Illuminated Kreta Cert Not Always Para
Hi Guys
Many books and articles (including Scott Pritchett's excellent article on the Kreta Cuffband carried on this site) refer to the illuminated award document (the one with the map of Crete at the top, superimposed with a para' eagle) as the 'Fallschirmjaeger version'. I have an example in my collection that was awarded to a Feldwebel on 29th January 1943, but he was a Beobachter with 5./KGzbV 1. There is not usually any indication of the unit on these awards, but I think it is unsafe to assume that all such certificates were awarded to paratroopers.
I do have a 'plain' Kreta document in my collection awarded to a Beobacter from 8./KG 2. Could it be that transport crews were close enough to the paratroopers to get a 'paratrooper version'? After all they delivered them and told them when and where to jump!
Does anyone else have information on this subject?
Best wishes
Tim Oliver
Many books and articles (including Scott Pritchett's excellent article on the Kreta Cuffband carried on this site) refer to the illuminated award document (the one with the map of Crete at the top, superimposed with a para' eagle) as the 'Fallschirmjaeger version'. I have an example in my collection that was awarded to a Feldwebel on 29th January 1943, but he was a Beobachter with 5./KGzbV 1. There is not usually any indication of the unit on these awards, but I think it is unsafe to assume that all such certificates were awarded to paratroopers.
I do have a 'plain' Kreta document in my collection awarded to a Beobacter from 8./KG 2. Could it be that transport crews were close enough to the paratroopers to get a 'paratrooper version'? After all they delivered them and told them when and where to jump!
Does anyone else have information on this subject?
Best wishes
Tim Oliver
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