Freetime Books | New Books - Fast Delivery | 5th Gebirgsjager Division

5th Gebirgsjager Division - Hitler's Mountain Warfare Specialist

$24.95

Spearhead - Book 17
By Michael Sharpe
Published in 2005 by Ian Allen Publishing, UK
Softcover, 96 Pages
Size - 25cm * 19cm

The 5th Gebirgsjager Division was formed in autumn 1940 and spent the first few months of its life training in the Bavarian Alps. It first saw action in the Balkans, where it played a prominent role in the smashing of the Metaxas defence lines and the defeat of the Greek and Commonwealth forces.

It was chosen as the air-landing component of XI Airborne Corps for Operation Merkur - the attack on Crete - remaining on the island as an occupation force until it was sent to the Leningrad front in March 1942. In December 1943 the division was transferred to Italy and distinguished itself many times during the battles for the Gustav and Gothic defence lines. 5th Gebirgsjager was the last mountain division to fight in high Alpine terrain during the attack on Roc Belleface; it marched into American captivity just north of Turin.

Spearhead looks at the cutting edge of war, units capable of operating completely independently in the forefront of battle. The series examines the unit's:

* Origins and history
* Organisation, order of battle and how this changed
* Battle history, theatre by theatre
* Insignia and Markings
* Top people biographies of commanders and personalities

Each book ends with an assessment of unit effectiveness – as seen by itself, its opponents and the wider viewpoint of history – and a full reterence section including:

* Critical bibliography
* Relevant museums or exhibits
* Website links
* Re-enactment groups
* Memorials

About the author

Michael Sharpe has written and contributed to many aviation and military titles since becoming a freelance writer. After a childhood spent on the air bases where his RAF father worked, it is unsurprising that postwar aviation subjects were his first love. Since going freelance, however, his main area of interest has been German World War II units and he has contributed to Spearhead series titles on Grossdeutschland, Leibstandarte and Das Reich.

Fully Illustrated with B&W photos, 7 colour photos and 6 colour maps.