Gebirgsjager : German Mountain Troops, 1935-1945

An overview of German Gebirgsj ger (Mountain Troops) from their formation in 1935 to the end of the Second World War.

The Gebirgsj ger were officially formed in 1935 following Hitler's rejection of the Treaty of Versailles, although the required skills had been fostered in preparation through civilian climbing clubs. They were recruited predominantly from the southern mountainous parts of Germany - Wurtemburg and Bavaria - and from Austria, where Alpinism and mountain warfare had a long tradition. Rigorously trained in skiing, climbing and other demanding skills of mountain survival and combat, they formed an elite within the German army, distinguished by the distinctive Eidelweiss cap badge adopted in 1939. Jean-Denis Lepage gives a concise history of the Gebirgsj ger's employment, which saw them in action on every front, from Lapland in the North to Tunisia in the south, and throught the war, from the invasion of Poland to the final defence of Germany. He then gives a detailed description of their uniforms and insignia, equipment, organization, training and tactics. The book is clearly illustrated throughout with over 170 of the author's own line drawings.