The Parachutist Badge () was a badge awarded to qualified parachutists of the
Wehrmacht and the
Waffen-SS of
Nazi Germany.
The badge was first established by order of
Hermann Göring on 5 November 1936. It was originally awarded to
Luftwaffe personnel after completion of the required number of six jumps. The badge depicted a diving eagle with a
swastika
The swastika (卐 or 卍) is an ancient religious and cultural symbol, predominantly in various Eurasian, as well as some African and American cultures, now also widely recognized for its appropriation by the Nazi Party and by neo-Nazis. It ...
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 aluminium. In late 1942, the construction was changed again to a metal alloy. A cloth version of the badge was also authorized in 1937, to be worn on a flight jacket. A recipient had to re-qualify for the badge each year.
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. As with the Luftwaffe, a recipient had to re-qualify for the badge each year. 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. The Waffen-SS personnel of the
500 500 may refer to:
* 500 (number)
* 500 BC
* AD 500
Buildings and places
* 500 Boylston Street of Boston
* 500 Brickell in Miami
* 500 Capitol Mall in Sacramento
* 500 Fifth Avenue
* 500 Renaissance Center, one of seven buildings in the GM Renai ...
, 501 or 502 SS-Parachute Battalions were awarded the Luftwaffe badge after they passed the jump and other test requirements.
Versions
Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe.png, Air force version
Fallschirmschützenabzeichen des Heeres (colored).png, Army version
Fallschirmschützenabzeichen des Heeres 57er.jpg, 1957 de-nazified Army version
Notes
References
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Parachutist badge, German
Parachutist badges
Parachutist badge (Germany)
Awards established in 1936
1936 establishments in Germany