Airborne World War II Paratroopers in combat

by Moreman, Tim; Smith, Carl; Rottman, Gordon L.; Quarrie, Bruce; Antill, Peter; Guard, Julie

• ISBN13: 9781846031960
• ISBN10: 1846031966
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2007-07-24
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

Airborne warfare reached its peak during World War II - the only war in which the potential gains of using airborne tactics ever justified the great costs, both material and human. The revolutionary developments in tactics and equipment meant that whole divisions could now be inserted behind enemy lines to make surprise attacks. This book gives an overview of airborne warfare during World War II. It not only looks at the German, American and British paratroopers involved in the war, covering their recruitment, training, tactics and battle conduct, but also takes an in-depth look at the battles they fought in Crete, Arnhem and Utah Beach.

Author Biography

Peter D. Antill has a BA in International Relations and an MSc in Strategic Studies. He worked as a Research Assistant in the Department of Defence Management and Security Analysis at Cranfield from 1998 to 2002.
Dr Stephen Badsey is a specialist on the history of military ideas and the role of the media in warfare and has written and published widely making frequent contributions as a historian for television and other media.
Tim Moreman has lectured in the Department of War Studies at King's College London, has written a number of books and articles, and has been a historical adviser for the BBC.
The late Bruce Quarrie's principal interest was in World War II, his definitive Encyclopedia of the German Army was translated and published in German. Len Deighton described him as 'one of our most meticulous and well-informed historians'.
Gordon L. Rottman served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments. He is now a full-time author.
Carl Smith is a specialist writer of many years' experience and has worked for several popular military magazines and written a number of books.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Airborne Warfare Tactics	p. 6
German Airborne Forces
Fallschirmjager	p. 48
Crete 1941	p. 76
US Airborne Forces
US Paratrooper	p. 130
D-Day 1944	p. 170
British Airborne Forces
British Paratroopers	p. 218
Arnhem 1944	p. 248
Conclusion	p. 294
Bibliography and Further Reading	p. 296
Index	p. 298
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