Einsatzgruppe A Formed
Reichsfuhrer Himmler today personally selected the soldiers that will form the core of the new SS Einsatzgruppe. Members of the Luftwaffe's parachute and glider regiments, the Kriegsmarine's Flottenkommandos, and distinguished soldiers of the Wehrmacht and SS divisions were brought together for the selection process; eventually, a group of 100 were selected for further examination and trials. Eventually, military leaders hope to form a 600 man detachment of these highly skilled soldiers for special missions in enemy territory.
As the selection and training process continues, voulinteers will be periodically selected from the armed services and considered for training and placement within the einsatzgruppe.
(These soldiers are a different breed than the Einsatzgruppe the Nazis employed in WWII. The decision was made for a unified special operations command, fitting with the OKW's "single force command" view of directing the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These troops are precursors to modern Special Forces, not death squads... although they may eventually find themselves placed in that position.)
A little more information on the requirements for selection:
1) Must be parachute qualified. Individuals will have the opportunity to complete parachute training after the selection process if they show merit in other areas or if approved by OKW Chief of Staff.
2) Must be proficient in marine operations, including swimming, rafting, and navigation (day and night). Specialized training will be provided to selected participants, but a basic knowlege in these areas is required.
3) Must speak, or be capable of speaking, clear, unaccented English, French, and Italian. Desired languages include Russian, Arabic, and Central European dialects.
4) Must posess a basic familiarity with domestic and foreign weapons, including pistols, rifles, machine guns, and explosives.
There are also physical requirements, but those aren't of primary importance. These are the most notable traits that will be looked for.
Walmington on Sea
08-01-2004, 10:18
(Tag)
Hm. SOW doesn't want a rival, damn it!
Iansisle
08-01-2004, 10:20
taggination
(drat! WoS beat me to it!)
Oh, they're not supermen or anything like that. Just a small special operations group that could be useful to, oh I don't know... the Abwehr? And they'd make great insurgents or guerillas if dropped into a foreign country.
No, they're the special ops ground who drops behind an enemy army while his main army is engaging their front. The paratroopers cause hell in their rear and cut off their retreat. At least... that's how i'd use them. They're too valuable to be used as splinter ops.
No, they're the special ops ground who drops behind an enemy army while his main army is engaging their front. The paratroopers cause hell in their rear and cut off their retreat. At least... that's how i'd use them. They're too valuable to be used as splinter ops.
I've already got troops to fill that niche. Luftwaffe parachute and glider troops would be dropped behind the front lines. The Einsatzgruppe would infiltrate the enemy lines, disguised in enemy uniforms and carrying enemy weapons and gear. Since they are fluent in the enemy's native language (and can speak without a tell-tale German accent) they would have a good chance of passing unnoticed untill they can reach the enemy's rear and do some serious damage. The Germans employed this in both World Wars, with varying degrees of success.
Oops, logged in as my other nation by mistake.