Rudolf Witzig volunteered to serve with Germany's fledgling airborne forces in 1938, and fought with them throughout the Second World War. He is most famous for leading the dramatic glider assault on the Eban Emael fortress in May 1940, where a small number of men knocked out in hours what had been intended to frustrate a conventional army for weeks. He went on to take part in the successful but horrendously costly Battle of Crete, where he was seriously wounded and, in view of the almost complete casualties suffered by his unit, was fortunate to survive. On his recovery he participated in the protracted defence of Tunisia, before going on to conduct anti-partisan operations in France, followed by a spell on the Eastern Front and then becoming embroiled in a grim series of engagements across Holland to try and halt the British advance on the Rhine. Although Witzig is the central character of this book, with his concise, professional and carefully considered opinions distributed throughout, it is equally the story of his unit and indeed the Fallschirmjager in general, following their transformation from the pioneers of a new and devastatingly effective method of offensive war, to an elite infantry reserve who were frequently thrown into the line wherever the fighting was hardest and most critical.

Pegasus Archive

This is an easy and engaging book, taking the reader through the highs and lows of the German experience during the war. Whilst it might be thought that Witzig's life and battles would appeal mainly to those who are interested in the German forces of the Second World War, it is a surprisingly accessible book that can be enjoyed by all.

Britain at War

This book is a gripping biography, providing a tough, gritty and compelling study of a German soldier.

Firetrench

Villahermosa provides readers with a unique, well-written and impeccably researched account of the Third Reich’s evolving fortunes as witnessed on numerous battlefronts by a highly decorated Fallschirmjäger officer.

Mark J. Reardon, author of 'Defending Fortress Europe: The War Diary of the German 7th Army in Normandy, 6 June to 26 July 1944'

‘Gil Villahermosa's tough, gritty and compelling study of Rudolf Witzig is much more than a gripping biography of a brilliant tactical leader. Through the lens of one soldier's career, Villahermosa takes the reader on a journey across an entire army's transition, struggle and rebirth.
Witzig was a student of life and leadership who found a niche in an institution with a rich and honourable history. Yet this army was also the instrument of a dark force that nearly destroyed Europe. Witzig demonstrated his tactical brilliance literally from the first days of WWII. He was an innovator who proved the worth of airborne troops in lightning fast strikes that became headline news around the world. As Hitler's war dragged on, however, his troops struggled in combat operations ill-suited for light forces and his life became a struggle to keep his men alive day to day. And deep down, he knew that if he survived the war, his family might not.
Villahermosa takes the reader across a sweeping stage of world war, following Witzig to its bitter end and eventual rise to prominence in Germany's new Bundeswehr. Gil artfully describes the rise of the post-war German military, its organization and efforts to strip it of politics against the backdrop of the Cold War. Focusing on Witzig the innovator, Villahermosa highlights his demand for the tough combat-like training that led to the end of his career after a tragic accident in a late 1950's field exercise.
This superbly crafted biography deserves a place on every soldier's bookshelf.’

LTC Edward G. Miller (US Army Ret), author of A Dark and Bloody Ground and Nothing Less than Full Victory

For those who think World War II is an exhausted subject, one has only to read Gilberto Villahermosa’s superb Hitler’s Paratrooper, to be set right. Here is the biography of Rudolf Witzig, the German paratrooper engineer, more praised by Germany’s enemies for his valour and skill, than any other in his elite fraternity. As a 23-year old lieutenant, Witzig planned and executed the brilliant seizure of the key Belgium fortress of Eban Emael, smashing the key bolt in the enemy’s defences and allowing the Wehrmacht to shatter the Allies. He fought in every theatre except the Arctic, rising to command a regiment and finally in the Netherlands where the enemy attributed much of their frustration to this Teutonic warrior’s leadership. No student of the Second World War should fail to add this fine book to his library.’

Peter G. Tsouras, author of Disaster at Stalingrad: An Alternate History

‘The German Parachute Forces of the Second World War were shaped by daring and charismatic leaders. Among these, few were more flamboyant than Rudolf Witzig. Gilberto Villahermosa’s book provides a valuable study of Witzig’s military and personal achievements. A must-read for everybody interested in the topic of German Fallschirmjäger in the Second World War.’

Volker Griesser, author of The Lions of Carentan

‘A solid history of Germany’s paratrooper force in World War II . . . well-illustrated with photos provided to the author by Witzig and his family.’

World at War magazine

‘Gil Villahermosa's tough, gritty and compelling study of Rudolf Witzig is much more than a gripping biography of a brilliant tactical leader. Through the lens of one soldier's career, Villahermosa takes the reader on a journey across an entire army's transition, struggle and rebirth.
Witzig was a student of life and leadership who found a niche in an institution with a rich and honourable history. Yet this army was also the instrument of a dark force that nearly destroyed Europe. Witzig demonstrated his tactical brilliance literally from the first days of WWII. He was an innovator who proved the worth of airborne troops in lightning fast strikes that became headline news around the world. As Hitler's war dragged on, however, his troops struggled in combat operations ill-suited for light forces and his life became a struggle to keep his men alive day to day. And deep down, he knew that if he survived the war, his family might not.
Villahermosa takes the reader across a sweeping stage of world war, following Witzig to its bitter end and eventual rise to prominence in Germany's new Bundeswehr. Gil artfully describes the rise of the post-war German military, its organization and efforts to strip it of politics against the backdrop of the Cold War. Focusing on Witzig the innovator, Villahermosa highlights his demand for the tough combat-like training that led to the end of his career after a tragic accident in a late 1950's field exercise.
This superbly crafted biography deserves a place on every soldier's bookshelf.’

LTC Edward G. Miller (US Army Ret), author of A Dark and Bloody Ground and Nothing Less than Full Victory

For those who think World War II is an exhausted subject, one has only to read Gilberto Villahermosa’s superb Hitler’s Paratrooper, to be set right. Here is the biography of Rudolf Witzig, the German paratrooper engineer, more praised by Germany’s enemies for his valour and skill, than any other in his elite fraternity. As a 23-year old lieutenant, Witzig planned and executed the brilliant seizure of the key Belgium fortress of Eban Emael, smashing the key bolt in the enemy’s defences and allowing the Wehrmacht to shatter the Allies. He fought in every theatre except the Arctic, rising to command a regiment and finally in the Netherlands where the enemy attributed much of their frustration to this Teutonic warrior’s leadership. No student of the Second World War should fail to add this fine book to his library.’

Peter G. Tsouras, author of Disaster at Stalingrad: An Alternate History

‘The German Parachute Forces of the Second World War were shaped by daring and charismatic leaders. Among these, few were more flamboyant than Rudolf Witzig. Gilberto Villahermosa’s book provides a valuable study of Witzig’s military and personal achievements. A must-read for everybody interested in the topic of German Fallschirmjäger in the Second World War.’

Volker Griesser, author of The Lions of Carentan

‘Villahermosa provides readers with a unique, well-written and impeccably researched account of the Third Reich’s evolving fortunes as witnessed on numerous battlefronts by a highly decorated Fallschirmjäger officer.’

Mark J. Reardon, author of Defending Fortress Europe: The War Diary of the German 7th Army in Normandy, 6 June to 26 July 1944

‘A solid history of Germany’s paratrooper force in World War II . . . well-illustrated with photos provided to the author by Witzig and his family.’

World at War magazine

Through his explication of Witzig's life and career (the author) presents a solid history of Germany's paratrooper force in World War II. At the same time, Villahermosa (himself a US Army airborne soldier) never loses the thread of Witzig's individual endeavours . . . The book is also well illustrated with photos provided to the author by Witzig and his family.

Ty Bomba, World at War magazine