The world's first paratroopers to be used in large numbers, the German Fallschirmjäger were at the tip of the spear when war broke out in 1939. They led daring assaults on strategic targets, such as the fortress at Eben Emael, enabling the following panzers to overrun Europe.
As a paratrooper force the Fallschirmjäger's greatest achievement would be the intense fighting they performed as they seized Crete in the face of more numerous British and Commonwealth forces during 1941. This pyrrhic victory meant that they were never again used en masse.
Small units still operated by glider and parachute, famously rescuing Italian leader Mussolini, and raiding behind American lines in the Ardennes. Their finest hour would undoubtedly be the bitter fighting as they occupied the monastery at Monte Cassino for months in the face of overwhelming odds, earning themselves the nickname 'Green Devils'.
Box contents:
36 plastic Fallschirmjäger with a range of weapons including rifles, assault rifles, SMGs, light machine guns and Panzerfausts, plus options for command models - enough to build a Rifle Platoon with platoon commander.
Metal 81mm Mortar Team
Metal Panzerschreck, Flame-thrower and Sniper Teams
Metal 75mm PaK 40 anti-tank gun
Plastic Sd.Kfz 251 Ausf. D half-track with additional rear-facing MMG
Plastic StuG III Ausf G