Parachutist Badge (Germany)

Fallschirmspringerabzeichen
Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Fallschirmschützenabzeichen
Awarded by Nazi Germany
Type Military Badge
Eligibility Soldiers of the German armed forces
Awarded for Military Parachutist Proficiency
Status No longer awarded
Description qualification badge
Statistics
Established 5 November 1936

The German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge (Fallschirmschützenabzeichen) was the badge awarded to and worn by qualified parachutists of the Armed Forces (Wehrmacht) of the Nazi Germany.

The Wehrmacht's Parachutist Badge was first established by order of Hermann Göring on 5 November 1936.[1] It was originally awarded to soldiers of the Luftwaffe after completion of parachute training and the required number of six jumps. The badge depicted a diving eagle with a swastika in its claws surrounded by a silver wreath. The original construction was made of "gold-finished bronze" for the eagle and "oxidized silver plate" for the laurel leaves. In 1937, the construction of the badge changed to aluminum. In late 1942, the construction was changed again to metal alloy. A cloth version of the badge was also authorized in 1937, to be worn on a flight jacket. The badge was worn over the left breast pocket.[2] A recipient had to re-qualify for the badge each year.[3]

An army version (Fallschirmschützen-Abzeichen des Heeres) was later introduced (1 September 1937), with the swastika relocated to the top of the wreath and surmounted by a smaller upright eagle.[4] As with the Luftwaffe, a recipient had to re-qualify for the badge each year.[5] In 1936, the army ordered the institution of its own parachute company, which was expanded to a battalion in 1938. When the army parachute units were transferred over to the Luftwaffe in 1939, the former army soldiers continued to wear the army version of the Parachutist badge.[6]

The Waffen-SS personnel of the 500, 501 or 502 SS-Parachute Battalions were awarded the Luftwaffe badge after they passed the jump and other test requirements.[7] The Army Paratroopers Badge was re-instituted on 1 June 1943 with the formation of the 15th (Fallschirmjager-) Kompanie of Brandenburg Regiment 4 (on 1 April 1943).

Notes

  1. ↑ Angolia 1987, p. 193.
  2. ↑ Angolia 1987, pp. 193, 194, 196.
  3. ↑ Angolia 1987, p. 194.
  4. ↑ Angolia 1987, pp. 78, 79.
  5. ↑ Angolia 1987, p. 78.
  6. ↑ Angolia 1987, pp. 78, 194.
  7. ↑ Angolia 1987, p. 195.

References

  • Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.
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