This title explores the history of the airborne troops, the elite
striking arm of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, from their
inception in 1930 until the fall of the USSR.
Established in 1932, the Vozdushno-desantnye voyska ("air-landing
forces, or VDV) of the Red Army led the way in airborne doctrine and
practice. Though they were initially handicapped by a lack of
infrastructure, due in part to a turbulent political climate in the
1930s, they still conducted major drops during World War II, including
at the Dnepr River in September 1943.
After the war ended, the VDV became independent of the Air Force and
were elevated to the role of strategic asset. The newly rebuilt
divisions were now organized and trained to conduct deep insertions
behind enemy lines, attacking command-and-control facilities, lines of
communication, and key infrastructure targets such as nuclear power
plants. This training came into play in numerous Cold War
confrontations, including Soviet operations in Hungary (1956) and
Czechoslovakia (1968). During the Soviet war in Afghanistan (1979--89),
the VDV proved to be the most formidable of the Mujahideen's opponents,
with the development of the air assault concept--the transport,
insertion, and support of air-landed troops by helicopter rather than
parachute.
This title explores the development of the VDV from its conception in
1930 to their role in the Cold War and in the later invasion of
Afghanistan. Supported by contemporary photography and specially
commissioned artwork of uniforms and battlescenes, this title is a
comprehensive and engaging guide to the history of airborne forces in
the Soviet period.
