In every campaign from the opening of hostilities wherever fighting was bitter the Gebirgsjäger were there. Often they paved the way and led the storming advances or, when the German line was under pressure, held a rock- firm defence. The extremes of climate which they endured ranged from the deadly cold of the mountains during a Russian winter to the trek across the blazing arid slopes of the mountains of Crete to relieve the desperate parachute troops. The polar circle, the mountains of Tunisia, on step, in swamps or in the high country: all these varied terrains were fought over by the men from the Alpine regions of Germany and Austria. -- From the book jacket.

Includes maps of: Situation around Narvik, April 1940; Gebirgsjäger Movements, Crete, 1941; Encirclement at Uman - Situation at 22 July 1941; Fighting in Austria, 1945.

The Gebirgsjäger at war. The years 1935-1939. Poland, 1939 -- The year 1940. Norway -- The year 1941. The Balkan Campaign -- Crete -- Russia, 1941 -- Uman 1941 -- The year 1942. The Caucasus -- The years 1943-1944. Finland, 1944 -- The year 1945. Austria, 1945 -- Epilogue -- Organization. The order of battle of the Gebirgsjäger formations : Divisions, Corps, Armies and the Hochgebirgsjäger battalions of the German Army -- Divisions, Corps and the Tartar Brigade of the Waffen SS -- The organization, tactics and equipment of the Gebirgs units -- Mountain artillery -- Uniform and specialist equipment -- The senior commanders of Gebirgs formations of the Germany Army.