Airborne warfare - the deployment of large numbers of troops by parachute and glider - reached its zenith during World War II - the only war in which its potential prizes ever justified its great costs, material and human. It required wholly new equipment and tactics; offered a new capability - to insert whole divisions behind enemy lines by surprise at great risks. This book will explain and compare the differences in doctrine, organization, equipment and employment of US, British, German and Soviet airborne forces as they developed during the war; and will examine one major operation by each.

Author Biography

Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a special operations forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Centre for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas, USA.