Reconnaissance and Diversionary Operations

Reconnaissance and diversionary operations were the most numerous and, perhaps, the most successful type of airborne operation the Soviets conducted during the Second World War. These operations varied widely in mission and scale. Small landing parties routinely conducted reconnaissance and struck at objectives deep in the enemy rear. Others simply established contact with organized partisan forces to raid German rear areas. Larger reconnaissance or sabotage groups reported on enemy dispositions and troop movements or attacked important enemy installations.