Solid as a Rock

Solid As a Rock is a detailed account of little-known actions fought by the German Fallschirmjaeger Regiment 1 on the Eastern Front in 1942 and 1943.

The 1st Parachute Regiment of the Luftwaffe is well known for its actions during the German Blitzkrieg in Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and Crete, but little has been published about its infantry operations on the Eastern Front. Solid As a Rock covers the regiment's actions as part of the 7th Flieger Division north of Smolensk in November 1942-January 1943 and the fierce fighting to save the southern flank of the German 2nd Panzer Army around Orel in February-March 1943. Supported by rare personal recollections of the participants and detailed maps and sketches drawn from seldom consulted primary sources, this book offers an intimate insight into the fighting through the eyes of the soldiers of a neglected campaign on the Eastern Front.

About the Author

Albrecht Zimburg, born in Vienna, Austria, in 1965, completed his military service as a one-year volunteer with the mountain infantry in Tyrol with the rank of first lieutenant. While studying, he did a civilian parachute course and practiced paragliding. Upon completing law studies, he obtained a doctorate and started an international career. Since the late 1990-ies, he has been studying various aspects of modern history, particularly the Second World War and with a particular focus on the German paratroopers of which his father was a veteran. He has previously written and edited several works on military history and genealogy, including his father's memoirs.

100-150 b/w photos, 40 maps, 19 tables