Fallschirmjäger!

[malborghetto]

Hello,
would like to open this thread to show some Fallschirmjäger relatet things from my collection.
First thing to show is a Gesellschaftsrock first model worn by Oberstleutnant Sommermeier. A decorated WW2 Fallschirmjäger vet who has fought in africa and crete as you can see at his ribbon bar.
His photo was taken 1966, dated on backside.

Regards, Christian

[malborghetto]

Together with the tunic i get some other photos. Taken around 1957 at fort benning USA during his paratrooper training by US troops.
On the first photo you can see him standing in the middle wearing his first model clasp. First officer from the left is Gericke. Maybe someone knows the others.

Regards, Christian

[Combat Trucker]

Nice, VERY NICE!!! He's got the wings i'm currently seeking.

[Collectinsteve]

Once again, stunning uniforms! And yes, highly decorated FJ member. A friend of mine was in US Airborne and Special Forces for 23 years. When he trained in Germany they were able to drink beers with old WW FJ veterans to hear their stories. He said that the US paratroopers treated them with a large amount of reverence and respect. They might have fought against the United States, but they are in the same specialized profession.

I think you are showing what a narrow focus collection can be that no broad "survey" collection can ever be. The amount of time, money, and luck that is required for a collection like yours must be enormous. I probably spend just as much time, money, and luck but on uniforms from many nations instead of one.

If someone told me I could only focus on one country, for sure it would be BRD. I don't even have a second thought about this!

Steve

[malborghetto]

Hello Steve!
Time is one thing. You should submit no time pressure. Sure, you also need some luck. Excluding the time you have now and once again lucky enough to get something at a good price.
I collect now for more then 10 years Bundeswehr stuff. Starting at a time when this collection area almost no one has any interest in.
This time it's getting harder and harder to become good early Bundeswehr stuff.

Regards, Christian

[Gordon Craig]

Christian,

Another very nice historic tunic. I see that Oberstleutnant Sommermeier was serving at the Luftlande-u. Lufttransportschule when he wore this tunic. Nice that he continued serving in his wartime branch.

Regards,

Gordon

[malborghetto]

Heres a little FJ grouping from Hauptfeldwebel H. Denker.
He has started his service in Juli 1956 as Hauptfeldwebel / Kompaniefeldwebel (Spiess) in FAR 1 ( unit is unknown to me).
From february 1957 to march 1959 as a Spiess in Luftlande Artillerie Bataillon 9.
In september 1957 Springerlehrgang at Munich-Freimann.
From march 1959 to september 61 staff 1. LL-Division
From september 1961 to november 1964 LL-Pionier Bataillon 9.
November 1964 withdraw from the 1. LL-Division and transferred to 12. Panzerdivision.

Photo from 1956



Photo from 1957/58



Photo from 1961



His phoptoalbum, paraclasp and patches

[malborghetto]

The photoalbum is devided in 3 sections.
In section 1 there are printed photos and the history of the early Bundeswehr and Luftlandetruppe.

[malborghetto]

The second area is for personal memories. Only one page from 30 is filled with his military career until 1964.

[malborghetto]

The third section is for personal photos.

Pictures from 1956 to 1957 as a member of the FAR 1.

[malborghetto]

Photos from 1957 as member of LL-Artillery Bataillon 9. Springer course in Munich-Freimann. On the last picture the handing of Jump Wings by oberst Gericke.

[malborghetto]

More photos LL-Art.-Btl.9

[Gordon Craig]

Christian,

Thanks for sharing all of these wonderful photos from ne mans service time in the FJ. Many new things to study here!

Regards,

Gordon

[Hugh Zillmann old]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!

What else can one say. Amazing photographs. Incredible detail. An absolute wealth of new information (note the differing styles of Fallschirmhelm depicted in the various photographs).

You have made my day!

Many thanks.

All the best,

Hugh

[Collectinsteve]

Amazing photos!! Thanks very much for uploading them. So many interesting things to look at!!

Steve