Gebirgsjager by Gordon Williamson

Author:Gordon Williamson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gebirgsjäger: German Mountain Trooper 1939–45
ISBN: 9781782000082
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Transport by truck was an unaccustomed luxury for mountain troopers, who were more used to travelling by foot. The soldier in the centre of the rear of the truck wears the white armband with red cross emblem indicating his status as a Sanitäter.

The Army Mountain Troops

The first actions of World War II in which Gebirgsjäger were involved were those of the Polish campaign, with both 1 and 2 Gebirgs Divisions operating on the southern sector of the front with Heeresgruppe Süd. The mountain troops entered Poland from Slovakia and were instrumental in the capture of the Dukla Pass through the Carpathian mountains. From here the Gebirgsjäger raced towards the east, their goal the city of Lemberg some 150 miles distant along a single road. A detached Kampfgruppe spearheaded the advance, arriving at the city on 14 September. The mountain troops immediately set up their positions around the city, sealing in its garrison whilst holding off determined counter-attacks. The Polish troops fought with great determination and caused significant casualties to the Gebirgsjäger. The sudden invasion of Poland by Soviet troops from the east, however, put paid to the Polish will to resist, and before the Germans could launch their assault on the city, the garrison surrendered. Both sides had gained considerable respect for the tenacity and fighting spirit of the other, and as a token of respect the defenders would only agree to surrender their city to troops of 1 Gebirgs.

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