fallschirmjager

A very nice single decal Fallschirmjäger or paratrooper helmet. The helmet is in very good condition and complete with its original liner, chinstrap and bolts. The helmet still retains up to 90% of its wartime paint and decal. Nicely marked ET66 indicating production by Eisen- u. Huettenwerke, Thale, Harz. The helmet is a size 66 shell with a size 54 liner. The liner is supple and in good condition. The straps are also supple with functional snaps and buckle. The helmet would be a great addition to any helmet collection!

Stunnning photograph and document grouping to Gefreiter Erwin Forkel, 2. Kompanie Fallschirmjäger Artillerie Regiment 1 which is a part of the first Fallschirmjäger-Division. Forkel jumped onto the island of Crete and survived the landing and fierce battles following after. He was assigned with the Fallschirmjäger Artillerie Regiment 1 equipped with the  recoilless 7.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 40. 

The grouping consists of a number of signed documents, awards and a stunning and highly impressive photo album with over 240 pictures on the Crete campaign.

The documents are all named to Erwin Forkel and signed by several high ranking and famous members of staff such as Geudens, General der Fallschirmtruppe Richard Heidrich and Generalleutnant Sponheimer (21.ID). The documents are both hand signed, manuscript and facsimile. The documents are for the Sturmabzeichen, Verwundetenabzeichen, Eiserne Kreuz 1. Klasse, Ostmedaille, Ärmelband Kreta, Fallschirmschützen Abzeichen and Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe. The documents come with Forkels original wound badge, EK1 and Kreta cuff title. Erwin Forkel was a highly decorated Fallschirmjäger!

The photo album is like the document grouping highly impressive. There are over 240 pictures, maps and postcards bound in a thick beaten and battered album that must have travelled with him a lot. The front of the album has the big title KRETA and is loose from the album(!). The album focusses a few pictures on barracks and jump training soon to move to Crete. The Crete invasion is well documented in the album, from the loading of planes to the jumping itself and the following battles. There are many non published pictures that show the combat conditions they where in. Many pictures show destroyed British tanks, dead British soldiers and fully equipped Fallschirmjäger in trenches with equipment and weapons.

The grouping would be a centrepiece in any Fallschirmjäger collection, especially for those who collect the early war items. The album speaks for itself and is even way more impressive in hand. A stunning grouping to one man that for sure that would be very, very hard to upgrade!

Incredibly scarce set of two ammunition carrying bags for the MG34 and MG42 ammunition boxes. Manufactured from late war material same as used for MP44 pouches and reinforced with Presstoff. These carrying bags where designed to carry a set of two ammunition boxes. Two cells made out of canvas with a H shaped harness in between. There are roughly two different types of these pouches produced, one is with releasable and one is with fixed straps/harness. The straps are stitched onto the pouches with a piece of Presstoff reinforcement on the inside. These pouches are the second type, with permanently affixed straps. Nicely RBNr marked inside. These sets where mostly used by Fallschirmjäger and Waffen-SS troops later in the war. These bags are incredibly scarce and the first and only set I’ve ever encountered. Can’t be upgraded!

A nice original and combat worn German paratrooper smock or Knochensack marked Rudolph Hubert & Cie 1.A B.42. Manufactured from heavy twill material with parts out of Grünmeliert smock material. One period repair to the back skirt. The smock retains all of its period sewn buttons and rust free press studs. The zippers are marked Elite and are all in functioning condition. The smock retains nice and vibrant colours with a nice light use just perfect for a combat mannequin. The breast eagle is resewn but original. The smock is a very nice large size fitting for most if not all mannequins. This smock was surely worn during the war and has loads of character. Hard to upgrade original Fallschirmjäger Knochensack in honest worn condition!

A very nice late war paratrooper or Fallschirmjäger helmet shell marked CKL68. The helmet is in good used condition and still retains some of its original paint. Hard to find good condition original Fallschirmjäger helmet shell!

A nice original late war splitter pattern German paratrooper or Fallschirmjäger K98 ammunition bandoleer. In nice used condition with one damage on the bottom. The bandoleer still retains its nice and vibrant colours!