German Airborne Troops 1939-45 (Men-at-Arms) [Paperback]

Bruce Quarrie (Author), Mike Chappell (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Men-at-Arms | Publication Date: March 24, 1983

Airborne operations have often been called a vertical envelopment, and therein lies one of the best descriptions of their value. The essence of an envelopment is to pin the enemy in place so that it can be destroyed. A strong enemy force to one's rear disrupts supplies and communications and makes one more vulnerable to an attack from the front. It also has a major psychological impact. To an aggressor the value of airborne troops, used properly, far outweighs their numerical strength. Bruce Quarrie's engaging text tells the story of the German airborne troops of the Second World War.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

About the Author

Bruce Quarrie graduated with honours from Cambridge University in 1968 and started work as a journalist with the Financial Times. He wrote his first book, on wargaming, in 1974. Bruce's principal interest was in World War II, and his definitive Encyclopedia of the German Army was even translated and published in German. Bruce passed away on 4 September 2004.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (March 24, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850454808
• ISBN-13: 978-0850454802
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.1 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #757,999 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good and comprehensive snapshot of Luftwaffe paratroopers., August 28, 2010

By 

C. W. Carter "World War Two historian" (Fargo, North Dakota) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: German Airborne Troops 1939-45 (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

I liked this book by Bruce Quarrie because it provides a detailed yet concise look at Luftwaffe airborne infantry operations. Everything from training, operations, uniforms and equipment is covered well considering its 40 page length. The color plates by Mike Chappell are well done. Parachute design was well described, emphasizing the difference in the approach taken by the Allies and Germans. Until I read this book, I never knew the Luftwaffe paratrooper could jump at altitudes as low as 250 feet, thereby considerably reducing hang time and exposure to enemy fire. Bruce Quarrie illustrated the dual role played by the Luftwaffe paratroopers. Specialized, tactical operations like the attack on Eben Emael in Belgium or the Gran Sasso raid where Mussolini was rescued was one, the other was the spearhead role as the break-in force for the Wehrmacht in Norway and at Crete. Indeed, the author directly highlighted the Pyrrhic nature of the German paratrooper success at Crete as the first and last use of successful strategic deployment of airborne infantry. After reading this book, it seems strange to me that the Allies actually went through with Operation Market Garden after the results at Crete. Stranger still is the fact that after Crete and Operation Market Garden, airborne infantry were again given an impractical task in the Cold War and basically the same result happened in Vietnam.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written and well illustrated, May 2, 2008

By 

James D. Crabtree "Doc Crabtree" (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: German Airborne Troops 1939-45 (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

Yet another great work from Osprey, this is more than a book on uniforms it also gives some interesting details about how German airborne technology differed from that of the Allies, an aside that I found very interesting. It provides some excellent information on the airborne order of battle and describes the typical weapons used by the fallschirmjager. The book even gives a thumbnail description of some of the key actions in which German airborne forces took part. Definitely a good reference to have if you are interested in airborne operations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blitzkrieg from the sky, February 22, 2011

By 

ThorBjorn "Norseman" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: German Airborne Troops 1939-45 (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

The airborne infantry concept:
-The Italians were the first to seriously experiment with it.
-The Soviet Union was the first to establish airborne units, and furthered the concept by practicing massive deployments of infantry parachuting from aircraft.
-It was Germany that first used airborne troops in battle, ...and in a most spectacular manner!

Osprey gives us a great introduction to the Fallschirmjager. Whether parachuting from Junkers-52, or landing in gliders, the Fallschirmjagern were a deadly opponent when they landed.

They shocked the world with their glider assault on the Belgian fortress of Eben Emael. They shocked the world again with Otto Skorzeny's raid on the Gran Sasso hotel to rescue Musolini. The Allies gained inspiration to form their own airborne units, based on actions against the Fallschirmjagern in places such as the Netherlands, Norway, and Crete.

The Fallschirmjagern were also a great spur to the advancement of all manner of military arms and gear, pioneering the use of specially made helmets, uniforms, weapons, ...and new tactical concepts.