KSK is part of an army unit for conducting military operations in the framework of crisis prevention and crisis confrontation, as well as in the framework of the defense of the country and the defense of the allied NATO states;
The tasks of the KSK include:
Military and technical reconnaissance behind enemy lines, or in conditions of penetration into guarded objects and conducting sabotage measures on their territory;
Operations to eliminate the leaders and senior military ranks of the enemy, headquarters, communications systems and infrastructure of the military leadership;
Controlling missile and air strikes directed deep into the enemy's territory (marking the target with a laser). Interaction with other parts of the armed forces;
Rescue and release of own and allied soldiers;
Confronting the actions of similar anti-sabotage and anti-terrorist units deep behind enemy lines;
From the expanded range of assignments, special forces receive new special assignments that cannot be performed by ordinary army units due to their specifics or insufficient training.
A little about the rangers
Let's start by not confusing military rangers with forestry workers. They are also called gamekeepers, only their tasks are slightly different.
Initially, the huntsman (German Jäger) is a hunter, a shooter. And in order to understand the essence of the application of this concept to the military, it will be necessary to return to the 18th or even the 17th century. We must remember that at that time the battles looked very different than in our time. Rows of soldiers lined up opposite each other and exchanged volleys of rifles. Smoothbore weapons provided very low accuracy, and that is why only volleys of a large group of soldiers could be considered effective. In addition, black powder created a lot of smoke, and after the very first volleys from both sides, the battlefield was completely hidden under clouds of black smoke. With the invention of rifled weapons and smokeless powder, the situation is beginning to change. At the same time, the concept of light infantry began to form. Small detachments armed with rifled weapons for accurate shooting, designed for reconnaissance, ambushing and imposing battle on large enemy forces, followed by a quick retreat for redeployment. As history says, this innovation was initially noted in several regions of Germany and later spread to the armies of other countries. Such detachments were recruited mainly by hunters who, from childhood, walked through the forests and knew how to move almost silently and imperceptibly. In addition, most of them were excellent marksmen, which made it possible to use squads to target the destruction of the enemy command or weakly defended detachments, such as sappers or engineers.
World War I
At the beginning of the 20th century, Jaeger units existed in the Imperial German Army, the Austro-Hungarian, Swedish, Dutch and Norwegian armies. They also include British rifles, chasseur in France and cacciatori in Italy, or units called light infantry in other armies. Service in the light infantry was considered quite prestigious and in most armies of the world training, equipment and the role of rangers differed from ordinary infantry units, although it was associated with the tactics of the line infantry.
In peacetime, the Prussian army had one Imperial Guards Jaeger Battalion (Garde-Jäger-Bataillon) and 12 line Jäger battalions. With the outbreak of the First World War and the announcement of general mobilization, 12 additional battalions were created. In May 1915, the Jaeger battalions were combined into Jaeger regiments and at the end of 1917 the German Jaeger Division was formed.
In the early stages of World War I, the Germanic Jaegers mostly performed their traditional roles of skirmishers and scouts, often in conjunction with the cavalry. With the beginning of the trench troops, they were assigned to the ordinary infantry and in fact lost their special status of independent troops.
The Second World War
After the end of the First World War, the German Imperial Army was disbanded, but its traditions passed to the infantry regiments of the 100 thousandth Reichswehr of the Weimar Republic, and later, with the Nazis coming to power and the beginning of the rearmament of Germany, the Wehrmacht revived the name of the rangers for use in several branches of the army.
- in 1935, the first special mountain infantry regiments were formed under the name Gebirgsjäger (German “mountain infantry”)
- With the beginning of the formation of the first parachute regiments in the Luftwaffe in the late 30s, the first airborne regiment Fallschirm-Jäger-Regiment 1 was also created. Thus, the German parachutists became known as Fallschirmjäger (German: Fallschirm - parachute)
- two ski (Skijäger) regiments were formed in 1943 as part of the Skijäger-Brigade later reformed into the Skijäger-Division
- several infantry divisions were created as light infantry (leichte Infanterie-Divisionen) at the end of 1940. Their main purpose was to conduct hostilities in the complex landscape of the southern territories of Eastern Europe. These infantry regiments were called Jäger-Regimenter.
- Wehrmacht anti-tank divisions, originally called Panzer-Abwehr-Abteilungen (anti-tank battalions), were renamed Panzerjäger-Abteilungen (tank hunters) in the early 40s. They were armed with towed or self-propelled guns. Later, the anti-tank forces were armed with tank destroyers known as the Jagdpanzer or Panzerjäger.
- the military police of the Wehrmacht, known as the Feldgendarmerie. In December 1943, a new military police force was formed, directly subordinate to the Army High Command. These units were called Feldjäger-Kommandos and were subordinate to regiments and battalions of feldjäger (Feldjäger)
After World War II and today
The German Bundeswehr dropped the name Feldgendarmerie and instead left the name Feldjäger for its military police. In addition, measures were taken to emphasize the traditions of the Prussian Reitendes Feldjägerkorps, and not the Wehrmacht police officers of the Feldeger of the Bundeswehr, dressed in a red beret with a cockade depicting the star of the Order of the Black Eagle, the highest order of the Prussian army.
In addition, the light infantry of the Bundeswehr became known as Jäger and received a green beret with a cockade depicting oak leaves. Fallschirmjäger, Gebirgsjäger and Panzerjäger also remained in the ranks and retained their roles of the landing, mountain rangers and anti-tank troops (later becoming not infantry, but armored forces).
Modern Jäger troops differ as:
- Jäger - light infantry for difficult terrain where motorized infantry vehicles are useless. The green beret described above is worn with a cockade.
- Fallschirmjäger - paratroopers, mainly for airmobile operations. They wear a red beret with their own unique badge.
- Gebirgsjäger - light infantry for highlands and difficult terrain with special equipment for warfare in winter conditions.
Each battalion has a heavy weapons company armed with a Wiesel armored personnel carrier with a 20mm cannon, anti-tank missiles or 120mm mortars. They do not wear a beret, but their own mountain cap (Bergmütze) with the Edelweiss sign.
After the restructuring of the Bundeswehr, only one Jäger Battalion (292 Jäger Regiment in the German-French Brigade) and one Jäger Regiment (Jagerregiment 1) remained.
Mountain rangers in Germany - from tradition to modernity
Mobility involves the partial abandonment or reduction of heavy weapons and an emphasis on the development of light units. These include the 23rd Mountain Infantry Brigade (Gebirgsjaegerbrigade 23), located in the south of Bavaria in the Alps. Organizationally, this brigade is part of the 10th Panzer Division. Divisional division is quite traditional for the ground forces, and in the near future it is unlikely to be abandoned. The 10th Panzer Division includes various brigades. This is the already mentioned 23rd Mountain Rifle Brigade, the Franco-German Infantry Brigade and the 30th Motorized Infantry Brigade (cropped). Thus, the word "tank" in the name of the division exists more by tradition, since the total number of tanks in it does not exceed 50 units. The mountain infantry brigade enjoys considerable independence and it is this brigade that stands out from the division as part of the rapid deployment.
In the near future, the 23rd mountain infantry brigade (in fact, light infantry) is planned to be part of the rapid deployment forces. The brigade is mainly equipped with light weapons, with the exception of the artillery battalion, which is equipped with self-propelled and towed guns.
The tasks of the brigade, which is now considered as a kind of special unit, include actions in harsh climatic conditions from the Arctic to deserts, hard-to-reach areas, as well as in settlements (this has received increased attention recently).
Organizationally, the brigade consists of three mountain infantry and mountain artillery battalions: 231st infantry battalion (Bad Reichenhall), 232th infantry brigade (Bischofswiesen / Strub), 233rd infantry battalion (Mittenwald), 225th mountain artillery battalion (Füssen). The brigade also includes the 230th training center for mountain pack animals. 8th mountain engineer battalion, 8th mountain logistics battalion.
The mountain infantry battalion consists of five companies: a headquarters company, three infantry and one heavy company, which is armed with light tracked armored vehicles "Wiesel", carrying ATGM "TOU" or 20-mm cannon.
In order for the brigade to more fully comply with the tasks assigned to it, its reorganization continues. First of all, the number of conscripts will be increased.
Required clarification. The combat readiness of a unit (KRK) also implies a complete set of units and units with conscripts and contract soldiers in various proportions. At the same time, units are staffed exclusively with conscripts or contract soldiers, excluding junior commanders. The company is usually staffed at the rate of two platoons of conscripts, two contract soldiers. Usually in this case it is considered that the KRK of the given company is 50%. Therefore, to give the brigade the status of a rapid reaction unit, it is necessary to increase the number of contract soldiers to increase its combat readiness.
In addition, an engineering battalion and a logistics battalion were included in the brigade last year. This is despite the fact that in order to save money and reduce the number of personnel, the rear command of the ground forces was recently created, which included rear and support units, withdrawn from direct divisional, for example, subordination. If necessary, subunits from the rear command are attached to the formation involved in the operation.
Also, in heavy companies that are part of mountain rifle battalions, the number of Wiesel armored vehicles has been increased from 8 to 24. And the total number of the brigade is to increase from 3,705 to 4,991 people. New communication and control systems are being introduced. Thus, on the basis of the brigade, a kind of connection of the future is formed.
However, the German realities are such that even after the brigade has been assigned the status of a "rapid reaction force", it will be difficult to recognize it as such in our understanding of this status. Just one example, on weekends, all personnel leave the location of the unit on dismissal. Only the soldiers and officers on duty remain. Consequently, the timing of the brigade's mobilization readiness, from our point of view, leaves much to be desired. However, the Germans themselves believe that in the near future they are unlikely to face a situation requiring the deployment of a brigade within 72 hours. Only the process of agreeing positions in NATO and then in the Bundestag will take about a month.
Currently, servicemen of the 23rd brigade are serving in the Balkans and Afghanistan.
Interaction has been established with mountainous parts of other countries, both European (France, Austria, Italy) and with American ones. Arctic action classes are mainly held in Norway.
It is worth noting that the reorganization of the brigade also provides for re-equipment with technical means, for example, Swedish light all-terrain vehicles "Hegglund" are replacing 2-ton trucks. Also, soon, new modular armored vehicles will be adopted. The personnel of the brigade is distinguished by good physical fitness. Most of the officers and non-commissioned officers have ranks in various sports, mainly winter and mountaineering.
Speaking of operations in mountainous conditions, one cannot fail to note the presence of a high-altitude platoon (Hochzug) in each battalion. Its tasks include laying a route for the main body of the battalion when passing difficult sections, for example, sheer walls.
Directly in the mountains, the transportation of goods and equipment is mainly carried out by personnel. For example, mortars are disassembled and carried by the crew. However, the brigade also has the 230th training center for mountain animals. It includes 120 draft horses and mules. There are 2 platoons with 3 squads each and a headquarters unit in the company of mining animals.
The center mainly deals with the tasks of researching the use of pack animals in combat situations. Part of the personnel of the center, along with horses and mules, are in the mountainous regions of Kosovo. The center is currently not able to provide the entire brigade with its animals, however, the existing developments allow at any time to increase the number of animals to the required limits. In the past years, the question of liquidating the center has been repeatedly raised as an anachronism. However, the successful experience of the Balkans proved the need to preserve such a unique military unit.
Horses and mules are used mainly as pack animals, but can also be used to transport the wounded in sleds or drags. In some cases, they can be used as mounts, for observing areas or patrolling.
Alpine arrows (Germany)
Parts of the Alpine (mountain) riflemen (Gebirgsjager) were created during the First World War, when Germany needed specialized units to support allied Austria on the Italian front. The alpine shooters' emblem is the alpine flower edelweiss.
During the Second World War, Alpine riflemen were considered as an elite formation and were used in those battles where their special mountaineering skills were required.
They went through the entire war and acted on all fronts: from Norway to the Balkans and especially in Russia. When the invasion of Poland began in 1939, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Alpine Rifle Divisions outflanked Polish troops, and shortly thereafter, the 2nd and 3rd Divisions were deployed to Norway to prevent an Allied landing. in Narvik. With their decisive action, they quickly tipped the scales in Germany's favor. Formed in 1941, the 5th and 6th Alpine Rifle Divisions paved the way for the invasion of the Balkans and Greece.
After the surrender of the Greek army, divisions of the Alpine riflemen took part in an airborne assault on Crete, defended by selected units of the Allies. In confirmation of the already established reputation, the Alpine arrows fought like lions and provided invaluable assistance to the German paratroopers who suffered heavy losses in this operation. When Hitler launched a war with Russia in 1941, divisions of Alpine riflemen took part in Operation Barbarossa. At the very first stages of the invasion, the 1st and 4th divisions broke through to the Caucasus and hoisted their flag on the top of Elbrus. When events in Russia took a slightly different turn, the Alpine arrows were forced to retreat with battles to the borders of the Reich. For several months, the 1st, 4th, 6th and 7th divisions defended Odessa. From 1941 to 1945, alpine arrows were also used in Finland and Norway to repel the breakthroughs of Russian troops. Unlike the rest of the Bundeswehr, the Alpine riflemen (as well as the airborne assault) zealously keep their military traditions.
At present, the 23rd Alpine Rifle Brigade is the only formation of the German army prepared for operations in the highlands. This brigade, together with the 22nd Motorized Brigade and the 24th Armored Brigade, is part of the 1st Alpine Rifle Division. The 22nd motorized brigade consists of the 224th armored battalion, the 221st motorized battalion, the 225th artillery and 220th anti-tank battalions, the 24th armored brigade consists of the 243rd armored battalion, the 242nd motorized battalion, the 235th artillery and 240th anti-tank battalions, 23rd Alpine Rifle Brigade headquartered in Bad Reichenhall (near the Austrian border) consists of three battalions stationed in Berchtesgaden, Brannenburg, Landsberg and Mittenwald. The 231st battalion, consisting of four companies (three combat and one reserve), in wartime has up to 870 personnel, the 245th artillery battalion is equipped with eighteen 155-mm howitzers, the 230th anti-tank battalion has significant firepower in the form of 21 set of anti-tank rocket systems "Milan".
Additionally, the brigade includes a team of mountaineers and several ski reconnaissance teams. In winter, everyone undergoes high-altitude training. It is assumed that the Alpine Riflemen, as an elite formation, will become part of the rapid reaction forces being created in Germany. More than 80% of Alpine shooters are volunteers, mostly from South Bavaria. Perfectly trained and composed of selected fighters, the 23rd Brigade can rightfully be considered an elite military formation.
Structure
KSK are headquartered in Calw in southern Germany. At the moment, this is approximately 1,100 soldiers, but only a part of them (200-300) are directly involved in hostilities. The exact number of soldiers is not known, this information is kept secret. The KSK is part of and reports to the Division of Special Operations (Div. Spezielle Operationen).
Combat units are divided into four airborne companies in the heart of 100 people each and a special company, staffed by veterans, performing a support role. Each unit has its own specialization:
• 1st platoon: land penetration
• 2nd platoon: air penetration
• 3rd platoon: water penetration
• 4th platoon: operations in difficult geographic and meteorological conditions (mountains or polar regions)
• 5th platoon: reconnaissance, sniper and anti-sniper operations
• Command platoon
Each platoon is divided into four divisions. Each of the units includes an average of four fighters with the same knowledge. Each of the fighters, in addition to general training, is trained as a weapons specialist, medic, sapper or communications specialist. Additionally, the group can be staffed by other specialists, such as linguists or a heavy weapons specialist.
Selection and training
Minimum requirements for candidates:
Higher education
German citizenship
Passing a fitness test
Min. Height: Women - 163 cm, Men - 165
Min. Age - 18 years, max. Age - 24 years old
Driver's license
Swimming grade
Applicants with allergies or vision problems are not accepted
Excellent knowledge of English or French
Ability to endure great physical activity and maintain a high concentration at the same time
Passing psychological tests (tests are conducted by Wolfgang Salewski, who is also responsible for training negotiators)
Only non-retired Bundeswehr officers with paratrooper qualifications can be admitted to the KSK. And the precondition for acceptance is the Bundeswehr's basic sabotage course ("Einzelkämpferlehrgang"). Since 2005, admission has also been open to civilians and military personnel who have successfully completed the 18 month Extreme Survival course.
The selection is divided into two phases, the three-week first phase includes physical. preparation and psychological tests (you can gain approximately 50% of the passing rating) and a three-month second phase for physical endurance (8-10% of the rating).
At the first stage of selection, under the supervision of specialists, by passing numerous sports standards, the level of physical fitness of the candidate is checked.
For example:
Five flip climbs in full gear.
Overcoming the obstacle course in 1 minute 40 seconds.
March-throw over rough terrain at a distance of seven kilometers in field uniform with a backpack weighing twenty kilograms in 52 minutes.
Swim 500 meters in 13 minutes.
KSK is using the Black Forest mountainous area for Phase II training. During this time, candidates must complete 90 km. march. After which they undergo a three-week course of survival in an international environment, avoiding pursuit and surveillance, called the Combat Survival Course at the German Special Operations Center in Fullendorf.
If candidates pass all of these tests, then they can be admitted to 2-3 years of training at KSK. This workout includes 20 jungle, desert and urban counterterrorism tests and takes place in more than 17 different schools around the world, such as Norway (Arctic), Austria (Mountains), El Paso / Texas or Israel (Desert), San Diego (Sea) or Belize (Jungle).
The number of German special forces is a thousand fighters, although, according to the German press, the KSK is not fully staffed due to a lack of volunteers. Service in the special forces is fraught with hefty hardships, which additional payment does not compensate. The fighters sign an obligation to strictly keep military secrets, they have no right to tell even their wives about the KSK operations and their participation in them, communication outside the barracks is minimized.
Family among them, according to some sources, only a third. Nor can they boast of public recognition. Soldiers generally cannot report that they serve in special forces, and even a distinctive burgundy beret with a sword icon they wear only on the territory of the barracks.
Armament
• H&K P8 semi-automatic pistol
• HK USP Tactical - pistol
• HK Mark 23 - pistol
• H&K 416 assault rifle
• H&K G36 assault rifle with AG36 underbarrel grenade launcher, or variant G36C
• H&K MP5 submachine gun or its modification H&K MP5K
• H&K MP7 submachine gun
• H&K UMP submachine gun
• G22 sniper rifle
• H&K PSG1 sniper rifle
• Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank grenade launcher
• H&K MG4 machine gun
• H&K 21 light machine gun
• Rheinmetall MG3 machine gun
• H&K GMG automatic grenade launcher
• Mercedes-Benz G-Class car
• AGF reconnaissance vehicle
• Snowmobiles
