Soviet Airborne Forces 1930-91

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 Worl...