40. Fallschirmjägerbataillon Willi Sänger

Fallschirmjägerbataillon Willi Sänger (English: 40th Parachute Light Infantry Battalion[1][2]) was the only airborne forces unit formation of the National People's Army, formed in 1962.

[3][4] Numerous military observers had considered the unit to be one of the most professional forces in the Warsaw Pact despite its small size.

On February 28, 1963, the 5th Paratrooper Battalion's flag was handed back to Major General Hans Bleck in a ceremony.

[1] On 23 September 1969,[7] the battalion was bestowed with the tradition-based name of "Willi Sänger", an anti-Nazi resistance fighter and workers' sports devotee.

[3] Starting in 1981, a company of paratroopers from the Battalion began guarding the headquarters of the East German Defence Ministry in Strausberg.

[9] In time of war, the battalion would be used as a commando strike unit to infiltrate and sabotage NATO command structures and supply routes.

Fallschirmjägerbataillon was modeled after the "Rejdoviki," the Soviet special-purpose paratrooper units which were intended to be used for commando operations and for subversion and long-range reconnaissance missions.

The following basic prerequisites were necessary: Since this unit required a long-term commitment, the service period of a paratrooper was generally at least 3 years.

Training took place in the unit in accordance with the requirements of commando operations similar to US Army Rangers and Special Forces.