Specialist training bred hardened fighters and the Gebirgsjäger (mountain infantry) were regarded as elite alongside Fallschirmjager. Gebirgsjäger originated from the Alpenkorps of WWI, where they were used to defend the mountain passes from their Italian equivalent, Alpini.Their symbol was the edelweiss, a flower that they also traditionally wore in their caps and collars, adopted in 1907 it eventually became the universal emblem worn by all mountain troops. The flower only grows at higher altitudes and means "noble purity."Specially trained to operate in mountainous and other difficult terrain and extreme climatic conditions, Gebirgsjäger divisions were used in virtually every theatre from Poland, Norway, Africa, Crete and the Balkans, and Soviet Russia throughout the war.As the Allied forces pushed ever onward toward the German homeland, Gebirgsjäger would often fight alongside regular infantry. Particularly in the final months of the war, when the quality of new conscripts was poor, Gebirgsjäger would often be relied upon to defend strategically critical areas.In Bolt ActionThese elite troops are classed as Veterans, 1 NCO and 4 men armed with rifles start at 65 points.Options include the usual submachine guns for the NCO and 1 man, or a light machine gun upgrade for 1 man and a loader. Add on 5 further men, Anti tank Grenades, and/or skis and they really start giving you a very hard hitting and mobile force for winter themed battles. The Skis special rule is a great extra, allowing them to ignore movement penalties on snow and other winter conditions!
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