Fallschirmjäger
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The Fallschirmjäger were the airborne forces branch of the Luftwaffe before and during World War II. They were the first paratroopers to be committed in large-scale airborne operations. They were comm
A paratroop crew firing a mortar
Burning German Junkers Ju 52s at Ypenburg, Netherlands, in 1940
Fallschirmjäger landing on Crete in 1941
German paratroopers prepare to be flown to the Greek island of Leros in 1943.
Battle of Crete
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The Battle of Crete, codenamed Operation Mercury, was a major Axis airborne and amphibious operation during World War II to capture the island of Crete.
Fallschirmjäger
…carried out airborne operations in the early stages of the war, including the successful capture of Fort Ében-Émael in Belgium. It later fought in the Battle of Crete but after heavy losses there, Hitler refused to consider using his troops in a significant airborne role again. It became the 1st Parachute Division…
Major-general Freyberg (right), Allied commander at the Battle of Crete
A Fallschirmjäger and a DFS 230 glider in Crete
German mountain troops board a Junkers Ju 52 for Crete, 20 May 1941.