Bund Deutscher Fallschirmjäger Banner

[Mike Yokum]

Nope, it's not a "57er" but we share all sorts of things here right?

I thought I'd share a recent acquisition with you. It's a two sided Bund Fallschirmjäger banner. It's not very large. It's only about 9 inches across. It has "Fallschirm Pionier Korps" on the reverse. I saw it and couldn't resist.

Nothing too special, but a collectible piece to me.

[xmember]

Very nice Mike. I don't know a thing about it so I couldn't comment but it would really good displayed with the rest of your outstanding items. Take a picture if you do that so we can all enjoy it.
Regards
Rudy

[Mike Yokum]

Thank you Rudy, for those kind words! The banner is now hanging on my wall, near my display cases.

Here is a straight translation of the Wiki page on the Bund Deutscher Fallschirmjäger. It's all I've got time for this evening.

Association of the Federation of German paratroopers Association of paratroopers of World War II generation, airborne troops and members of the Specialized Forces of the armed forces, these forces is reservists and their families, friends and supporters. It is a member of the European Union paratroopers UEP.

History ...
1949 met for the first time, about 230 former paratrooper in Wesel / Nordheide and founded the paratroopers search service and a fellow charity. Thus, the basis for the Association of German paratroopers had been laid. It followed the establishment of local branches and associations tradition. The first national meeting in 1951 in Brunswick gathered about 6,000 people. Initial focus of the work of the League were the search for missing service, the comrades and the needs of widows and orphans. The fellow's Fund care of paratroopers in the Eastern Zone and the former GDR "paratrooper-care packages."
The reconciliation with former enemies in the 1950s was a new focus of the work of the Federation. Were able at the national meeting in 1959 will be welcomed in Fribourg paratroopers from France, Italy, Spain and the United States. Donated by the paratroopers of Bastogne Peace Bell is an example of this reconciliation.
In 1957 the list of the paratroopers of the armed forces. Former members of the parachute troops have participated in this leadership position to build the new airborne troops and train.
At the meeting the other federal opening was compared with the paratroopers of the armed forces. It followed the first foundations of local camaraderie and tradition associations consisted mainly of paratroopers of the armed forces. The establishment of the European Union paratroopers UEP was largely supported by the Federation of German paratroopers. In 1999, the connection from the federal government, "Association of Polish paratroopers" in the UEP included. A delegation of Polish paratroopers since taking part in the national meeting.

Goals ...
Support the troops and troops of the active paratroopers, airborne and special forces and Specialized
Care of soldiers and reservists, especially in international missions
Care of the survivors of fallen, missing and deceased comrades
Emergency assistance through a "General Student Fund"
Assisting in the investigation of missing persons fates
Promotion of international understanding for the maintenance of international peace
Participation in the establishment and maintenance of military cemeteries, monuments and memorials
Participation in the history of German paratroopers and airborne troops and special forces as well as support for the establishment and operation of a paratrooper museum
Promotion of skydiving and other military training and continuing education programs and competitions
Promote understanding and cooperation between the generations keeping
Promotion of European cooperation and the growing together of Europe, particularly in the context of the European Union paratroopers
Support for security information work
Support the development of the Airborne and paratroopers and special forces and Specialized in national, European and alliance framework
Support the recruitment campaign for the Bundeswehr
Care of camaraderie among themselves and with members of friendly and connected organizations
The Association of German paratroopers committed to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. He is independent, nonpartisan and nonsectarian. His association's newspaper, "The German paratroopers" provides information on current events, talks about the history of the branch of service, and reports from the active force.

Structure ...
The Association of German paratroopers eV is divided into national and local fraternities fraternities. There are also traditional associations of certain former air landing units / associations and fraternities site. These regional subdivisions meet paratroopers, veterans, reservists and active. Memberships and partnerships.

The Association of German paratroopers eV is also a member of the Federation of German Infantry Association, the Board of Trustees of the Memorial and the German Army Bundeswehr social work. He also belongs to the editorial board reserves the VdRBw work. It has links and partnerships with paratroopers from other nations and is a member of the European Union paratroopers UEP
Members of Newspaper

These were men of character during the war and long after.

[Tom B]

Good friend Rolf Neumann

My old dear friend Rolf Neumann was a member in good standing in this organization from its begining until his death in the 1990's. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio after the war, but would return to Germany each year for the National meeting. I remember in the 80's Rolf wore his EK 1 & Para badge to a OVMS military show ! Swas and all !! NO one asked him to remove them ! He was captured in Italy in 44 and spent the rest of the war in a POW camp in California. I miss him alot, he was a wonderful man. He would be VERY happy & proud to read this post. Thanks from Rolf & me. Tom

[Nigel N]

Hi Mike!
This is something different to see!! As you said, it might not be a 57er, but it fits right in with your 57 FJ collection!!!
Vets associations like this one are i think, always of interest to 57 and postwar collectors, can you imagine being at one of their re-unions, the proud vets wearing their 57ers and talking about their experiences......what stories they could tell!!!!
Great piece Mike, a perfect addition to your collection!!!!!!
-Nigel

[Tom C.]

fantastic quality banner Mike these should befinatly should be shown here.

i might be wrong here i don't know much on the vets organisations but i belive that they split up still under Bund Deutscher Fallschirmjäger but you have vets from the various regiments etc
this banner i think must be for the pioneer vets such as Rudolf Witzig or helmut kraus

all the same display with pride Mike cos its a corker

best regards
tom

[Mike Yokum]

Thanks friends!

Tom B - I gotta tell you I got little choked up reading your post my friend. Honoring these great men is the biggest part of why I collect and participate on a forum like this one. Sure, we all like the "ooh's" and "ahh's" when we post a nice piece and that's great, but for me, it's the history, the men and their struggle. To think that your friend Rolf would have been pleased reading this thread is something I won't soon forget. May he rest in peace.

Nigel - indeed to be a fly on the wall at one of their reunions would be an overwhelming experience. The monumental struggle these men were part of and the pioneering work they did in military doctrine, practice and the equipment/weaponry is worthy of great honor, IMHO. Not to mention their fighting spirit and esprit de corps, for which they're world renowned.

Tom C - agreed. Within the greater Bund Deutscher Fallschirmjäger there were sub-groups like the Fallschirm Pionier Korps and of course, others as well. I'd love to find banners like this one for some or all of the other groups!

[Seewolf]

That is a very nice banner, Mike

I would not hesitate to add such one from a navy assocoation

[Mike Yokum]

Thanks Rüdiger!

I'll keep an eye out for KM banners and you keep an eye out for FJ banners. Deal?

[jonathancol]

This is a mitgliedskarte (membership card) that I have. I was hoping that someone might be able to tell me about it.

Thanks!

[jonathancol]

[Mike Yokum]

What a great item Jon!

It appears, for example, that for the year 1959 an ink stamp was used to make 12 individual "Bezahlt" or "Paid" stamps and in 1960 there are 12, 1 Deutsche Mark paper "stamps." The seem to designate dues or contributions made monthly to the "B.D.F." or Bund Deutsche Fallschirmjäger.

"Grenzland" means borderland near Aachen on the German/Belgian/Dutch border.

Other than that, I'm not much help.

Maybe Rüdiger, Matthias or Uwe will jump in with more information.

It's a neat little item that really belongs in an FJ collection.