Seldom seen paratrooper image

[Eric Queen]

On the surface, its just a photo of some guy standing there with the badge. Look deeper, and it is something you rarely see. This is the first/only such image I have ever owned and only the 3rd of this type I have ever seen (the other 2 in one collection of a WAF member).

What's unusual about it?

[desiro]

My best guess is its something to do with the patch on his left sleeve,really havent gotta clue to be honest.

[JWL]

Most likely FJ of the HG division/regiment.

[Jos L C]

Herman Goering member .., yes..

Jos.

[Alesandro]

Is it because it is a early pic vom Regiment Hermann Göring wiht Fj Badge ?

[Willi Z.]

Yes, a RGG member. Very rare! Between Oct '37 and Mar '38 the RGG had a jump trained 4th battalion. This guy is likely to have been from that unit in that timeframe. It was referred to as the IV. Fallschirmschützen Bataillon/ RGG. They then became the I./ FJR1.

While most pre-war RGG members had red piping around their white tabs and also around the collar, this photo appears to portray yellow piping around the tabs and collar.

Also note that he is wearing his badge below his pocket, instead of on it.

[Eric Queen]

Yes, RGG. The combination of the para badge and RGG cuffband in a studio portrait photo is (for whatever reason) rarely seen in my experience. As I said, this the first (and only) one I have ever had.

I find the reverse interesting as well. It must have been written sometime after the photo was taken as Wagner does not seem to be a Uffz. in the foto. I think it's also possible that someone else (Mother, sister, etc.) wrote the notation on the reverse because I doubt Wagner would have made the Regiment Hermann Göring mistake. I./RGG is correct for the first para volunteers. 13 komp would have been part of IV./Fsch.Sch.Btl. which came later.

[Thomas Durante]

Very interesting and rare Eric, thanks for showing.

Any chance of a quality closeup of the badge to see if we can determine which maker it is?

Thanks

Tom

[Scott C.]

And a close up of the cuff title too (or what's available of it) please. Very nice photo by the way...

[Eric Queen]

Tom,

I sent you a scan of the photo at 400 dpi via email.

No doubt about the band is: RGG EM

EQ

[JWL]

No doubt that this is very early or pre-war photo. Very interesting, thanks for sharing!

[Napalm]

And for those who missed it first time around...Credit to Francy Ritter

http://www.ww2incolor.com/forum/show...t=3494&page=11

[Eric Queen]

And for those who missed it first time around...Credit to Francy Ritter

http://www.ww2incolor.com/forum/show...t=3494&page=11

These are not paratroopers. Just a Lw. officer wearing the RGG sleeveband. These are not even Fsch.Pz.Div. HG personnel as the caption states.

EQ

[JWL]

The comment under #163 says it all...

[David Fettes]

Eric any idea what the last line reads, I can see Fallschirm..... but I cannot work out what the last bit is meant to be.