$  The history of German mountain troops begun during the World War I.  First Alpenkorps units were created$
$in 1915 in Bavaria and Wirtenberg.  These units fought in Bukovina and Serbia.  One of officers fighting$
$in this formation was Second Lieutenant Erwin Rommel, later known as the Desert Fox, commander of the famous$
$Afrika Corps. In 1935 roku the first Third Reich's mountain brigade (Gebirgs Brigade) was assembled. Its$
$commander was gen. major Ludwig Kbler. One year later the brigade was transformed into division.$
$  This type of formation has flourished after the Anschluss of Austria, when Alpenkorp included two Austrian$
$mountain divisions. Most equipment was transported on horseback, what made them independent of roads.$
$  Soldiers had to undergone special training in fighting and marching in difficult country, especially$
$mountains.  Although their equipment was usually a standard for Wehrmacht infantry, the intense training$
$resulted in development the German Army elite units.$
$  It was clearly visible during fights of 1st Mountain Divisions at the outskirts of Lvov, where, facing$
$much more numerous Polish forces, held its positions, even conducting offensive operations.$
