40. Fallschirmjägerbataillon Willi Sänger

40. Fallschirmjägerbataillon Willi Sänger was the only airborne infantry formation of the Nationale Volksarmee (NVA). The battalion and it's airborne-commando school was based in Prora at the Rügen island 1961-82 and near Potsdam 1982-90.

Training

All of the battalions personal where volunteers who had to pas many selection-test's before beeing exepted to the commando-course. Every year a few hundered volunteered for a place in the unit, only 8-10% are left when all selections and test's are finished. Of these only a handfull pas the commando-course and can continue with further training. In time of war the battalion should be used as a light commando unit to infiltrate and sabotage NATO command structures and supply routes.

Organisation

Official the battalion was a airborne unit organized as a NVA light infantry battalion, but in real it was more considered a special force commando unit like US Army Special Forces. On mission the companies of the battalion was to be split up in to five-six man teams to increase it's shadowbileaty. As an force with special capability it remains under the direct command of the Kommando Landstreitkräfte (KdoLaSK) - the army high command.

Uniform & Weapons

The battalion used the same tartan camouflage as regular NVA troops, but the battle dress was specially made to meet the demands of the units needs. With that followed a special ranger-pack made for light unit combat, jump-boots and helmet. The paratroopers had also their own arm-of-service colour - in this case red-orange. This colour was displayed on their collar, shoulder, cuff and beret. But in field they used a much quiter grey-brown beret who where more tactical.

The paratroopers used practical the same weapons as the rest of the army (Landstreitkräfte).

Makarov PM semi-automatic pistol

AK-74 automatic carbine

RPD light machinegun

PKM light machinegun

Dragunov SVD semi-automatic sniper rifle

RPG-7D light AT-weapon specially made for airborne combat

The battalion had just a few vehicles in form of jeeps and motorcycles, but in a mission the need of vehicles isn't big when their airsupport (transportplanes and helicopters) often deployed them near their target.