Parachutist Badge (Nazi Germany)

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Fallschirmspringerabzeichen
The German Parachutist Badge in Bronze
TypeMilitary Badge
DescriptionComes in three classes: gold, silver and bronze
EligibilitySoldiers of the German armed forces and Allied nations
StatusCurrently awarded
EstablishedSeptember 1, 1937

The German Armed Forces Parachutist Badge (German: Fallschirmspringerabzeichen or [Fallschirmschützenabzeichen] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help)) is the badge awarded to and worn by qualified parachutists of the Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) of the Federal Republic of Germany. The badge may also be awarded to military service members from allied nations but its authorization and wear is subject to the recipient's national uniform regulations.

National-Socialist Germany

The Wehrmacht's Parachutist Badge was first established by order of Hermann Göring on November 5, 1936. It was originally awarded to soldiers of the Luftwaffe after completion of parachute training and the required number of jumps. The badge depicted a diving eagle with a swastika in its claws surrounded by a silver wreath. It was worn over the left breast pocket.

Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Fallschirmschützenabzeichen

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.

On 4 October 1936 the Army ordered the institution of its own parachute company, a Fallschirm-Infanterie-Kompanie. The call went out for volunteers in early March 1937, and on April 1st men who had passed both the psychological and physical exams (only 7 out of each 30 volunteers passed) began arriving at the "Albrecht der Bär" barracks in Stendal. The army did not have a training facility of its own, thus they utilized the already established Luftwaffe facility at Stendal/Borstel (under Olt. Bassange) exclusively. Actual jump training commenced in early June 1937, and only 3 out of each 7 trainees passed the jump course.

On 1 June 1938, the Fallschirm-Infanterie-Kompanie was officially expanded (per order HM38 No.286 dated 15 March 1938) to the Fallschim-Infanterie-Batallion. In addition to the Nachrichten-Zug and the Pionier-Zug, there were 4 infantry companies, the 4th being "heavy" (machine guns and mortars), under Major Heidrich and Capt. Prager. 1st Company (under Olt. von Brandis), 2nd Company (under Olt. Huebner), 3nd Company (under Lt. Pagels) and 4th Company (under Olt. Peltz). On 4 November 1938, the Fallschirm-Infanterie-Batallion moved from Stendal to their new barracks (the Rosalies Kaserne) in Braunschweig.

The Army Paratroopers Badge (now called Fallschirmschutzenabzeichen des Heeres) was re-instituted on 1 June 1943 with the formation of the 15th (Fallschirmjager-) Kompanie of Brandenburg Regiment 4 (on 1 April 1943). The badge was produced Feinzink by CE Juncker of Berlin with the same dies used to manufacturer the 2nd model badge in aluminum. Dimensions were the same as the 2nd pattern badge in aluminum and the weight was approximately 29.5 grams.

Federal Republic of Germany

Following the defeat of the Nazis in World War II, the symbols of National Socialism were outlawed in Germany. After the creation of the Bundeswehr, wearing of decorations and badges earned during war-time was permitted, but only after proper "Denazification". The German Parachutist Badge was eventually changed to its current design in 1956, depicting a parachute falling in the sky surrounded by a ring of oak leaves on wings. This badge is worn over the right breast pocket.

In the Bundeswehr the badge has three levels:

  • Bronze: 5 Jumps, step I
  • Silver: 20 Jumps, step II
  • Gold: 50 Jumps, step III

Notable recipients (Bundeswehr version)

See also

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