Osprey Warrior 74 : Gebirgsjäger : German Mountain Trooper 1939-1945

Few branches of the German armed forces were represented on so many fronts as the mountain infantrymen, or Gebirgstruppen. From the Blitzkrieg campaigns of 1940, through the invasions of the Balkans and Russia and the North African campaign, to the defence of the Reich 1944-45, the Gebirgsjäger earned a reputation for reliability and courage. Typically each trooper was a supremely fit individual - the need to cover difficult terrain in full kit, without the backup of a motorized baggage train, demanded this. This book examines the recruitment, training, and combat experiences of the common Gebirgsjäger. Text by Gordon Williamson with illustrations by Darko Pavlovic.

Contents

• Introduction
• Chronology
• Enlistment
• Training
• Appearance and Equipment
• Everyday Life
• Experience of Battle
• Colour Plate Commentary
• Museums
• Collecting
• Re-Enactment
• Index