It decided to deploy airborne forces (Fallschirmjäger) to land inside the fortress perimeter using gliders.
The German plan was to use paratroopers and gliders to send forces down by air.
The first attempt to take out the facility, in November 1942, had consisted of British personnel using gliders to land near Vemork.
This would be the first British airborne operation ever to use gliders; all previous operations had been conducted solely with parachutists.
Robert had suggested using handmade gliders, but the enemy was surely wise even to that wolfling trick by now.
At this time the only way airborne forces could transport artillery guns and their towing vehicles by air was by using gliders.
"Besides, we're going to use gliders, of course."
The unit underwent intense training and were selected to participate in testing the feasibility of using gliders as paratroop transport.
During World War II, the region was a training ground for pilots who used gliders as a means to transport troops.
Only special forces use gliders for silent, small-scale insertion today.