By the name "Brandenburgs" or "Brandenburg Units" (Ger. Brandenburg-Verband) was defined as a German subversive and reconnaissance unit from the period of World War II, which was subject to German intelligence - the Abwehr. At the start of the war, it was a battalion-sized unit, but in 1943 it was transformed into a division, and in 1944 - into a panzer grenadier division, to some extent losing its elite character. Theodor von Hippel is considered to be the initiator of the uprising of the "Brandenburgers". At the beginning, people who were fluent in foreign languages, with secondary or higher education, were recruited to the unit. The main tasks of the "Brandenburgers" were perceived as broadly understood subversive activities carried out behind enemy lines, sowing panic and confusion, disorganizing its transport (road, rail and air) and conducting a long reconnaissance. The unit was used for the first time in Poland, during the September campaign in 1939, but it was not very successful. After this campaign, the training system was changed and the methods of operation improved. The unit was quite successful during the campaign in France in 1940, during the fighting in the Balkans in 1941 and in the initial period of the war on the Eastern Front (1941-1942).
Battle of Leros (Ger. Unternehmen Leopard ) was carried out in the period from October 26 to November 16, 1943, with the main activities taking place on November 12-16 of that year. The battle was fought after the signing of the armistice by Italy, between British-Italian troops and German units. It is estimated that about 11,000-12,000 people fought on the British-Italian side, and about 2,800-3,000 soldiers on the German side. The Battle of Leros was fought in the course of the Dodecanese campaign initiated by the British after the successful landing in Sicily and the surrender of Italy. The island of Leros itself was an important strategic point in the Aegean Basin. For the sake of clarity, it is worth adding that Germany was the attacking party during this operation. The operation began with relatively large Luftwaffe raids on the island from October 26 to November 11/12, 1943. On November 12, sea and air landings were carried out on the island, which brought Germany moderate success. On the night of November 12-13, German units already operating in Leros were supported by more troops, and on November 13, German troops managed to repel (with large losses) repeated British attacks. On November 15, the last British counterattack took place, and a day later German troops went on the offensive from Merovigli to the north and east. Interestingly, as a result of a successful foray of German special units, Brigadier Robert Tilney, the British commander of the island's defense, was taken prisoner. As a result, the remaining British and Italian forces on the island quickly capitulated. The Battle of Leros ended in a total defeat of the Allies and led to the capture of the entire Dodecanese by German troops.