GERMAN WWII NAVAL TROOPS

Just before World War II, in 1938, the Kriegsmarine was established in the structure Marinestosstruppkompanie (in a silence of 4 platoons), i.e. a specific special unit of the German Navy, designed to carry out tasks in the aquatic environment. The unit was formed in Świnoujście, and its baptism of fire took place during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). In March 1939, it took part in the occupation of Klaipeda by the Germans, and in September of the same year it fought in Westerplatte. In 1940, the vessel was significantly expanded and, in fact, transformed into the Marine Stosstruppabteilung in the strength of six companies. This unit mainly carried out occupation tasks (from 1940) in Normandy, the coast of northern France and the Norman islands. It is worth adding that at the end of World War II, in 1945, regular divisions were formed from the Kriegsmarine personnel, which were to fight like traditional infantry formations. In this way, among others, the 1st and 2nd Marine Infanterie Division (German: Marine Infanterie Division) were formed.