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This book begins with a quotation from Reichsmarschall with a portrait of him wearing a visor cap and a cape and carrying his Reichsmarschall baton. That is followed by a quotation and full body portrait of General der Flieger Student, followed by a large picture of a German parachutists qualification badge and the lyrics of "The Song of the Fallschirmjager".
The book then describes and shows the equipment, training, men and service of German paratroopers better than anything I've ever seen. Things like Fallschirmjager kneepads, gloves and even the soles of paratrooper boots are shown close-up.
There is a chapter on jump school training, one on packing parachutes, and the rest of the book is devoted to photos and history of German paratroopers in combat from Poland (Polen), Norway (Norwegen), Belgium (Belgien), Eben Emael, Greece (Griechenland), Korinth, Crete (Kreta), Athens, Malemes, Chanea, Newa Front Line in Russia, North Africa (Nordafrika), Tunis etc..
There is even a section on General Ramcke and his Fallschirmjager Brigade that served with the Afrikakorps under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.
At the end of the book there is a section on medals won by German paratroopers through the publication date of this book. Impressive figures for a small branch of service: 61 Knights Cross of the Iron Cross; 56 German Cross in Gold; over 5000 Iron Cross First Class and over 17000 Iron Cross Second Class! |
