Combat Swimmers

The only special-purpose force of the German Navy, the Combat Swimmers, was created after the 2nd World War, when Germany joined NATO in 1955. The ‘’frogman force’’ garrisoned in Eckernforde and specializes in direct actions, airborne operations, counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, special surveillance and military assistance.

The first German frogman commando unit was created by Alfred von Wurzian during World War 2. Originally from Austria, he was an artilleryman and Olympic swimmer. By overcoming lots of difficulties to form such a specialized unit, because many didn’t believe and approve his decisions he created the ’’ Brandenburg’’ unit.

During the World War 2 the unit’s predecessor has been active in several fronts. In 1944 three German frogman units (MEK) became operational, but weren’t prepared for the D-Day. Later that year they engaged in many activities, such as German Naval frogmen blew up two bridges in the Orne river, several attacks in the English Channel, attacked the Antwerp docks, which was taken by the Allies, tried to blow up railway bridge at Moerdijk, frogman operations in Vistula river and after Italy changed sides they led attacks against liberated Italy. In 1945 they led frogman operations in the Oder river. During the war many crafts were developed, such as lentil, chariot, neger and pocket submarines.

After the World War 2 feeling the risk with the Soviet Union and since Germany joined the NATO, the Combat Swimmers were set up immediately. Also a unit was needed to secure the exits through the Danish Straits, in the Baltic Sea. The unit was created in 1958, which consisted of members without a Nazi past with the service in World War 2. They first trained with the Naguers de Combat of France, since French commando frogmen was already involved in Indochina War and had necessary experiences. The newly reformed Combat Swimmer unit now had to carry missions in both underwater and ashore, with new specialties added such as airborne operations.

In the Gulf War, the unit conducted many operations but are classified by the German Intelligence. The Frogmen have shrunk ten times in size during 1990s.

The training of the recruits is more about psychological pressure than physical. The physical strengths can be trained, but overcoming the fear is the most crucial part of the training. Four weeks of introductory training courses to teach the trainees feel safe in the water and take away the fear. During the ‘’hate week’’ the recruits are not allowed to sleep at nights, meanwhile the regular continues during day. They also train to enter and exit a submarine through the torpedo tube. The final exam is a swimming across the Baltic Sea with full equipments, a 30 km swim.

‘’Lerne leiden, ohne zu klagen!’’

(Learn to suffer without complaint)