' essccreted tr.ansl:>Drt, 001 tfm IroQj» i.lrld \\"t.'ll dUJ:; in. O@OitiltiCll a new

~17~ Mid

ill organfc I'o" a'val Base

,'].5

tile Grctt ('j)IIII)"i,gn were Lia.'iimiJI iZl."""!:I, rcsred Mobile B-~Irm~

GC'll('r.;].L li.lic W~LOn's. \\'!)r In fo'l' the or

<!I

Defence
1\',']:50

(1'<'INIUJO) I, fOIii'l1.i!tion It

beILC'" ~:,ilOWfl Ia u::i' in the purpose ccaam!

'vrper

'POKe',

waWm.e

(lr
defence and

pl"O"I{llnS a bauatlon

ground

detence

for naval

In~ ••111.1tlOJ!lS overseas. in F(iJrlliHY

hrigiHl.'e, two <Illtt-atrcrart

reg! men ts, 01sen n:hlis,h t regl mont, Britaiu [51"41 but of ~IOi~ a rl;d S'LIC:l: Canal as a result and

ccnsuucuon
tOI~

engineers ot

oi ini<rrll.ry. nl1..''Y ldt the CilIX' of Good omQ21d~ ddellcc guns. theatre. were some

10 lii;~C uic long the Lllrn~lf~ equfpmcnt bring could 3.7in heavy

rol!.~ vta
\\T.U

the butld-vp
'IllQ:j.

In 1111:Medtterranean 10 Crete's

DII~ tc an !)dlminj:s.troLi'LI'C error, ~II M.IlI'QI 4ifl 2,000 men and a fC\\1 exne

or Ihelr

fn ]1:-1ti!':S"tlnll: Im,1~1{] or [gypl gfvcn rcrnporary

Genom!

weston

;;:O<Ji:.:tLiI !l.1JJi.:. arid

arul-atrcraft

W(,su::l1~ was.

cDrflu'"ILin,J oi tlie

CRETE

19o....

hl';UI~L MuriSQIl wnen ".j]Jl~etred oHlo:r

ne fI~\\' to Crete expcrtenccc DI\·hlon.

In March

.(I11~d

4.f

hiS men

b .... Ih~ command VC,

"'[I.~

or ute

10 the

more

~f;,;jor Gcm:r.LI Bernard

lit

Frcrl:M!-rlil.

Commandrng

New Zealllfld

rhe end of April.

Australlan.s
,\p.lfl from the Beltlsl1, the inf3ntry on the island and Greeks, wa~ drawn veterans.
L1H.'')"

from three differed as

main from

connngeras the Briti.sJ'I beuer reo.

_ the .\U51rt1IiMtS, pohy.:.i(::llIy .ilUlhoril)' 'sfr',

New

Zeilliln.oerS

The AlU-trilliiuu

In b...ing an eu-volumeer ·

rorce o1tlid combat an ouicoer

I'"ell .,_~ mLt(,h

Ilt and used to

(11Mli lhelr

IHe, Wllile
in uantc.

Flr111sh ccuruerpans. :,um)"

oftl:m .1<1dtessi .... orncers Sil'l'lll.arly defence Lh~ Cilil~l1 duties

we're 1:\·('11 more contemptuous ot s ,':50 'rlliHC' t')lher tha ....

10 Brnatn, I'ustmlla had only In September Perce
UClltJOIl

Ihl!')' \1'"C"rC f(,l1i-iJrk.abolydi~djilinN.l

5.1]};)1I pre-war regular ",omt,aI111s

bu,

e \'er)' lnege mrtltta, • rocps 10 horne 10 .ilrl!d

Mjli~.jHy Gill),. bu ""I)Nlal rhe

l~olTI'. rem lea I

t

II m ilcd I Ill' use of these Tnt'

I!;U9 Ihc i!:O~rnl11~llL C"oliled {Of volvrueers

j)"{'r'o{',l~.

r(lom, OIn A~L~trilIiLlll

i:'1'cnw.'l'''r

10 serve
oj" the

scspcuse was rremeucons. DW'jj.ioili Isr h:wlnl'l 1'940, OCOCIlformed

H'~!'''~ III

6t~.

7th,

j)th ~J1'1.1 9Hl IMoliHty (the

.an\! a :s.11Q.rt-liv'l.-...J lsI ,i-\rmoun.'tI World hf;)r I) began

tJ.t~Il.g

Oi~·isioll. couunandcd of

The tJ~'

2nd/UFo

dnrlng 10 As

deploying

10 the' ~·lldd'e

re«
Cou

III JanuLlry
11 tries

Llcultll.jlI1'

Cenerat

the firsl formancn Sir 'rnomas Blnmey.

181h Brigade moot-IIIX! P.1M or the jlh initially them

move
21

the

61h Dfvtstcn,
GIi'Wl,.1l

result

of the

rnvaston
10 asstst

the 1.0\\'

in M ..I)" 1940, the 171h,

was diverted Instead,

to Britain

III Us derencc war I.

:md 'C\oC'rlhJ.;111y became 16th and Iormed

Division On

The rtfll"irHng structure punern.

\W"Qbti_gadC1, the of World baualton b.'lttali.OrlS rrcrn tnc Reg~ments. Fngi.ltl't.'f .. dMslon's tncomptctc

were

me

quad-banatton

but B'a-me")' remodelled thenuctees these ['hl!' '2' brig.ide18th tlrigade. Suppomeg Ubi Crnnp:lIlle<> iIonti-illruMt

on the British which

U1,1!lgullll'

The 1\'\'0 spare

or a 19th Brigade. brigades

W<lSfilled

out by another 21Jrd Ll8N

w·ere rho 2/1s1, 2j2nd M~e1'\lne- Gu:n 8:l1tilllion :2. ArFl_ Onl~' the

and 7th

~Ioctd Mll11ery (l,,1U4;!1Y the of so II was un

,.\I'Iti·\'iHlk l«-"gimclH,

Uht

and 2iht

- 2.JJrd Combat

represemlng -iJrrh'l'd before

the- t.'i!lIIII);}i_g1l~larlt.'tI. and

61h.1\1)~1r,111;)n Dl"I~lon u.gilillSl the nnuans D.[1pOi:lll(....;1:;I5corps Mt[.'"r the IIoriJ!:Mller IJalhn II'e~110 Eg}'pt,
r\lilrll

that went 10 ~I·';H, flrs( In General O'Conucr's trfumpham campntgn and then 21~part CIt ·w' Force In G rsece. Blarney \~"oilShen I romruander and ~·I~jo~ General 1o.~[iJr:-kaytoo.~ .... ,ommilnd of UU' dlvtslce.
in Cyrtll<lk,iJ, Iml
m'C'J

cumpalgn. Vase),.

half of

of 1h.1!" .-1,1 S7 the 19th

r\U~tmtlllfl~

who wenl

~~"1'"reevecnmed to Crete, it.'"1\'il'l.i!: Rerhymnon-

-lIlon:g Will) Blamey commander

nnd r·o'I[I.('"k.'ly, whue .r\u:S-tr.'ll.ian om c 'el'.

uic rcmntndcr Urlgn.oe

(l.l:"f-en-Olng the

GE"I1t.!!:i<H-Ipolil ;S{'C'Wr. cs tile senlor

New ~•• landers

The New l4,!;lIand infallt')'fnen were In some ph)i5ically ways similar ril than to Ih~ir ..\1)'r3l!an \ Urliish cqutvalcnt cowueepans, and used to Nev.' small o.f the
ill

Ix>ing g-CIu.·mU)' bt.1.tcr fed and more

melr

all outdoor life. 'nley differed In their mt.I'Id had never been a penal cojony,
A~Z.'\CCofp5 uandtng iumr 31' Gullipoli In New Zealand

O~rtlOOk and ;\11. however,

ps),c-hology shared

to some extent, as
rradtncns

tne proud

dtrrins. \\'011<1 W~i' I, M, In Aill.lr.'lJja. prior 10 the outbreak scree. as the Territorial Once

utere hiltl only

been

of war In 1939, but thJ.,. \.... backed up as .ag.li.il'L members US were precluded

by a IIlrse mJlUI.1, knm"n

>lIRROllN.

from 2nd

SA:fV11l!;: O',,{,r.5.eU, N(!\\" luland the

hut

hen!' 100•• hoi! gO"i!'mm~nl (fh~ I~. again (its Ixing

catted is.

ror vefunteers

to form

ill

F...xpoclitkillil.r)' Foret

raised durill:t:, "{or1d War I). One:

ccrrccr tinC') Zr'lti Nt."W z.c..jj I';]r'i.d III t.a[llty D! IlisiM. The New ZNi 1;:IJ"1unlan i u II rtough laCb:iI1:g, uic uceutence of the A !):s.Lr.ni,'] IU. loothed I
r~1.I1L .... rhat ,c,n New Zco.;].L.a[ld Divisiclll 1\"QJ.Jld. on occanon. tL~~Jilllly 1Il:,~ 11le !\~l.StJ;)I!!)m. bnyonct charge, once '1:19 on strll:g' Lf 'hey r~l1 th~y in b~1 tic I hI!)' were superbly

Ircqucnny Idcw.. to as f~C' 'd tty were J1ighJ]' mouva ted und p.i'i rade groun{t '.s~ r,fi.~· a.nl;i i
~f1g tT~M~(I unlillrly_ BUL, and musters of • he

\~"VIe

[!I.scl plfned

espectauy till.!' Mi1orj~ in 1-'.I.jJ~"-~'·~ Brig.a(k_ 5th The ex poL'"tlitioniill)'force began forming in September 1939 and .iO(Ii'1 OOjUj:;;LC'd th ree 0' ilifilfll_ry banattons (lSth-lOtll). l'II'hic:n. along w'itb the 4lh Artillery ~~ii11-c-m. ~ company from beth IhoC' 7th M~t;h!ru: G~Ln fl."l tt;tl Ion iHl,{Ii ill} ,i!Lntl·tl)nl:: Regiment, two (;omp;)J!I!es of 2 ~n&i:l1~s and 1"''0 sq 11,.1d m· or Gil'o'31ry.ormed m r ! hi!' 41h Rrlg,utc!o under Rrlga-rl ler F..(IwaKl
Pu111cl. Thm. etemenu ot I he division il1 bCg<I!l ~eljLoyin& to the 1'.'lidtlrto FAist in J.il.IlL)iJ,ry 19"'0,

I!.&YI)Iunu I MiJreJ\ 1941. S-till lilC~il1g us ami ,aiocrafl ~it1\("[\I. 8rL_gildi-tI Ja!!'1!~:!S tlargesr's Sth Bngcde was di'i,,~rtoo to I5rLt~jfLJ a to~& I"fi.tI~ tbe At(jLtil.li:.LLn ~SLh fi.rig.il,d,e.end fl,rlg4l(:lI~r .1\. S, F.1loi;OI1~''56111 8rl_g;)(Ic"S ocpa nu re W3S delayed
bu L it did no' un lte ~s a Jormauon ,,!'lUI A !.Jg\Ij.l 19~o. 1l nrrfved 111:1.1 In ~jme for the Grwl:: earn pafgn. .1 rul 1'Q:5.:S(!~ fl.S thco (lurl
Will

evacuations to E8,Y[J'L meant fK.'YiJcr8 on Crete hy the tim€: 01 Opcrancu

IJlUJllO\{"(] t tic 4th

Idt wit h

IHt·.rtrJr. 011

IJ,rig.jlde~ -oomm:ll"1dirij1 offi~rJ

i ust o\'~r 7.1lOO troop:; hom the d lvtston Itlki,rlg commund CIt IrlC' gumscn. Frt)'berg I"uWd:., to command the dlvtston, rlik
I ..

Ihig,Hli("r

L,

M. IJ'L,glisrock over • tll fi.rJg.'Ide.

G'reece
'1NOi'td W;at U atuned f{lirGreece Of! 2.8 October 19.JO. when .1 \...as tnvaded by tll~ netues, end enceo ns (irH p-J'LiJ-W ltlt the capnutntton 10 th~ G~rm;tn5 on 2" .'\pr'll 1941. The 1.... G~~I.;!i. proud of thefr hard-won tndeperurencc from the Turks In the l8~. have a nerce
determ soldier Inauon
\\I".ilS,

to rr~vtill gtneml

il. The terms,

COU["$(!01 I he: ciiml13iSJl phystca 11'l!..l;{'Ihel b

dcmcnn fat

rated

I h~1 I he GH!"4!'l. better thi1i~

slightly

Ily "11d mcfl tLilly tou.ghcr. somewhm

unmed, margi.nallr natmn eoomerpan.

1M11.1n tnvaalon.
tminins, \\'"JI!r~nor Qrlly better ofWl n taatton.

tcuer eq II i pped,
This
hefps they

rer Jed

and

more rnouva ted

or roaones
I n the

hts
the

to

e:<pll)ll1 the spectacvtar dlrf~n;!n

reversal t 11:11 ern the

ereer

Hercever,

r2l';:00 a complelely and cquil)I.-lcnL

>'

Germans,

who

pri:~.rrtl

menf.jlIL)' and phr~k.il_lly then

Iteuens,

but h.ad tnr better

lC'.aticJSliip

Gr("{'!Ct iii I rLC' 193w: artd 1940:5. .......s IWL a wean hy OOUJLtfy alI1{] cou to "lot affcrd to matmatn its. enure "30.000·m~n army 011 alert, oespne the jJ10'o'OCOlLiOiU 'r.om MI~.i.ili, Thus ~t dld not tx-gl FI t ~III mob!l!lilt!on u n t II atter the 1M Ilil n frreaslon. The Dl!lliorl ty of the'
.lrmy Metaxas mQ"W ~Si!lnSl the" Inv~ding forces \\TIlLLI!:rome 70,000 men stayed IQ rlf!f~nd tht Llno In C'.iW!" BuJWLliiJ or GermiJny initiiIlcd a secondary utti1tk. Ttncc bauaucns me .')I.r~'Kriti' Di~'i~ioll were letL on cme. along 'Wilh inc 8.OO-s~rong Gendarmenc and the t"ler.a.klion G<lorson 8 a~LI)I!Orl. Mter lhe G reek suerencer, KI n.1!:, George n or I he Hellenes \"oi!~ ~.9C!.J:;!I.oC'd t-o Crete ~loflg wfth the remnnnts of the G~k 1'2th ~n(:l:roth lnr~'I1trf D.'VI~om that had ccnrtnned number

0'
a

Dr men

IQ 1iJ.;'lhtillDnw;ide

'W'

Fora!". No prectsc figurc~ <Ire .il\lallabl(!" for the into

I hill W"Cr-C' c-or_gil.flizM. I

LlICiJ[lgsidC' tli(" C1(i.:>tilig i man try bLiI tauons,

J\Umt:PtI 0'

'rt'giffLC'm:f by a llr.tl sh liaison orncer. Colonel G u)l Sa lj,~l)'uty~JOilCS. u L lhey b lot~JJed somewhere 111tho!:reglon 'Or9.000 troops,

CIU!.TE

1'941

l'h .R<>yal Navy

-rne Ro}'al ;-.!','ivy ren' n u 'o':II1 Icrres
IN)tg.i'i "~1:50

IlQ.h thclr

tCLl!reJi 0\'I.'n

b)' tbe 1Ln Ii;!li'l!5a nc respeered In the Mcdttermncan,

by

I he-

GoC'l'm~Il::5o,. who the r.jlll or and

nad

\,'~ry

or

FoUoll'il1&

FILmC'(!. rho ....estern '

A(imit..lI'Y

illz.oo

a.l'LtJ reil~tOnx;:1 iLS forces il~ UU: !h{!iUre nuo tar resp«1"'·l!'ly. or Gl~. hl5
....jjHe'~

eastern

DaWiI LO j\IC!'X<!Il1drl<!land Glof31 ~tl'Jotl-gIc,j]_ljy jllll>Oi~,)11' Mt.".J uerranean Cuflni.rlgh:;!lm .amm!JnUloli jDu.lloCrn oper.a.jOIl fleet reported all(( UUl11liitn hed ('\·31,:1.I:11lo11 'W' 01 i~ilm1 ake:tody ~ll.'l

M.aJtLk. been .ships but

By .... i<ir

the oolindal')l [94

1)I!<i' "C!I!'1l I hoi!' two bel .... CllJ1JliJ1g~m':;.

ns

fI~1j. tho 11101:

t,

;\drnila.1'

caetcru mi'-I!,!',.

dqlOO1.oo hrl.;t

IJoY Uti!' IO$.~ of two destrGfC!1'S. du rlnS

Force from

Uii~ wL6

mcrety a

tj}.!.L~ o~ wbil~ hair their

-vas ro

oeXP'C'l1(1~ Vifl
11"Crt!

:Iotmi)5,l now

antl~.j!ircrJft •ncm to three'111(l~lds Ii,,,:]! III Ml'l.lliIN5ofthr:Mt11

8,Jflo1roiLoN oo!hf

I he .LJ.v.LJ.i1 ~toch \\'ooltl o.ltly bot! iIIblt 10 rcpfenlsh u blc r:11~rko'rps "'as opooeril11orml naval operancns im:n."iIsi.f1J.1;ly hal:;m:lo~

qU.;utl'r.!!· Qp.;io:;:Lty. Thol1: LI!f(I G rcccc .LJ.1i.dayllgnl d

hom

r.\loorl)'

('sp<'CiEilIL)I dLLfin&

IfI~J,"riit

':H~fj', (h~ .0 !he [;,'!iekr tnemJl)' o

!lily b,dOr€! 1he Invasion

;:iI,

00''(:'. "The l.;!Is~or Dunng d~tl'O)'"(!fS,. ollty the with

toe- MF':5- f!ghioers

;!1m! the thiU

been

11~nrri.:.I
f~

irmll'o!',j_i',,1t'(~,qkr

~\'LI1..... n 1.00 1he .

hC,g.lll and en filion of the etrcrun (!fr('Ctiven~

Itoan the center HMS evacua uon. farmlifnMe, the GCOnnilll butueshtps,
""'.jjj

f(ffPNlOirblt' '50011 uQ(tcrmi.r~ r.u[ltl~nghil.lll :si~ crueers I1:'jI1tO~8:nt 1m. three crulsera "1'1(1
se"o~~

tnetr

baule
three

OIII'If" nt.l~mlrt'o~ 1Ji"

(oIrmy,lr {rom Cft'tf'. Thtr (io1Jr11' SpJ~w..,

ami ~nD1h~r:s.!x

~'W oI.,t""" '9.11 "ft ..... tMr,Xo:ililollL'T 1um~ll

1},~..(.I9662.J"

~ml.IJt'IfI\"rJlj'I'Ur>I.~'t.lr~

d('~truytl1.

~j}ffL.Llgcd. 'me lJX'k end some

coesotauen

~oiI~W'_
tib.r,,,,?,.

com·O')lS ""~~ l!,lrncd

!7.ij(I('.I Allied

servfcorncn

WEre e\~ated.

..

AIRBonNE

Axis forces
Fan. ch bmjag or
The cvcrv men or rlte
'til

Flle!;r!r

])I~'hlon

""]10

~Pl!".ilrhmdcd

1ho!! .1~~UU

on

Crete

"'~~

all

~·oILLn.{!(!1~_ rrQf~lon.ll:!o.. le\'"Cl. the)' tnnlnnvc n1;LLI.Q,rity Prance Treaty. generation seevedtn forces welcomed

lou&Il,

phvstcu llv fit

wet! Lmi n('{]j and willl

exrellen L omccl"$ .u ;!Illd Ih~ RctgkLI1\. <lctu;!lIy

I~-ero.: highlY comh.1L \Vhik

1111lC'fl('\'('r j)05511)1'I:. 111~'

disc!pliJl('t] and moll \'illnl and llgNly consnjered snemselves

from th~ (.lmp.llgn~ w~s ling.d)' loa! hell in

N'ICOUr:i&t-'iJ LO uSC' their an eliloi: corps Britain, It was

were now

veterans
ccnscrtptton

In 'Non,oay, Holl.lnd!,

.1n{1 Greece.

in Genua ny as. ~i.gl'lifyil'l:!!, the cud had been C'I1O;:OIJ.~gW

or

ItC' IC'SIncucns reatmc or N;)zl

or 1he hiiloL'(j VoL'1saitte5: .jjJl1.011gS~ }'OlIrl.g!!r thtand 111.1ly f

si;!:!lIOOat the end of Wo,I(I Wil' I. LO"'j}I~]' 10 the Nni

by ~

steady

Sl ream

poroPi!S:)r,JOi)

ltad

1be ~f;)mll!l.'ry had 111.11ntatned

<I

I-UlI(!oJYouth.

F..... ln Iho dark Inter-war "1!11.

)'"o!!u~ tho Gcmran

;um-oo

~.a1..lrc or high-quul

i ty oWa_"T~ i.Lnd NCO.!.. Th ls <lIIOIn_'tl I he 111i II t<!lry

I. rJhJIoSfiJPh

Lhoct'Nfl'lS of LI'I'!:! ";:-rsaiUC"SI'tNLLYM'lL ~i"'I V T JC'I)u('li_;'J\M, L(IIL\(' .... o.aTly yours of tile war, before 1he perotcloos errects of the hQ1',i fie tosses on the gasicm FroJ1L were rcu. the S~~ l1<!tIrcJ of Ge-ml.l n tml nln& dl~JlllnoJ: ancl morale in 1he armed rorces 1....1;5.(1rSI to l":o.lli:mt! riII()Lclly cacc molilW!l IN ~~ rate. A~ rnent ioned ~.aIIS(I'Iin1ij~~('-I Bl'\lno and dh'lslon prevlousty btiualiof.l ;!Irflel(l ace Pi). 48.--32.), 1nc call 1936 conso! ,\'i!h ror \'OIUll!ttIS LO ionn L,aiCliflg
1....,'].'50

(~il~"{p':mr~irJroll'.r

the

l'irsl

JlMllolv mlhr fpMSlNy J'11wn "iJll~. lNn.mil~ rhorl rhl- rIlliJf\." l1n"{romtl~.1nlfrillsrilInJf~" st'?i:" rJ),.I-'ir.idr.lIJ"tI.rJ·;:1N. u~rt t. US Iwr~' /.mot.' tJj(' ·liJ"1~ fIlWjffk'dropsMiIl)'IiI'I."N'_ m.l._l},noj$C(!1~tf(.l,l')

h:)cJ gOJ1~ QllL

QU

rn

a parmrocpcr
1l'C'L"

eeiub! i:sh'NI at Stendal

.:Ji r I ranspcn under torres, the

talde

I\oi:rlln.

Th4: CO of the
10

b:1.t enon t

schcor a cerusn

~J~~t~r. [-iy thJ: oull>rc~!.; command

()r war, bavi

n.s

idated control form

(If the p<!rKh LLt(!. gJI(li:r the nucleus 01 2JIl a i rbcmo 3Ilrtli:I(I, tna n t

1he Luit w.afl'c

had C'!ltm.gh men

Dr G'I!"nl!'r.31111.:Jlm !<urt Student. a ruU di vlslcn.

ba!'i,,<!d .1L Tempethor 11)' Gcncmttcu

1U!".1 1~C!rll 8)' r n,

L 941,

It 112Id g.mllTJ1 into

rommunded

CRF.TE

L9-11

Wilhl,."lm 's'ussmatlH. Re!l;ill1ellts under Meindl). TI\C mrce fLe;iml'rlt MJitot wpporlcd IJ\lr<lCh\lte had tbrce

made

of

rmee

parachute

regiments

tI~l,

lnd

.111(;1 3rd Fall5(h1tmjtlge-r at r f.ug_ei'l

the command by nrttttery, (egili"leriiS pamcnute

of Br.llucr. Sturm ann-tank. 1'I.lJ(1tnree balt:tUons compaales

and I-lcidridU and

ilm.! a semi-autonomous

Il!lo",ullrcglmem {I_.yttl.u,de Sturmreglmeru

lLnde, the command

machme-gcn

of

Generalm.aIQI' engineer willie

combat

bertanons. of

j)at~(hut.;:

benenoos

aptece,

the air :ISS3uU

and a glid("r baU<lI.ioll (under .. headquarters 5L1PI}li~ ami Neither

~!'i

the command

W.. Iter Koch). l"ht- str('llgHi 01 eacn l">3tOLchuu:· bauanon

Hut'l'lnf:mlry The
ill tl1tilt

a\'('f;)8t'\J around 700 men

mmp.l11y .. "The IWr tile used

11110. muprhcd c

COUlIJany, a support muons, the

;;!Ind;ll !.i.!glt.ll.s secuo». ril\ilm,. heJi~'Y we .. pons, equipnH..'1lt

Daualion,

along

\VJHl all us he;)vy

eq~Lip·mt'm ineludirlg
was elrdropped p.11';)IrOOP{!fS of paJ.ilchmcs

emmunnlcn, in

medlcal

\\'01IS ()roppt'd

Lighlwei_gIU "'hllC' tbey

COrU:JiI1eiS, descended.
1J'I

t.'QI1I. tnees could .

be controlled

111(> millorUy

were

.!Otlll

the older tl2.16 utu t

1.'1ck('{J. fie- litt webs I

-nse.s-

or Amerl.4.."'tluand I.!riti~h -ti:tsiSJls..

51h Geblrgs Division

Instead of me the 2.2nd Lunlande Dl ...tston (",'hlL;h \,,~ ~'

Rom:mia),
COlIIIU[lI1-c1

paratroopers

mJulti

tM!" ocinfof'l.'('d

me

~uilrdin;s tho .s til Gebtrgs

'Of troops a number recruned

1'I00'"S-tL oll neld~ Dj\'isior\ under In this dhrJslon

In the were

ofGe.ner~lmalor alld had combat serctce

JUU~15 'l"':lp..'1' Rln,gel. The mlilorHy expertence. h.a~·ing come

cotuntccrs had
"",'tfl

Ircm
wert

or other

dh'iSiOJ1!> Ihat formh'g'n and the di,,~ion. antucry \VUh IUSl However, mottvated.

In the 1.0\\'

CO~LiU1le;s end

NOf\,·.ay befQli! the :5th had started the solditrS unes I)hyslcally fit and hlg.hly

Srtlzburg Tht' with under (Or 6th

in October diviSiOn was only

19-10. The lIIaiority org.;;lnlzt.-d along and the

or

from AuSlri3 infantry wit),

.Ilpille 1\'8101'1of southern

GetnHltl)' and were tough, similar t8S~h ;lfld

to a COl1VCMior)al 1001h G~b'~J:lser Rc-gilllcnt

illmol,Lgh Ii h;ld
three 14,000 GdJif&S ;ll'(! baHJliom alon~

tWO rifle i"tgimefl!~ 95t11

Re-slmems). each
tI ..() '

bilttaliolU. men,

Gcbirg:!.ilrtillcric than usual

\~'llh Sig.,.~ls. reconnaissance,

.t was

0)L1tl.1allt.: ;lnd engineer

iI

bauetlons. djvisiuli.

weaker it W:h

In manpower

~tilndard l.hrt.'C rint' men

Lu'antry

the Crete campatgn,

Dlvlslmi.

retnlcrced

\I'jth

th..: I~ISI

G.;:l:ilr~I.IIger

Reglmem from the

htMqLl-ilrlCn their ~l.Idd.c.,

Each

battatlon

had the

ccmpnntes, in utrboruc

eompeny
10 ~tutkn

5"~ljJport elements, Neither Killgel not l,jj.

X I as 110l1c!of I hem

expected

II'31tdc1

t"s I'IIt8crkorps

had any cxpcrfeucc

wurta ra, but

Il'Nr conmbuuon

the outcome

or Irle- ilxmle- oC3i'Ii1.91.1Je IInc.le~llm:;noi;.'(!.

Flleg.TkOTpS VIII
D""'''llIle- I he f.ilcl that \1(1(iory in the ccmponenr von fljchl~lof~t1, e Iarge shnre or the credtt an bo glven to Sludcnl's ntrmen h)' General FIIcgt!rMJrps of Ill'-"Se were 77). one wnh rlil!gl·li:.orp:50 XI for of the other rrcthcrr main Wolfr~m fom.'S and I...ith (,"1I111)3i8.111'1 0 'rile)' proved of the

Crete.
Ilighl)'

some

ci('()il

ts dlJ{' to the in 1,'e"'riJli!: down

of IAJftflolle

IV, ptlegerkorps

VIH. -L()mmandl!d

cffeenve

,.\Uh,>d gAAlnd

lil11itlllg lilt." Impact

5('\'"('1"\

Ro)'.ll N.il\)' 011 AIlI~1 operanons.

VIII comprtsed equippe'l.1 Dornier 1)0 17Z lleiilkel

Ge.sd\,,'ad«, tne equtvatent ot

bombers engine (l(alllprt('~1'Iwader

an Rt\I~group. Three
1,2: and I), one 2), one

Ju 87R Sluka. dive bombers Iwln-eflgine ...e 111 ~llwln

tSum;hmpfge..<;chwade:r

wi1h a InjxtuN'

of hI 88"\ and ""'Ith

oomOOIS (I.e11rg~I1\VJideT f1gh,er~ Uasdgesc!nyadeT

wnh MCSS4.'ud1mlt Lujtflotte

Sf 110C and

D rwm-engtne
I'll 109£

fighter~bombtrs

IZerS.lor('r&("!iCtl11"ader

sfngfe-seat

n-..

16) and one

MessctS("hl~~it1t
LV rontalncd 91

1n addtttcn.

J\LRSORNI::

mLllny J lves a fter nloi: Roy.jjI NiJvy X ~ U~I f could .,I:\Q deptoy tri1l1~p{)rts (KGzI1V 1-3) and an -ilir-l.jJndin!'l group- Of I)F~ 230 gljdel'):, L! rn USL IX" remcmbcrcd thm ro""il~g SO SOOn after the Balkan campatgn, .LL large number of i}iK1id1 .... ere a","'.LI.i!iJlg lervl.Cifigand a number S ai.t"C1'4:'W been KiIlN.t'Or h nd refured. Hrn Itlng the number or ~Itcr,)fl !IIvall.;3b!efor OjJ'et!)II,QfI Mfm.r_
fmercepted I he fl

eecceeasssance

end

r.I'

:)I~

rescue

u.oll-s that seved

of I he 'reinfQTI;~men t com'QY.5:. FLL~,g~rko"rp5

three GeSdJwiitll"r

or junkers Ju SZI]

or

Opposing plans
Axis plans
Wi til • he- is-suillg M war Direct lve N-o, 2.5, preIXiJi1I.iOJ~S for tht i nvustcn 01 Crete coutd bu. h ~ook • i me- LO~mbl(-' tJle necessesy men ilild ecurcmem. scancred M they were a II ,'CfOS5: F.),.uOj)l:. As e ~h, D· D~y for Opera tlcn MCfklrr l'Ii'a.s put b.nel:: lll'U II .20 to."lay. .jJl)Hng the confused defence Qr C~~ to IJI! put Into ~m~ son of order. l..ogl$tie5: atso be.giJ1~ domill.-iJtC'd the roll~idC'r.ution:s.of the tillrJl):N~ to ,jJU.,jJ(.i;_,...san airborne .LIU;ad;. usuatty renee en

(!]1 .

surprise• speed and tapid IeilltoI{"t-n'ltnL. M the firs. ot enesc factors J'I..LLd. alrNi.{[y been ccmprorntsed, •!'"Ie p"'!lIllllers tookro.aL Lh~extent to whH:h ~h~ could('.jj.pJti}I~'Of1, the OIhC'r two. D~,ring the e.aTly plarmtng process G{!on~1'".31 F"I:,gi:r I\lo!:,,'(;:)oc!er der l_tl.hr (Comm""~t l.urtflctte ril'l,-"tH..Iroo.LIsingle concentrated drop to Y!!Zi! the ahHeld iIIl Meteme, fQl1(j'L'lo'W by .:l buitd-up of Mdi. iU{!iIIi i men try and l'L(,:!V), w('.LII}(IIl:s.. aud I hen iI con liC'til tonat advance up the isl.,'lild r-em west to east. Such an approach, hO'I~'(!\!{'I~ ffii.gliL allo\'II' ..he- 8ritj~h lime

IV,

to rcmforcc RftI'ylttfIOil.

me

gamson.

either

by sea

Or by I..amhng

troop~

et

enhcr

H~r.ilkliDn

or

Thls could allcw tli~Jl to sustain :i de-r(-'11CC'Cit the is.I"md, Ccncemed <it this prospeo end by rhe 510w bWld·ufJ that .... "'(Iou1d re;5.1.JJt from the ~iZ.ure cl a slngJe atrflcld, Geoerill mator t::,url Sruden L (ComO'l.;i rider, Flles~rk-o:rps 5'!..lgc;50Led no rewer • hen seven ~€:par.:Jti! drops. the most fmportent ~.1 n,!:; around the!"<!Iirflelds at Mnlerrte, Rei hym non end

xu

CRETE

CRF,.TF,.19-41
Grnt'"'lr Wi"nToir Joi,:;y:'s f(.Ilr.Ir~· WfflJ6{flcnlirl.llM'lmpt.'rt"Ijrg ,I ]. 7uI (ml'jo;lrUt"r,r~ gmr jl'Q5I1.iot"J.<"rrmmb!:'TfJ('I1~rirll "''t''A''t.Jrwt~{rNjjIt8'1I1lT" IljrJ,~Nj.111!1II II~ . ,"~I' dirj' !1y 11.11:'G('1II~ IIIr.lj~.A rim-rum IIottrPrlmlt'lI'.I1..fl.ldltIro/i."fJ'3 fI~L~IWr[if. ~'Wu.rrJY 100r :K!.m,'Jl::ttilill;w{1drolJ"ir.rsljlr tI::IukSiJ'tlrffl:c~m 'w.rilril'N!IlI~p,"inJrd~..!rj: t'f'i'"'1~'1lrroi.u.lII.fJWM£".J88,

H~Ii1IIo!l:iOtl, \""1 h

i he

tocus

en Hem knon. the !Jlould

S1·udent"s Krlegsm.afln!!''$ be- 0(1{' 0' ju SZS coold

pia n ..... 'Q~LI·.genabte

the GII:Jm9lm

10 setze mil1jmal. 5I:h!,l~t"<!r, to the' in a

a 11 the main AJJ ~ll~

agreed,

SI ral"-'XoiC come Lil 1.t"LCO LScot, so 11I11g as OU p']~!"'In~ (Inol:hKllng I hat MillcIDC' <!I!'5he t

reabtancc
main 1-0

was l!<or,JloC1iJ.-Umlr{lI l{~rt·Ge:ora

the :!!.fOUII(I

on

however,

uic

til!"&"CIs... II Wit!> dm131

W~n.1n
\~~

!JIdm iill!il r;)tlve (lrop;

centre, Haela . .and So"ud9. Ray. and

;502 cpcrauonal

the G ~

11l03'fI]!JInd. assault

The

I!JIU~

Importanl

1101 CiIIrry 2111the O(IC' lirt.

elements

slnglc

~hc maxtm [.1m \~S a fO'!.Jj'id .6,OOCI

1lJQ1.'Cd correct,

in

'rms meam ~h2l1, even h~d

as qL1iC.kly LiS p.::!Siibt(' \00 allOw

Gemu n I nrel I lgence eetfmatcs dl!'5ild\·iiruaj!;C'. TIl(' O:rtly

ih!:' .il LtaCk11l8 fof"l;(!'S \~""OUld h,I v"1!" been 911 t:2 a

a secondun
by
!A.'"iI.

answer was to turn uic Ju.52s around on O-D:J.}'_ ~ b.1i1;l.;.Up I ho Gennilln~ equlij send As
~i"INI the by uic ·M~l'1mUt by tilt ~1.aLroolJ!Z15-.. tlmll: Ihe rrocpslups

I)

poopot'tlon of 1he
being be

Sls:5aul renee
Illjty

Lrorce
IIw!r to the:

to C1I:IJtml HiC' :foothoW matnland

It!

MillcmC'. w cutd

uic C.10Sl'5l ilirfid(l proxi

~('I-ti.jj

W tlte

\\w!d

sbcnen

at

SE'...:J. and

vulncrabuny rn~inl.:! I1d amount hi

,'I rOUl1d

illK'"'KtptiOJl nllc-v even time GOi'iJLg en tilt

"'ould end,

Ro)'iJ1 N.;:rvy. finilily. 1',.·lalcml!':s 8r L09 flshte~ Jlued \\!]th

the P'Otency ;Wlul ion second comprormse now the

ctcsc bomb

reaecnnbfe

or (lying, tht

DYC1 the I:s.lilml. cnhilIKi.rLJ.;

of <!Iv.JI!.a.bk!-<!Ilrmpport. 1X'~v.·~1 these I hi!' tl~t ancrnocu ~v.·o (lHfC'L'l!11t I n tho morn I n.g :ig:ljn:s.1 UlE' gtngct and the."

rmposee
1)-

.a

apprcaches,

The (lrQI» E'1,nliLi ano troops elemems,

Da)' ...... ould

be millde

In 1·\'I"Qwaves: ill UtC' late

:!jrlleld

iU M~t~J1t~,

.ilJrfi~IQ:i.M !"I~r~I:<IIOIl.an.g nlOU(II;!Iiil seaborne 01 5Ul

ltell1ymnon_ M."5o;lu!l rorce

This 'L'I.'Q1JldI)II! foll"ou'e<! 00 D+I Gtn{'-Tillm~j:Or lilg-l!"n in 11l~ nnt M'I!"I ndl, wave 01'1 1 he fI~t I rnulor comp3.n!~s land

IJy

the .iHJ!ViIII of the

GCOlNrg~ l)j1f"i.s.iOll under b)' Genera which vmL1ld

Julius ccnslstcd

T~e

(19.)'\\"OOld O!: ~plit of glidet

sn to tlt tee groups.: or I he IZIl tin?

G ru Il]:K: WI!"S"I. com

mandcd

Lur11S1l:1df!S\utmregimen
auached 5(!cllrLng G mppe Fmm the to Cruppc Maleme MUte). ;)ilfiC'ld.

~ (mlfll,J.~ two

troops
and had

the ~ were
Ihe

to be

oll[octiVi!" of had

}"mt~ under

the dlvistortal regtment

com mender. hceeqcanen

.jlj,

G;znel':!lle'utnilllit u toOng wiH\ !tk'll.aT(t

\\Illbelm 3rd

Sussmeon. r.!lI~h1rmf.llger

its. n rsl wi1\·C' -conSLMi1l1!: 0' uic dWlSion.a] 1_u8I<!1nd~ Sturm

me t ..... gMtr c

comperues

<!I~....'ell

Oberst

H~(lr]':;h's

AIM.ISORN£ Reglmenlo r.::lrrilf'JKro b~' ungt

Villl~y Oberst '\'itll nnd ;J,u.iI.(;l;towards

f1('1[!t

and ,.\A unns. Thctr OO~I

,~n(l Souda. its oIJjoc1il,"i:. The second I):)it~lio~

i"~

Hanln

wave

AI[rt!d S11.Iml end censtst the lawn or ltt."1:hylllrmn

-i1!.

or the

I~I ~n(l3r·d

10· Loul1Jin ilri5,QO oornrnaudcd 11)' 21l.d Falt£Clllrmj~s~r Tteglm(-'[u,

be ,,"'(lIuld be land i!l& i (I 1he

1\'OOld

comma I'LdM Iljl Oberst Brune iJ.r:iucr (J nd wave, consisted or til-I: IM Fansch.rml~(-'t 1tC'.(I:imC'ilt reillrol'ted 2nd rall~chlrml~ger ~I rnent wtt J!I l-!er.1Idkllll :)S iI:50 ool~tI~_

G I'LlP'P'C' Ost,

by the .2i'lO

E..L<l

seen n d ua! tori,

Allled plans
G-C-rTfI.;i ~JUelll~n.~ n
detence or G reece and (C'..ollllll.ilIUler-ill.,-C":hici, \\lith

I"tCtd! »dly I C~1-t: ' v,as

~I

ndN'CSI i mated

1nc ,.,IIi{'l!j ;5.U~1l.g1 h

on
,II,

one or 1J!le (n,m}, o~ra.IOTLS GlI:Tlol:~1SIr Porces !\'llddlc his theatre.

the Island. The rcOIb.l:! 1<1 Wi}'V(!1I

Commonwealth

r.ast, had been tceced ro LLnd~rtj}kt!

tnadcqu . LILC' r{'$(JUH.'t~ an around

Th{'11' were ,1(:ul(" .l'ihortilg"C~ ot aircraft,

hej}'ry [lIL"Liliery.armcu red vcntcfes ano (:'''1.."1'11 baslc supphes that meoc Il is jOO even more prQb!c-mtLtle, .;:I uneuen cxncerbmed [)y the tosses stlH~rec.!,during Lhl£!cvacueuce Ircm G 1"C[!c(!", lncl LIdIn.g much or Ihe I man try-":50organtc h~;;!IV)1 \\'~JlPOTtS. In iilltI(C1 non Ql:)J'lY lU1jH IIUt' now di5(]r,g~njz.L'd, and th(!ir mereta h.1.o taken 21hilrd knock There ~~'.1.Su properly n
fUl1CI lorung r:J.:1iO ]'1("1 and comru unlca nons proved to bX"allilOst non-cxtaten L Nevertheless, the fOOC(-,5 the Island on n.u.ml:Joc1E'ti: same -32,000 Com lTIo.I1IIX'1211Lh LrOOj)Sand 10,000 Grl!(!"l;:

:5A}]dle~, ~1&nlt1('.1I'UI}' more Iha.n ~hC' Getman unerugence csuoune Cornmonwealrb 1rQCp5 and the rcrnnan •.5 of ten Grecl;; dhrl!..IQflS.

of SO.l11oC' 10,000

SoMIm Cyril .frKsorl ~h.:JrJ/jr: rlrt'mrtl'ro"'-"jjfmlF.m.io'''L~ suvrJ!jr:brMl'lfo('lll:U111i11io..1

(;i~mj"rJ!p<lflj,f"jUlt_''.I;.rIIl'll)NX'·

(Ir/l\·lnY:!ijr!'l1l'c..u.rlru.~
IJrJ,. I1;IIr_;;,Ji .I:1UfIJr.:t 1'1\"1"" ,~f1I\:I}"J:

4r

IJI'WmI for ~rfrj(1Ni!15t5.. r:'U.'.zlll.mJ',·I ljrnl!!mIj Ijb~wl' WHXi',IM-F,I

\lalol

General

Frc)'berg,

commander obloL'CIIH.~

.~f ,he

,o\IIi.oo garrtson me pert and (~ht~ targets

011 Crete al Maicme.

(k/lO\\'n Rothyrnnon

as hts

·CrdCJl'Cer~. Idcllt1fkd ,jJfld lIeraUiOr), a.'i"lol.slUefllli .... tr-o\fiscril)15 hl'n')' III any "f\.·ybef&'~ opucns

On: main

to dcfr-nd: the alrtlelds

usc ednuntsueuve were limU(-d. 'Enigma'

oL"tIHIt' of Wi.!'l:i:.I!and ali!i.llUII. lis liming to. SIX'urity su(ri:rin;g

0'

iIIl Soud a. wnue the qualily and

of the nature of German

of tJ1C"comlns Due

were gene.>raUy good. dt'OOdoL'(l of me a lack 01 'tttere fOK,(~ the ate LInder thl: under w ...~ Intervene
\(II

r('slri("tioli.$ poor

surwUlidill8 aboUI the ca nons

tran~I1lIss.10n!i,

he had from

ii1t-1.·1118cn~ 11(' nec '«h'('d, -wapous. liltl{!' pros.pect Org,.l111l'lC' lib

<II

The garrcon, air CU\'CI and ill the ('\'('1'\

ccmmunt

\\'a~ also 1l.ilIl(!ic"~lIWd by of l'ffcttiw

\\'.(1)'

"hronll;;S.hor

•age of motor

1r.lIUP0M.,

no 011(.' Will 5.url!' if IIli: Ro)<.IIl N sv or n SeCiOOi'rU' Ih~', srrcnqrh.

could thus

Ineaniflg_ful

freyi){'i'g

was

rorres
Zeala.nd

Into J!JKMlljSof rcugh I)' equnl nh'I~lon depLoyed

spill between as ....('11 as tht '

the oblec.1h't'!s, It·.leln (10m area, the

\\-1th

~~lOll& oL")It"o defellding t TIl;e New

:2Ig 111:5.\a .s'I..--aOOII1t:hw.i:SjOll, a

WiLS

IIIIQlmd tho

M.llemi!?'GaI9lIO~ R."LwHon~),

t~;jIldl lu I eye ot 'Cn."for'l"{!' TklgadioC'r 11lglks ur10el I3ILJ.::iidicr and Raualions) 11iv1~lonal

Headquarters
:lOt]l (lbL. 2Z.Ild. ami

nCLlI I Lilf.ia., Lil1d ccuststcd 01 thC'

Newli;!;'II:md 2Jrd the N('II· under Infnmry Zt."<IlilIHJ und B.i'Jtl2IIion}.

411'1 Brisade-

(lS.h,
a nell'

19t1l nnd

:5lb Rrlg:)dc Illf.l.l1try Falconer's

1·lfug(~t

2:811'1 [Mooril as Brig ndlCf

lOt11 Rrlg.1de sen ~ to

CoIOfiCI ~O\\"';!,(I Cornpcs!tc

kfppenberger

(N4,."\\' Ze,11i!11d

C.1Iv.1Ilry Detechrncnt General Eric Weston named

6th lJ.rig,lide had been

EgY])I,
commanded around parent
II:~

Maim
(1t:NBDO) ,\u"tfall.ln

the Mobile.> N.aval B.i!se Defence SoutlO'l i"IJlc.l rctntorced arid Org<lnl]'.Jitlon~ (i6ln I~fh 8fi~de), and I ilh

Organlzatlon composite and a"S;Jdelo). the

1 tllii!ll was batt.llions.. the

coucenuated eaer th~lr

.. cling Reglmii'nI

by two

the 2/2 Field MHuer)' 1st Bal1allQu, Rauillion

R('gimcrU Wt:lc;h

i.n.(lIntry. OIlon·g \\"th I~I ~n~r formed 2/7th. some polks.

<II

(from

191h Ba tt ..non, tang'~ ilea,

RO~'ill R:itle Corps) 19th Austr.1l1lim

Northumberland constsnng

f.luuars of

reserve

Hanla,
V.ilscy's reinforced Brlg.adc, around HcriiUic.f. 111(' Algyll prlm,j]JiI)t and uatt.aliolls,. tloops,. I3rigad.e 2,ncJ

Brlg.adicr

21·15111 ind L
cngt neers tho

2.!llUllnfrunry and

unec dere:r.~

bnncnes

from

U1(, 213r(l ReI hymncn

21 I ~I, He.ld Rtg,ime.n\,

Georgiou

ntacnme-gun

",~5 deployed

UrigMiC'r Ul.aI}J}C.L's 14th

ilfld ron~iSltd Vorl.;: end Lind Sutltcelaml

.o:r: 2nd

B.iltl:tJion,

t.erceaersarre

Reglrncrn:

11::1(11)11011, the

l,;"nc .. ~lllre

Regiment;
(who

2nd Battalion, Sdltalioll Fln[lltly, Re~lmenl.!i area: Greeks In while H~r",kliOf', parauocpers fact. fnformnucn dl"Crypuxl \'1'.:r); near (flOl11

the lLl.ilt:kW,a rchr I ~I uauunon, 19th Gtet"k area; \Yil.h I!rlgadc). forces the ilh II~fe 2nd dtvtded Regtmeru and I)S

H i8hli:lmJcrs

were 51111 ~ 1"ymoo kl when Ihe In~;5ion .'l ,he

tool:. placer follows;

In the the

nnd Ihe Au:";'r;"illan 2N. h 111(:;Imcy

i«'gime.nts -lolh and

111<C' 61111Lind Sth lSI,

Souda-Hanre ill rne Irom aequisnlcn

inlhe
.')n ..

Makmc--Galiltos along iksPit(' put and the

Mea; the

uie Gend~Illle.ri(· were

Regiments Ogllt. of 'IOOut •hetr

stIltiOfietl Cantsen by

RftllrIiiJi.Ol'l.-Coorg,ioupoli~ deployed around l.hC' de:;lld from rrta.rw ALLi('d officers. of betler

the _lrd end

lllllHaHQJ1 were

misgh'ill~ up a ~t\lblJorn the occasion pl~Htre

performance

h'ould

helped

the

weapons
'han tht

.. 1 Wt'«1)()1I5 ccntamcr, German InlefUIQft;S

h·,1~ (::-1

UIltlsh

lhe Germans

Gerll1~n

on Allii.."d to launching

dispoo.iHom. omce

From the end of .'\p'ril." ec 61etctdey lnvaslon of Crete

stream

of 'UUr.ll' mtelttgcncc.
\1-":lI'e

b)' the c(XI"-,,bnNl'kir\g

P::Itk. IndiC'.rH1X1 thm

an <1.1.1-001nbornc e

1'I'i.h the emphasts

belng

an

ss

the capru re or I he ill rfiel.;.h. and I hen rDllowinlo), I h u 1 UI) wil h ai r trunspcn

01 rei.nrOl"C('m';:!ln.~..

-a. AdditiOnally, il I~'M VC!ry dinlcuU 'Or 1...611r to ccnccu Ih(lbuild"UI) or udtflm te I V iil Greece. This i I'dorm~llon II·OlSpassed ~lofig ~o P'reybcrg, but I(s rrnoaer 1'";1IS-diluled to JNotecl tl!le secret of the 'Ultm' broiNlktl1rQtI&l1. r.'reyl:it;!rgW;!~ 101(1lhillt Lhe Into·rm:)llon had C(IImi: fmm 'hi!;hly placers splcs ill A.h~n~". In Fact. 'Ultra' proved to be somethlns of " dcml>le-cd~ed sword in ,hal me inlcrruatiuu comtng Irom tllcGcrman
scene coming
!>C.

wnh

b~'

·E.Il~m;r'

tsansmlsnons

was .. il1 the mam,

preu}'

reli<lbk.

bUI il to

I .... .a:p

I~OI alll."OljlS complete g.L!.p:50,

and

Ult iilli!lly.:.;ts al lJ.l{'tch]('), L'atb:often made mlsl.l~ loey believed thm Slh Geblrp DM~on had been
the 22.f\d Lu fll,im~ 'L'I.'iJlU provkte Id and thEill prop{!r supporL

tn

uymg LOrill in the

FtLi:&i:rkorps

11'"1 case thls

auached

XI In ;rclclLtlQfI 10
L

(Alrl.1nclLn&., ])1 ... alon. rather t han Ti~ptiLclll.g 11.and tha t so thut I M" ~C uborne iL was uic sceboene
rOK"C

the U.LIIan N"w)' i larger one ..

WQult! be prcporttonatcly

the &r"C~lcI Hm.!"<ll..As a rtsuU

e'l"u$.('((

threat,

ramer

than

the atrbcme

heyl:Jtrg

the ~l'E'iUe!!il ll"Otry,

('.'I me

J-:Utllle'r

ern, firmM Ion

111I,en n German order c-vn Grt.'tk$

IU I 10 cr.;3111~ mndc the

In SomliL lhy. 11'L'I.'a~ fO\!lruj Itegtml!'nl, and a

to 'CO('l1;)~nI ~e miillp -c'.a:'i.ll: and (lpi!ra1 tonal ;5.!,Imm.LI of the ry

Gi'.rmrm ~r ...... r.r~"'; ,"},IrJ 11~

for the In;i PaIlKhbmji:lscr

.... thole 0l1cr.LIttcn .. The

di~IXi<'r·{'ry ;),(1((. I.UdOll1JJ1.iltCly .. me BritiSh command decidoC'cl it

despite

the rolel

that

iL ccufumcd

mctr

nuemgence,

'jJJ pjJlh4IrIm~TR.rgInJM.r P1rwI,' .l/j{tjr~~ ~ lj~ UU1lllrd,

was a ruse.

ccnunucd
alcng the

.F.Ii'GIrGIPli1tru:il'I'l1£l.HI',
}.t..IrJ,.(I{lj~P""'I,rjrT}()pi'r,; ~NlWlNjINsIPM"ijP.l!rdejIJ21'f ...... rbl}oUjIJ......,.Jo!"r· ... fimjjll~

19..11. ,
I'I~JiJ'

iL did i1.01. fli 111 wi.h P~COI'"!0C'ille-d Brntsh tdeae, and th~l:50 f.Te>,~rg «til.ef.:fllri!.t~ on •he seaborne elernen Lof I he operarton \0,'11 Ill~ un Ita spread h COiIM.. Th~ Ii. Hles Iatled I!I thcr 10 cnncent rate thll:lT rjofunco .LI roLind I he .LI ir1ielt!~ or Funhcnnore,
10

1(II pL~t the-m prevented the

tM!-)'-Qml use: latter .. There

1h.1!' RAF, con lIinCM 11~.s. also only The scene the GClliiiiil

il

I\'OU

It! cvcnruany reserve

return il1 the

i 1'1 ~I[tligth .. evr-J1.t tbon ptcturc the or

a Sil10iII J\lIicd aUi'!ICUrS with

rI1i1;"t!:'Olt!,Q{t'oI(.Ir~J'Ji'ltf. (:.Ili'.l.iNl'I:tL't" 1'urrw,f(11libfMJ; DiL ..j j ~lS ..Fj

Germans
or alrbome

C"<l[}lur'M au aiifieJd. 1ro:11lS in history.

<I

was set, uiecrose,

<!I

for one of the mosL d3.rln,g IJSoeS dr{'.;u..i1ully fuadcquate dnccuon,

I heir tilrg~1

rL!:.il ('(LC'my, uic AttiC'S effectivt-ly

tooki

I'"I!;: il1 t~i(, wron~

ss

CRETE. 1941

The assault on Crete

On tile morning .. dear of 20 May 1941, I)-Oil}' for the German promi~in& as aboard, a 1101, eady Coriinlh airfields such Inva~lollorCrcle.lhe sUI'-lInC'r'~ day. zveu and Tanagra, the sen row .nlo before ju dawn" S2-s from to ta;d tor 'i.ky "-·im "t"ty liuJi," breeze, XI, with their IIM\",,"\"4:r, l)!1 Greek Fliegcrl;oq}s dust I.,1L~.ort there
(.}J1

r..h.'g,uit, .

paratroopers runways.

fired up metr engtncs

and started

Wet", problems

tmmcdlatety

as the firs~ feh" 1'~i1SI)()rI5 ten huge hOl'l"e\'tf, the OnC' of the

ctoeds

of

rhe drr. tnttn{1aJk'd for IhL"ir oblecttves. Wilhelm ~ glider

.fI

II look time for the dust to settle, flrst of uic

pLaying hevcc casuautes OMsion. gllder

with \\-.115

!hc cart."fully I)]::mrlf.'dnmembfe.

neadcd Gt'r1~JlI.llcull1ntU ....u <lbO,ud ' ....as due ' frolll Its towrope
1(10

F.\'t'ntually.

JlI Sls formed

German

U~l O'trH.1 then

UrtrorturliitCir.

S[l~mmn,

C;OI11I11.nn1;llng oHI~

"Ih

stteger

I\'ho

that (.111 ;jJIU'OSSthe Slip.:.treiillii or a Hctnkel

He , L L The headquarters

separated Sussmnnn 3I!{Iong5l{1e

r1(1crashed

rn1 ~h~ HI'S! wave,

Isl::m(l of

N:g.iJUI, ki IIi r'I.I!:

11\(' oeecpnms.
landing

drup

as part of the

3m F.illJst·hirm i.~gt'-t RegtPll ent 111 ],"0011

V.' I Icy.

\\'ith

hi~ div:hlonlill

Maleme. 20 May
Befor!:' the rnaln lXXly o-f the first wave IHid rtae'led the coen or CR'1('. F1i"gcrkorp~ VIII had started ro sorten LlI:)he derences of the IslJind. o'irldthe ~lide, COr'rlp.~n~l"j the t or I.uillamk Stun11Tl'giml'nI th .. t wert to ~uPI'0r1 Gruppe 'Vest had started to land around

OS.OOIH'S.TIle Inillal and the pararroopces

,}Ad part of the ~lIlon'i. commanderS b.m,1l1on

glider I':)ndings Itls. 10 the \\"I!'S1 or Maleme proved rt'-1:ttl\.t(·ly s.ut'Ce.s.sfuL from Obcrlcutnant Wul£ von PJesse;n's detachment (3rd Company,
detachmeni 0\''''' the western under under M.il!OJ Fran1.- Braun knock managed the brtdge on 4th the 1"iI\crunitiS. Heuptmann OUt the anti- a in.rra clC$J,tte both ..md the IJy dd~l1ded

rcgtmcne .a 1 headquarters

to (lind in tilt rtver bed, capwre btill;R, l:illed. 'rile

ft

and secure a brMsehe::ld beadquanees

Q~tt:ikli"t.s of rhe ~lr(lcld.

c;ompLi.rw

Kurt Sur.azin

~\'Itll M,nIQ'f watter

Koch came 40\'''-0 arowl1..;1 ~iII101,

or the 22rld N~'" ZCilltind Lllf.il nt ry R~ltililiDn 'meier ~~.iI!orS. H nmon ami Cepratn 1<. Craree, ~spr~f.:H~'l!:'ly. p.nra~roopNS sum.:!red hofNl"~t("MlJalli~ ,...·i!J1. TI'e S-ilrr<l7.in i.;iIIQd. <lnd Kech wcunued in utc hCilti soon .rifler l.illl£llng; the survlvcrs \\'('rr! «aueeeu across 111~hlll5it!e. The 1rcl uartelfon. unde-r MillDr Ot10 Scherbcr. ~1<1rlor:c.l .rlroppolng at thb ponu and I.md~ rl:G,ht Oil sop or the N('~\' ~~]:)nd d('fCfL~J~ POOSiliOIl~Ll~t !.Ou'.!'! or the roast road. The f
A .a nd B ComptLrli~ 51th. IWH.7Jg), 'he 2:1:5.l,22nd S.w'ol!'l landed l lth trUI'kR) and L2th (G.ln.se\~ ..lJ.':) Companies BaHllliorn:, Cemre and (";)me- dOL....., on top of pans iIInd the 10th Company Ne\~' Ze,'I.and Enginet'r and did they of and 2.JnJ Nt,,", .leaililn.d lI'lJIIlll[)' ... ry near to the Flt'"ld Puntshrneru e mrteR'd as (St:-hultt. ..... Groop. many

The- bIIuaJion
beln~ Idlltd quit!;.'}'.

.hey

seerched

very badJy,,~ II R"iiUIt. some being J;.;iIIlXlas they droPI~d' for weapons .;nntalnt;!f':i.. Sfl~,,11 groups of suf\'it\'On.
$(.'1. about loc<ltillg oolillOO defensive pe»i1lons where ~tt<Kk;s or

rorm
roukl

however,

ilnd

{'ith~r e:u''fY ]lil·and·nm QuI

!'\~,111 rell~f. for

TI'SH ,bJ!' ll,.r" r/' fiJI' 11·4ft fl'/llll'l' .. rJt'J daf;ru: [41' ;.!II'I't' klJIKJ I'IIImy FI.IIIii1ljrr/J~r u l~llW.l. If It.IlIl (I'JI .... :'r.W u( _lNJ ,r:iurhb" by 011 u rr.r.iIW'tII'llIu.hr!lIJJI 111I.If"Iri,'1o~ 1.1 Irit ru 1,71)8 ntf",,,b 1I1 ,!.riff r/'\lll Irbllml'l'"

~ IlIll' ~tl j

lit,,· .>;;l1m_ II n""

.,

J.\I,~B.ORNE.

~'.'!i':)m"llll~, Obcrtcmnnet under M'I1Ji:l!C'landed

the

~tl1 r::~~t.31Ionunder

Hanprmnnn

\ ..... ,ll1her 10 art LISa captur!

Gerlckc.

ntong \dth

p:)n o.rt"'~
'I) l'ld~1'

r1!'gLml?nt..a1 hendqua r101!"l":\ landed

1~""e~1of tho T.3VWlll tts, mmus

~he ] 61h Company

f,;

~wtdd. h w
.Li.1"~f 10 the

id1 l<llult.'d further II~\ WilD the

:;011th

nan Ilg

guuro. The 2nd ui'lJinbhro

8~1 talillJL relCr near

1'oiEilior Edgar

Stcn tzter

1'lJtu1..'tl caSI of 5iJ'i Ita. whj le a ~)lEilIOOl1 u nder

Lcumum atrftctd

i1UCi'1 Lion of

the

K,a:s.t(-,III,B-oI~ rmnmlOilS rurl her ,;IM.ay from I.;.kl.;cd Ull They

I·I:)(I,'!. 11111(;11lINj,llt:f tlmll: l.unwaffc WiJlLIml mpporl up rctuttvclv i ntact.

Or It tl1~1"1 II\eir
.iI r1i;t

comrades
~'

us 111C')' vverc troops. h<!l.;J one g

Lhll: N~'L'I.'7.~,I., ncl derenslve

pml tlcns and

h ldden

• he (h.l~1 cLouds

by

continued

the

land! ns of t he gllrll!r

managed

10. land a nd kmll

1I:lcind.l. ri"<lliziu& I hat I hill~

al\il')' II;i tli tJ1.(, La.(I(IiI~g:;;, csreeunv dtsposal around his neadql'o"ittoC'rs S~enU~J.er' take thll: Stl1 (!-lll:rI-crlch) 10
capture H II I 107, 1111:~ took to Mateme • Soon attcr thl:§. both
:.0

I t·IO!.(' of I!"LC' :3 rd lS,u talioi'l, col[{'C1.CliJtli(' forces LlI 1113 end dug if! on ~ll~ i}i,r.eld"s pcnmou» euu Orot-TOO .jmd!7Ih rn:;!lrmetl~rl CoJl~jX!IJlIes. uem b!~ 00uerton .1n.£I .!hnel(.l, wnh a tong sweeptng nank march [0 ~he s,oliltt . Obcrtcue nunt von Scelcn, II"1!"Tewounded .a no

Mcfnd!

and his <ldiulilili.

(krit"kl.!'

l.r.s: $PN

dl7lv,J, jf,l/~l1JrK'S

As. urc MI
1\'Lth ,\ 11<1f"eh',

,rft~r b..":IIX "'il ".II" (,INria(liKm~ fift"(lI\'TIIotY.:.lWoj,alrfkM -I)'I'12(jM,r.vJ~1.11~mjJli' gej,jIJlltlllNmrba"o{ p(jfjrI~","I'U'I' .... Myfr"r;lN r

corumauc. as I he meat sen lcr survlv! I'l!1 orfia."l_ rna 11Ll_g(-'olJ cotteo I hcmsctves, I hco)' S-iLirLC"d0 1~'LLLKco 10. 1 I heir presence the 22:m.l Neh' Z(-'i}!iUlcJ 8.3 LMIion. under the comma il<li or trenenam Colonel L W. Vr.::_ ,II, n{l:~\\' b:;!id been \,r~,.y 'Of Ills mlsston 1:0. eereto 110~ ooly ~h'!::)lrl1eld bu L also
11QJLlI roopers It, lnchtdl he was ns
M<!I1C!mC!

'1111 ., 'L'I.'lrli!"<!IJW around tu Hi!l]. In order net 10

",lIIaS.;! ., nd Hili 107 (also known

.a;5. ,avl<:)Zio'i K

do
QI

tl1i~ her,

tora.'d

to SI'ICa(.! lus

corupnntce

so Ihinl)'

Ih<ll Ilury could

tll('

jsj"

~jJlhrlrum~:J'I.'T

SUIJPOrt cccn

il.fld hc Md

110 reserve wi tli Wl1 iell

Ri.'1.:i~lj,IJ"IT!i1iIIJ~lIoIIi'o:~1 1'il)i'tI1Jp

a rt{!tI100n
to move With
rIN']I·

hr~2
rrurl~

0NtJ It. WIJlle II~ lIn,jiJt.lru·1,drJl'l"olwrtoru

(,I! lI"r~nJl1¥oo~

I he pa ratroepers 'l.Jl1d.{!t Gelicl.:e C-~PIIIr'll1g,a codebook IntCl'CL tll.fl[ oeutned

cEil~1atO(1.g the r(;lj),{jj,Tnc J\

l!iy 1<1111: had forced uiete WLI)' iii LO the RAf ca.mp. the ,\IIIe-d oK~r of b n rue, and Il"He ~ucmpHilg
to react to a

ny

rrisb,

two companies IJil1 107 tll~

under and

StCI~ tZL1:T eventually

mEiltli: roll tact from the given the [udgcmcru

4mjt"""~r~r4f5"I'1'IIIII

Lind
i\ll Ienan

tJ, Companies ~ Colonel

w["~~SJllrl.:,1~Y5J
1IJ,r~jry

4 ,l(JI:l.I,"I" .:'~I'I'r. .. ~ 'I.r U

lJrt"

south-west. 'Of U~ tho r.llsp!!"~d

Illls, :)11.(1111(;,lmJ}!,'!ICI Ant_lrew

clcl~rl.di.ng or

SI.;jjrtM

1.0 exert

pressure Its

lliriwatrco

bombardment, been 'L'I."OLI nded

affected durIn;

,:'liS1 (II \\'b~. her

h 1;5. ." ttntton b

II;Oll!(ll10Id

post ucns,

Malnm', tfh'ILr - "'-.ll·HJ

naru re of It~ deptoymee

t. He had

~ne ;1.1 ~H;;I.;:l: :;Ill'" r

,L

-...... ...

"') ,

":;J

")
I

GmINNI'I1'f,jr~~Iropphr.s (rtlm/riS2111Jrup.:.o.rr'l.irtlru/t drujfJXjjll'fW.tJI"OoIJ'I"JrJ{r~ lfj~rGo'r.I}pJJ:f1s'jrIL'f.\I1'h1 j~JlI" 8r~'t'fJioI INlIIIJ' iJf' jlJ,' ,WN-rJ.I'U'I'¥',.~,,"J.ifJXC~r(' OoIrth!:i1{Jmj!i'ly.ThI'/jtS2

...
~
"

..
,
to l"L'qu~.:.;L• hat brig<U.k :) 001) n ~~r-.:J U,111;:1.: ~ a
iII~

ClrfflI'oIlllfl't'"M!vr"lIIfJ,lrJPrt! J7utl,I'foII'I"Ji'lXr~",," IJfII",;iIt~;;UIoo'L"rjlU~ mfimIL'ql'JI)1.iNflNlI"tNto!\JJmn

uithjIJ,·""""ri(jilll.,..rjln(l~'I1
ill' rMbombsll~ OIl!f.lllr'r1~'Jng moa. rt!1I.':I" ~ f:JZ65.!)

...
wL!h • he- I ncreust ~ rc-lca::.1: tile:! J:31d N{'W L7.0011rs, Til ts request B~t!<IljOlI~ .t\fld~' U nfonu
\~"t1C'

--.l-

--T,' ,
i 1\

1. '-.J.!"

fi:sl1ting

all around TL'fLl~ wiU1.

ills. perimeter. ceeer

he ot:Ilkti

J-IQ i1Q 23KI

gca I~ 11'!J I.L<.i ua 11011

'L'I.'-iL'i.

eo

con(lUoCl

:;!ItQ!.J

hy BrtSilldl'1!"r l-i,j].r~~st
~Ji.I!I~~rS.

bot h tne

22ml

and

011 r"C'illJr {'~UJ!:C't.I ordered ....l.t. the '

(h'Q)Ji)iilg
;5...

~II 0'11"" the I:J.rig~dC' ,')rea . I 10 condLt-L'l a loca I ,rtC' lNidg.e

• hen

ilLs C C..Qmp:my ':'UlllJOI1 or two ictLt ra i I!) re soon

(C~rt;)ln
tLiIib.

1-1. johnsen

caunl(."]"-illtilCk

.O\\ ...~~

over

111.(' 'Iavrcnnts. tllll: OOIm.~r. he lost till!:

Il.,"i eol)!, 111«":)", l

brocglu

!helr advance
grt:\\i' .1j1

to a h~1I :md

attack f,j]llcd. A~ I hi!" ~<ly wore on, the ~1I1J<!I.lon

{1JilW,Cl

graduaLLy \\"1.lr::.e for Andrtl\i".jJ~

""'i!h his Jorwn

rd \!til'

comps ntcs, was

tOKN.IlO

Mr.,"i"-' ills t.ud<j ceners

!J.3u;!Ilion. to With

1,0

reverse
..

~IoJlM of
• hi!'

Hut 107, nnrt the 'I.\,·lrell3"i.rommuntcanon

wuh hrig<ldc I-IQl!.rildu..ilJly detcrlctatcd

He ii:!;.IUiII«ll"lil~l ~rly
'If }'(HI

IlC rnigt'I' nave to wi,ll.urtll\·IHs.

rm,151.'

h'hi'C'11
all

hoi: re«'1'~

mU51.

)'OU

~19Ir~1 dld, however. aud 'hat 'hey

i 1"1

~Ignil] that two com panfea WEre nase.

,Mt(jI~"'"

lM!illg ~('n'

to J\J1oClr~

support.
:;!I

w'oule.) procft'd ~11e llOfle form bm tenons

I h~oi:r('jir~ deelded to b:;mg Ofl F.I~""'nett: greduatlv 3J.1,.IlIoa

I).

l'oI'hlt-c 10i'lgt'.:'

that commuelcancns bad eeen

IJ I"!(!.cor

\.,11 hh h

compenlcs mi&ll t be- rc-csteb! is..1led. unu tll.il1 some

i 11

of rtlic-r miS,li L arnve. k~P'L busy eu L h.ad Sthi.!"Tbe:n U~~ll~I"IL1otll

,he

b'rlI!1:3~ ttl~ a

fE'[!"

!ht" remer nlng

&'l1ned

com 001 of the sltnatlon. 2JRI ted Nc'\' that it was rrum

TIle New Z':-al..iJ.n.d'l.,[~had badly mauled I rlr<iiltrjl R:)I ~;)!lOI1;, IQ suppon the ~d>,
l'I;}tW-~1

uencn.
IlC

ami so
lCOC('j\'N

z.c.alilild

ColQj'ioel

F. Leckie. commentce

22l1d the

ir m."CdOO_ AL around OO1l1jJlg in were sertous, ano Wh11(! became

1~,Z5hIS Leckie

,,"e.~ge
about Q!.Jsk.

uuu

so far

repoers

Sil1u.faol;"lO:ry .1nd! !ll~ .::;till had rUr1h~r (HOOrs.)\~ to reinforce

.'I ltcrwards,

h""QlII(l (IInly

be

caned

upon

If tnc

snuauon

mi~!::iviJ,gs around

Andrt."w·~ s..i1L1L1 non,

hot

hcld

h ij 1)I%j\iOJl Capt<lln Captain

awaned
under I sh:i)I1ly

I\~ .o1,Q{loesp~~ch JL c.ompmy dC'Sj»toClhcd i L:S c-vn some B

under under

C. N. Watson

,11.1: Z2no:J<IS per 1-i'!J~::cst"s m{.'SS.iI&"C Am.lt'Cw. The 28m to

(Ma.ori) ucuencn

LlI:"1,J1 m Co.loflf.:1 G. Oi U m~ ena TIle same Colo.n~1

Comp.llly

Roya

\\'a~ tTUI:"or

the 2 I,I;LNew Z{!",LI];Jno:J In1a(ltIY

uanutlcn to when and

under Licutcuam

J,

M, ALL("I1,whose ol'(],(!tS .jjllol\W

ll.otKib!IUy as

\\'h~~

hoemlsht

..