Gebirgsjäger

The mountain infantry of modern Germany carry on certain traditions of the German Alpenkorps (Alpine corps) of World War I.

Both countries' mountain infantry share the Edelweiß insignia, established in 1907 as a symbol of the Austro-Hungarian Landesschützen regiments by Emperor Franz Joseph I.

During World War II the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS raised a number of mountain infantry units,[1] identified by the edelweiss insignia worn on their sleeves and caps.

The battalions of these units are deployed in southern Bavaria, the only high mountain area in Germany touching the Northern Alps.

[6] The soldiers of the mountain infantry wear a grey cap (Bergmütze) with an edelweiss on its left side, stem to the front.

One company is responsible for staff and support duties and has a "Hochgebirgsjägerzug" (special platoon for high mountain fight and reconnaissance) at its disposal.

Gebirgsjäger of the German Army during a climbing exercise
Imperial German soldiers with skies and snow camouflage air their rifles 1916
Imperial German soldiers with skies and snow camouflage in 1916
Gebirgsjäger group in late 1942 during the Battle of the Caucasus
Badge of the Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23 shows an edelweiss , traditional symbol for German mountain forces.
A German Gebirgsjäger wearing the formal uniform with the characteristic clothes and boots
A Bv 206S as a medical transporter. The 206S is the standard transport vehicle of the German mountain infantry.