Veltze, Karl Deutsche Fallschirmjäger - Uniformierung und Ausrüstung 1936 - 1945. Band 3: Abzeichen, Dokumente und Kampfeinsätze

This final volume concludes the three-volume work "German Paratroopers - Uniform and Equipment 1936-1945". This time, the focus is on all the topics that could not be covered in the two previous volumes.

First, the history of the paratroopers between 1936 and 1945 is traced with the help of more than 45 uniform mannequins, well over half of which were compiled especially for this volume. They illustrate the appearance of the paratroopers from the early days with the "General Göring" regiment to the unconditional surrender of the Wehrmacht. In addition to the paratroopers of the Luftwaffe, which have been the main focus so far, there were also a few thousand paratroopers of the Army and the Waffen-SS, which are dealt with in a separate chapter. In addition to rare pieces of uniform, a number of documents and many previously unpublished photos are shown. Another chapter of over 100 pages is devoted to the specific insignia of the paratroopers - jumpers' insignia, sleeve stripes and internal insignia - as well as their typical awards along with the corresponding certificates. Volume 3 also deals with military passports and pay books as well as other personnel papers of the Wehrmacht which were also or predominantly kept by members of the paratroopers; their dog tags are also dealt with here. Representing the approximately 250,000 men who served in paratroop units between 1936 and 1945, a separate chapter traces the soldierly biographies of a total of 20 enlisted ranks, non-commissioned officers and officers on the basis of their papers. Finally, all kinds of items are presented that somehow have to do with the German paratroopers but do not fit thematically into any of the other chapters. This volume contains over 350 contemporary photos, of which a good 200 have remained unpublished until now.

Chapter I: Combat Operations
Chapter II: The Army Paratroopers, The Waffen-SS Paratroopers
Chapter III: Paratrooper Badges, Sleeve Strips, Troop Internal Badges, Awards and Certificates
Chapter IV: Dog Tags and Personal Documents
Chapter V: Paratrooper Bequests
Chapter VI: Canteen Goods, Printed Materials, etc.

Introduction

Acknowledgements

Chapter I - FIGHTING INSECTIONS
Poland 1939
Eastern Front 1943/44
Invasion Front
North-West Europe 1944/45
Southern Front 1944/45
Final Battles 1945

Chapter II (a) -. THE FALLSCHIRMJÄGER OF THE ARMY
Fallschirm Infantry Company and Battalion
Fallschirmjäger of the "Brandenburger"

Chapter II (b) - THE FALLSCHIRMJÄGER DER WAFFEN-SS

Chapter III (a) - FALLSCHIRMSCHÜTZENABZEICHEN
Fallschirmschützenschein
The Air Force Parachute Gunner's Badge
Air Force Parachute Gunner's Badge
The Army Parachute Gunner's Badge
Army Parachute Gunner's Badge
Sailplane Pilot's Badge

Chapter III (b) -. ARMOR STRIPS
Landespolizeigruppe "General Göring"
Regiment "General Göring"
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 1
Fallschirm-Division
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 2
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3

Chapter III (c) - TROUP internal badges
Fabric badges
Fallschirm-Pioniere
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 3
Fallschirmjäger-Brigade "Ramcke"
Metal badges
Luftlande-Sturm-Regiment
Traditionsabzeichen Sturm-Rgt.
I. Fallschirm-Korps
II. Fallschirm-Korps
3. Fallschirmjäger-Division
1. Fallschirmjäger-Division

Chapter III (d) - Awards and Certificates
Peace Awards
War Awards
The Iron Cross
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
Other War Awards
Combat Badges
Non.wearable awards

Chapter IV - RECOGNITION TAGS AND PERSONAL DOCUMENTS
War pass
Soldier's book
Camouflage card
Recognition tag
Flight book or. Jump card
Other documents

Chapter V - FALLSHIELD HUNTERS' NIGHTS

Chapter VI - CANTINE GOODS, PRINTED PRODUCTS USW.
CANTINE GOODS & Souvenirs
PRINTED PRODUCTS
Troop-side
Curiosities

Appendices
Abbreviations
Bibliography
Endnotes.