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Brandenburgers - The Third Reich's Special Forces

$24.95

Spearhead - Book 13
Author - Ian Westwell
Published in 2003 by Ian Allen Publishing, UK
Softcover, 96 Pages
Size - 25cm * 19cm

Special forces were essential components of Blitzkrieg. In the early war years the Brandenburgers performed this role - highly trained commandos under the control of the Abwehr, Germany's intelligence service.

They were tasked with capturing key strategic points by whatever means necessary - sometimes using the enemy's uniforms. They saw action from the start of the Polish campaign and went on to take part in operations in Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium, the Balkans, Russia, Africa and the Aegean.

Formed into the Brandenburg Division in September 1944 as a result of politics between the Abwehr and the SS, many joined Otto Skorzeny's Waffen-SS unit, which took over the Brandenburgers' special duties and whose history is also covered in this book.

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

Ian Westwell has worked in publishing for more than fifteen years and has been a full-time freelance author since 1997. He has contributed to several military books and periodicals and has most recently co-authored World War One Day By Day, Spearhead 6 1st Infantry Division and Spearhead 12 US Rangers

Fully Illustrated with B&W photos, 10 colour drawings and 20 maps