Wilhelm Bittrich, a German leader during Operation Market Garden, once commented on the British paratroopers at Arnhem saying, “In all my years as a soldier, I have never seen men fight so hard.” This is just one instance of bravery and dedication that paratroopers exhibited on a consistent basis throughout World War II. Paratroopers were an elite infantry force that went through some of the toughest training their military had to offer in order to perform well during any and all operations. They were new, experimental divisions with little real experience or support from their superiors. Because of this, they were used to complement and assist the army most of the time, but there were still some decisive battles that were the work of …show more content…
It was the first mainly airborne invasion in history and the first time time the Fallschirmjäger were used on massive scales. The Germans started an invasion by air on 20 May 1941 and were met with heavy resistance from Allied forces, Greeks, and civilians in Crete. This was also the first time the Germans had met significant resistance from the civilian population. After day one, things weren’t looking good for the Germans, they had suffered heavy casualties and it looked as if the Allies would win. However, due to poor communication, an airfield fell to the Germans and they were able to get reinforcements and take control of the island. Hitler didn’t really see this as a victory though and forbade large scale airborne operations after that. This operation was when the world got to really see paratroopers for the first time and encouraged them to create their own paratrooper divisions.
Another decisive victory for the German Fallschirmjäger was at Fort Eben-Emael, a part of the Battle of Belgium. For Eben-Emael was a Belgian fortress that a German Fallschirmjäger assault force was tasked with capturing. Its artillery pieces dominated several bridges that the Germans needed to take in order to advance into Belgium. They attacked both the fort and the bridges at once, successfully taking over and then protected them against Belgian counterattacks until ground reinforcements came. This
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Paratroopers proved their worth over and over again on the battlefield throughout World War II during intense battles and operations. Because of their training and equipment, paratroopers from both sides were able to draw upon the skills they had learned and use what they had to their advantage. Each country utilized their airborne division in different ways, but despite the differences, each gained victories through their actions. If paratroopers had not been used during this war the way that they were, key events that turned the tide would never have happened or wouldn’t have had the same effects. Because of their utilization, equipment, and training, paratroopers played a huge role in the outcome of World War II. Works Cited
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Throughout the battle, you see numerous Army Values and Warrior Ethos being used. “I will never leave a fallen comrade”, was the etho used the most, to reach the separated platoon. The battle also shows that not all tactical orders are effective, but as a leader you must never second guess yourself.
Lyons, Michael J. World War II - A Short History. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education,
"First World War.com - Feature Articles - Life in the Trenches." First World War.com - A Multimedia History of World War One. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Mar. 2011. .
Band of Brothers is a fascinating book that captures moments lived by soldiers during World War II. It specifically relates to the History of a small unit of paratroopers known as Easy Company, 506 Regiment, 101st Airborne. It is a story that follows the company from its inception to the capture of Hitler’s nest. It begins with the training of these soldiers at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. The 140 members of easy company who were young men from different social levels were physically and mentally trained. This particular company had an extremely harsh training, but many believe it is because of this training that they were considered as one of the best rifle companies in the army.
The conception of the idea to establish a special elite unit in the Army and the subsequent implementation took place between March and July 1942. This period was characterized by extensive research by a British scientist and extensive analysis by United States commanders. The special unit started their training in Montana at Fort William Henry Harrison before moving to other areas such as Camp Bradford and Fort Ethan Allen in Vermont. The forces lasted for the period between July 1942 and December 19441. The unit had three battalions made up of Canadian and American volunteers who engaged in intensive training in skiing, parachuting, amphibian warfare, mountain and demolition operations among other specialized skills. The elite forces were distinct, from their bi-national uniform to their specialized fighting skills. The soldiers engaged in war in Italy and Southern France before their disbandment late 19441.
In conclusion, the training seemed easy for them once they learned their right and left, they learned faster than the white. Going into battle they were brave men and risked their life in order to win. Thomas was not the bravest but kept his respect toward Colonel Shaw even though he was treated bad. Private trip was the bully in this movie and was the one who made a major impact in the movie. As to Colonel Shaw, he made the major change from being the soldier in the army to being the leader of the army. They were all defeated, and Thomas, Private Trip, and Colonel Shaw died. They made history but we still believe they were the bravest men during the war.
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Even though half of a century separates us from the unforgettable event, it left horrible memories especially in those who saw, felt and experienced World War II which was waged on land, on sea, and in the air all over the earth for approximately six years. Whether it’s a battle, hospital, or holocaust, there are so many stories from the survivors, who can teach us not only about the profession of arms, but also about military preparations, global strategies and combined operations in the coalition war against fascism.
...s in 'Y' Service." Letter. 14 Mar. 2004. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. BBC WW2 People's War. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.
...ings by then, whose memories, fears, and enthusiasms should not be remembered." Thus, unlike the title suggests, this remarkable war memoir is not about one soldier. Instead it refers to the entire German army who were defeated by the Allies. Although the German cause was very controversial, these gentlemen bravely fought for their country. Many men died, many were mutilated, and many more had to forever live with the atrocities they encountered. At war's end, however, they were merely "forgotten" for their failure of success. And although The Forgotten Soldier is an astonishing account of the horrors of infantry warfare, it serves a much greater purpose. It allows the historian to glance into the German experience and realize they too were young men fighting because their nation called upon them, and they deserve to be remembered for such a courageous act.
Stroebel, Jeffrey T. World War II. Part I: Between the Wars. The Sycamore School, 1995. Revised 1998.
O’Neill, William L. World War II A Student Companion. 1 ed. William H. Chafe. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.
Easy Company from its inception in July of 1942 to its disbandment at the end of World War II was an elite paratrooper force made up of “voluntary citizen soldiers” meaning they were in Easy Company of their own accord and for the most part where all previously not in any form of military. (Ambrose p. 16-17) "Easy company included three rifle platoons and a headquarters section. Each platoon contained three twelve-man rifle squads and a six-man mortar team squad.” Easy also had one machine gun attached to each of its rifle squads, and a 60mm mortar in each mortar team. The training they would endure was much more rigorous, as the conditions would be more perilous, “of the 500 officers who had volunteered, only 148 successfully completed the course. The enlisted men had it equally tough, with only 1,800 men being selected out of 5,300 volunteers” (Ambrose, 18) this left them feeling that themselves and the man watching their back would be much more prepared for battle than your average draftee.
Gascoigne, Bamber. "World War II - The Blitz." History World. (2001): n. page. Web. 29 Sep. 2011. .