This book is the history of the only Fallschirmjäger-Bataillon of the Waffen-SS during World War II. Formed in 1943 as a Bewährungsverband for special missions (guerrilla operations in the Balkans) the unit was deployed at many focal points of heavy combat on the eastern and western fronts. Nearly destroyed at the Schwedt and Alt-Küstrinchen bridgeheads, the remainder pulled back to the west over Parchim at the end of April 1945 and entered U.S. captivity in May 1945. This is their story, including extremely rare photographs. SELLING POINTS: First English history of this obscure Waffen-SS paratroop unit; Operational history including the infamous "Tito" raid. Extremely rare photographs, maps, and recollections of unit vetrerans. 70 b/w images