So i have heard the German paratroops training was brutal but just what was it like? And was it more/less/equal to US paratrooper training?
Here's a brief video of some training [YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC-cIk3a0tg[/YOUTUBE] I also found this article on infantry training of the fallschirmjaeger. Lone Sentry: Ground Tactics of German Paratroops (WWII U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, June 1944) You might also check out this book at Amazon. Amazon.com: Hitler's Sky Warriors: German Paratroopers in Action, 1939-1945 (9781574885019):
thanks for the awesome links. I noticed a "kreta" band. Man a veteran Fallshcirmsjaeger would be a horrible enemy. Very interesting.
Judging by the use of the Savoia-Marchetti SM.82, I think this video was made after September, 1943, right? Does anyone have a more precise date?
I wonder if Ulrich would know?? I have talked to him about so many things I can't remember it all, but was thinking his grandfather was one. If not, he may know some links/videos etc. He's always very helpful. Try messaging Gebirgsjaeger. Krystal
I can tell you from the YouTube video link that Lou provided that the actual airborne training looks quite similar to American Airborne training. The differences I saw are due to differences in equipment. Their PLF's (parachute landing falls), which is one of the things they are practicing differs from the U.S. version because the German parachute suspends the parachutist in a different manner than the U.S. T-5. I can also tell you that the difference in the door exit position and method is also due to the differences in equipment (parachute and aircraft). I didn't see anything in the video that wasn't directly related to jump techniques.
I meant to add. Airborne units in all militaries tend to be some of the more elite units in their respective militaries. It is generally not due to the severity of the training, it has more to do with the type of individual soldier that airborne units attract.
My Grandpa was a member of the 2. Fallschirmjäger Division ( Thanks to Krystal she pointed me to this thread) and he told me that they had some sort of training that was a bit different to the Wehrmacht. They did the normally drop down training but later they had a daily ceremony after they were awaked and ready to go. He told me that the Sergeant gave a whistle and they jumped out of the windows from the first and second floor, made their role and started the day. They had a lot of combat training and marches, close combat training with knives and hands. Later when he was at Russia they where dropped out of an deep flying JU52 without an parachute in the deep snow. He also mentioned of an day at France where they had to test and show their new parachutes to their General, i mean it was Gen. Student, my Grandpa was on the ground and watched the guys jumping out of their aircrafts. But not a single parachute opened and they bounced a bit back after they hit the ground. I don´t know how many died at this day. Later they were told that the impregnation of the parachutes glued the parachute to an massive pack together that won´t open. USMCPrice is right with his opinion, the quality of special troops is made by the training but is based on the individual soldier that joined those units. They have an special character and not to say an special spirit.
Very interesting stuff, did they do much jump training after 1943 ?, do to the fact of petrol shortage and the need to be used as elite infantry.
Yes I agree, Hitler had them posted to the most dangerous jobs, the defence of Monte Casino, and other hills and villages in Italy, and they give a good account for themselves in Normandy, they even come across there nemisis the British Paras at opperation market garden, and the repect from both sets of Paras still remains strong today.
Why von Rundstedt mistrusted and failed to truly respect his Fuehrer. He missed so much of real value on the military or human issues.