Green Devils: German Paratrooper Elite 1933-1941

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Overview

First seeing action during Operation Weseruburg - the invasion of Denmark and Norway in April 1940 - the Green Devils were the 'fallschirmjaeger' (paratrooper) arm of the Luftwaffe and were to see extensive service in both air drop and ground roles, through to the war's end in 1945. The first paratrooper unit was raised in 1935 following the profound impression made upon the Germans by the early experiments with this new form of warfare conducted by the Soviets. This programme deals with the evolution of the paratrooper arm, and goes into depth about their important role in the invasion of the West in 1940.