Student took a particular interest in parachutes and visited Russian paratroop schools. He headed the Air Testing Center and became involved with the parachute training school at Stendal, which was established in 1936.
On June 1, 1938, Student became a major general and head of the 7th Fliegerdivision, the first German parachute division. The paratroopers were known for their close connection to the Nazi party. The following year, Student also became inspector general of airborne forces. He was now responsible for both the parachutists and troops brought into combat by airplanes, known as air-landed or airborne troops. Student encouraged the development of the DFS 230, a new type of glider plane that could carry eight men. Glider troops later formed a special assault regiment.
The paratroops were used in the invasion of Denmark and Norway on April 9, 1940, along with land and sea forces. In Denmark, three platoons of paratroops captured a bridge and several airfields. The airfield in Stavanger, Norway, was captured quickly. The airfield at the Norwegian capital of Oslo proved more difficult because of Norwegian resistance and heavy fog. Despite these obstacles, Oslo became the first national capital ever to be taken by airborne troops.
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