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(Call it men's fiction, action-adventure, military thriller or even a war novel...but Hell and Gone is not about Iraq or Afghanistan.) |
ABOUT ELITE FORCESPARATROOPERSAxis powers developed airborne forces prior to WWII. The first wartime airborne operation was the German invasion of Crete. The Germans had neither the naval strength to challenge the British Mediterranian fleet, nor the type of craft neccesary for a conventional amphibious landing on the island. German paratroopers dropped in, secured an airfield, then enough troops were air-landed to subdue resistance. German casualties were stunning on Crete, but the British and Americans were impressed by the "vertical envelopement" tactic. Both countries developed their own airborne forces. The US Army boasted 5 airborne divisions during WWII (the 82nd "All-Americans," 101st "Screaming Eagles," 11th "Angels," 13th "Black Cats," and 17th "Thunder From Heaven") plus various parachute infantry regiments. Even the USMC had some "paramarines" augmenting the Army's 11th Airborne Division and 503rd P.I.R. in the island-hopping Pacific campaign. In addition to capturing islands where amphibious landings are not possible, expedient, or adequate enough by themselves (Crete; Sicily; Corrigidor; Grenada, etc.), paratroopers are used to capture bridges, airfields or other strategically important objectives (Normandy; Holland; Panama; Bashur; etc.). Obviously, they are dropped behind enemy lines. In most airborne operations, paratroopers must fight outnumbered and surrounded, with limited, or no, resupply. Airborne formations are built around "light" infantry units, but are augmented by organic artillery, engineer, aviation (rotary-wing) and even armored units, all parachute deployable. Paratroopers are not normally considered special operations forces, but they are elite forces with corresponding high standards in readiness, mobility and individual physical fitness. All SpecOps and commando units go through airborne training--both static line and HALO (high altitude, low opening). Unfortunately, the standards at the US Army's Airborne ("Jump") School at Fort Benning plummeted in the 1970s and 1980s, so that just about anyone can pass the course now. And they have. Jumpwings have become another "bolo badge" that officers and NCOs collect for promotion points. Now it's hard to find anyone in the Army over E-6 grade without jumpwings. It is, however, a whole 'nother matter to serve in the combat arms in an airborne unit--most of the soldiers wearing jumpwings today could not meet those standards. Keep Reading. |
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