The German order of battle was very flexible—it allowed the integration of various miscellaneous units from various branches to be patched together very quickly into cohesive “stürm” (assault) units. Especially in the Italian theater. When the assets of the German Navy were sunk or cut off along the Adriatic coastline the Germans quickly reorganized the stranded sailors into mountain and stürm units complete with kit and sent them into the Gustav Line or wherever they were most needed. Elite German Parachute troops also comprised some of these Stürm Units and were integrated into the Herman Goering Panzer Division to oppose the Anzio landings.
The Stürm Battalions were often responsible for—and successful in—holding the line against far more numerous enemy forces!
