Gebirgsjäger Gebirgsjäger ( ) are the light infantry part of the alpine or mountain troop s ( " Gebirgstruppe " ) of Germany and Austria . The word " Jäger " ( meaning " hunter " or " huntsman " ) is a characteristic term used for light - infantry or light - infantryman in German - speaking military context . The mountain infantry of Austria have their roots in the three " Landesschützen " regiments of the Austro - Hungarian Empire . The mountain infantry of Germany carry on certain traditions of the Alpenkorps ( Alpine corps ) of World War I . Both countries ' mountain infantry share the Edelweiß insignia . It was established in 1907 as a symbol of the Austro - Hungarian " Landesschützen " regiments by Emperor Franz Joseph I . These troops wore their edelweiss on the collar of their uniforms . When the " Alpenkorps " came to aid the " Landesschützen " in defending Austria - Hungary ' s southern frontier against the Italian attack in May 1915 , the grateful " Landesschützen " honoured the men of the " Alpenkorps " by awarding them their own insignia : the edelweiss . Together with the Fallschirmjäger ( Paratroopers ) they are perceived as the elite infantry units of the German Army . Gebirgsjäger in World War II . During World War II the Wehrmacht and Waffen - SS raised a number of mountain infantry units . An entire corps was formed in Norway by 1941 . Its divisions were lightly equipped , with much of the transport provided by mules . These mountain infantry were equipped with fewer automatic weapon s than regular infantry , however the MG 34 or MG 42 machine gunners were provided with more ammunition than their regular infantry counterparts . Mountain infantry were identified by the edelweiss insignia worn on their sleeves and their caps . Mountain infantry participated in many battles , including Operation Weserübung , Operation Silver Fox , Operation Platinum Fox and Operation Arctic Fox , the operations in the Caucasus , the Gothic Line , the invasion of Crete and the battles in the Vosges region of France . Special equipment was made for them including the G33 / 40 mauser rifle based on the VZ . 33 rifle . Gebirgsjäger in the modern German forces . Honouring tradition , upon the creation of the Bundeswehr in 1956 , the mountain infantry returned as a distinctive arm of the West German army . Until 2001 , they were organized as the 1 . Gebirgsdivision , but this division was disbanded in a general reform . The successor unit is Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23 which has its headquarters in Bad Reichenhall . The battalions of these mountain infantry are deployed in southern Bavaria as this is the only high mountain area in Germany touching the Northern Alps . Since 2008 the unit is officially called " Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23 " Bayern " ( Bavaria ) " as a commendation of the close relationship between the state and the " Gebirgsjäger " . According to the official Bundeswehr website , the brigade has a current strength of 6 , 500 soldiers . Traditions . The soldiers of the mountain infantry wear a grey cap ( " Bergmütze " ) with an edelweiß on its left side , stem to the front . This distinguishes them from all other German army soldiers who wear berets and the Austrian army , whose edelweiß has its stem to the back . The formal uniform , which is based on traditional alpine mountain climbing trekking outfits ( " Berganzug " ) , is also different from the standard mainstream German army uniform , and consists of a light - weight grey ski blouse ( " Skibluse " ) , black Stirrup trousers ( " Keilhose " ) or especially during the summer periods " Culottes " knee - breeches ( " " ) similar to knickerbockers , and ankle - height mountaineering boot s ( " " ) or dual - use mountaineering ski boots . A soldier is allowed to wear the edelweiß on the forage cap after he has completed the " Edelweißmarsch " . This honor is only allowed for the mountain infantry . German " Gebirgsjäger " traditionally share a very close comradeship and distinct esprit de corps . There is also a special perception of discipline which can for example be seen in a relatively informal relationship between officers and soldiers during normal day duty . Tasks of the German " Gebirgsjäger " . The main tasks of the German mountain infantry are : Units . List of active mountain infantry in the Bundeswehr : As the Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23 is part of the so - called stabilisation forces ( " Stabilisierungskräfte " ) , it lacks any accompanying artillery . Equipment and organization . A mountain infantry battalion consists of about 1 , 000 soldiers in six companies . One company is responsible for staff and support duties and has a " Hochgebirgsjägerzug " ( special platoon for high mountain terrain ) at its disposal . Three companies are consisting of classical mountain infantry , another one is a heavy company which is equipped with the Wiesel AWC for mortar support , tank defence and supporting cannon fire with 20 mm guns . The last company has the mission to train the conscripts in the three month basic military training of the German forces . Gebirgsjäger in the modern Austrian forces . Today the traditions of the Austrian mountain infantry are maintained by the 6th Jägerbrigade in western Austria Units . List of active mountain infantry in the Austrian Armed Forces : Notable members . Also see Alpenkorps for the World War I era unit .