German Pionier 1939-45 ─ Combat Engineer of the Wehrmacht

The Pionier troops of the Wehrmacht were at the forefront of the blitzkrieg, storming through any obstacles that lay in their path. Not mere engineers, they were assault troops first and construction workers second. Armed with specialist equipment such as demolition charges and the terrifying flamethrower, they were called upon to breach fortifications, clear minefields and establish bridgeheads under fire. Together with original photographs and detailed artwork, this is a thorough examination of the life of a typical Pionier, following him through training and the offensive actions of the early war to the final, desperate efforts to slow the Allied advance.

Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969-70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas. The author lives in Cyprus, Texas.