German Special Operations the 1944 Ardennes Offensive

This is a well written and sourced historical analysis of the German special operations conducted in support of their Ardennes offensive (the "Battle of the Bulge"). It focuses on the two major special operations of the German offensive, Operations "Greif" and "Stoesser." Operation Greif was the German attempt to infiltrate a commando unit behind American lines disguised as American soldiers. Operation Stoesser, the last German airborne operation of the war, was designed to secure a key crossroads behind American lines. The strategic setting, planning, preparations, and conduct of these operations, as well as their impact on the overall offensive campaign are examined to determine how successful the operations were.