German commando frogmen
| Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1958–present |
| Country |
 Germany (Marine) |
| Branch | German Navy |
| Type |
Special operations force Sea Land Air |
| Role |
Direct action Airborne operations Counter terrorism Special reconnaissance Special surveillance Military assistance |
| Size | Classified |
| Garrison/HQ | Eckernförde |
| Motto(s) | Lerne leiden, ohne zu klagen! (Learn to suffer without complaint!) |
| Engagements |
Gulf War FR Yugoslavia Operation Enduring Freedom ISAF Operation Ocean Shield |
|
German Navy Deutsche Marine |
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Germany's postwar commando frogman force are called the Kampfschwimmer ("Combat Swimmers", abbreviated "KSM") or Verwendungsgruppe 3402 (Deployment Group 3402). They are the only special-purpose force of the German Navy. The Kampfschwimmer were set up when Germany joined NATO in 1955.
During the existence of the GDR (East Germany), the People's Navy of the GDR also had a commando frogman force, which was stationed in Kühlungsborn. They trained at Prora on Rügen.
The first German frogman commando unit was formed under the direction of Alfred von Wurzian during World War II, an Olympic swimmer originally from Austria. Wurzian was initially an artilleryman. He had to overcome a lot of hurdles to form this specialized unit as many brass types could not buy into the concept of such a specialized unit. The unit's name was Küstenjäger-Abteilung "Brandenburg".
The Kampfschwimmer were set up particularly because Germany joined NATO and there was felt to be risk of war with the Soviet Union. A unit was needed which could help to secure the Baltic Sea exits through the Danish Straits. On 1 August 1958 Group 3402, as these commando frogmen were called by the navy, was set up. It consisted of men without a Nazi past, who had served in World War II in the small combat forces and the naval employment commands.
The first Kampfschwimmer were trained first with the Nageurs de combat in France. France had developed the role of the commando frogmen further in the Indochina war, to the modern single fighter.
The Kampfschwimmer should carry out their tasks both in the water and ashore, like German commando frogmen did in World War II. But now a new dimension was added: airborne operations. This three-role concept of the French became the basis of the commando frogmen of the German navy.
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Wikipedia