German Paratroopers: Fallschirmjäger - Origins 1936-1937 

Last time I was this early, Goering could still wear a parachute...

My mother's brother - Georg - "volunteered" to be a Fallschirmjäger in early 1944. He fought against U.S. soldiers during and after D-Day, but his unit decided to surrender after running out of food and ammo. He was shipped to a POW camp in Texas from where he was sent after the war to England where he spent two years as forced labor on a farm, finally returning to Germany in 1947. He's still alive and 90 years old living in Frankfurt am Main.

I'm rather amused by the story of people volunteering after seeing the paratrooper injuring himself on the demonstration jump.

Sure Goering didn't see a photo of Soviet paratrooper rations?

Another reason for separate drop of weapons (except small ones like pistols, knifes and grenades) was that German paratroopers was using overalls which prevented troubles with parachute release line entanglement (the one which they attached themselves in a plane). All those problems (also ones which you've described with odd position during jump and landing) was caused by poor design of a German parachutes. First model was really unfortunate, there was many problem with parachute lines entanglement, major redesign happened just before 1940 but still there was no "directional" lines so control over the fall was minimal and to avoid scattering of a dropped units low drop (130m) altitude was used (so not only to minimize exposure to enemy fire). The odd body posture during jump was also because of this design flaw: because they were dropped from a low altitude they used "automatic" parachute deployment, jerk caused by parachute release line caused swing motion and this posture paratroopers used prevented it (or at lest minimized it). This also was a reason for different landing technique, they were taught to land on both legs and hands, mainly because they could not join their legs during landing. So all this: using of overall covering paratroopers, odd body position during jump and land and because of all this separate weapons drop was caused by poor parachute design. Source: "The Lost Battle Crete 1941" by Callum MacDonald.

Last time I was here, the Fallshrimcjager were still used for their actual purpose instead of basically being Infantry.

Excellent. Would love to see one on Gebirgsjäger too!

Finally, a video about my favorite German unit. Fallschirmjäger

There's a story in my family, that one of my greatuncles, was the one that jumped and broke his ankle at the paratrooper demonstration. Unfortunately I'm not able to proof that story, but it went on from my grandparents, to my parents and to me.

It would be very interesting if you made some video about Fall grün (planned german attack on Czechoslovakia) becase there is a lot of "what if's" also a lot of controversy and the topic is rather overlooked. If you would do a video about that, I could help with research and provide some information and sources about that.

Interesting that you made this video the day you did, as I just purchased and started reading Beevor’s “Crete 1941” today

I always wondered why did they drop their weaponry sepeartly from the paratroopers, now I know. vielen dank :D

I did appreciate this intro to the fallschrimjager. I think there is more that can be explored, for example the origins and use of the FG42, one of the first and well made bullpup rifles. Fallschrimjager tactics are also interesting. So their use in Sicily basically failed terribly, but most of that was, as you said, they were dropped away from their ammo and weapons. How would this action fare if they were dropped with useful weapons, ie: FG42, or even dropped in coordination with regular arms, k98k or mp40s.

Back in June 1994, I was part of the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day landings. I actually got to meet men/vet of the 6th Fallschirmjager. DAMN GOOD MEN. One had jumped into Crete. They had a knock down drag out with a unit from the 90th Infantry Division. They called a temporary cease fire to attend to the wounded. Medics from both sides shared supplies. To this day, those who are still alive have a relationship.

German parachutes as stated were belts buckled around the body which connected to a ring in the middle of the back. The lines from the actual chute also connected to this ring meaning there was no control of the chute at all and very unstable. US and British chutes had 2 belts from each shoulder which connected to the chute lines above the head giving some control. Some Americans drowned in the swamps on D-Day trying to unbuckle the belts. On British chutes the body belts all connected to a locking and release device on the chest. One thump on this release all the belts allowing the man to abandon his chute immediately. Of Soviets parachute design I know nothing.

Lol my jump instructors were former Fallschirmjäger. Jump training lasted 6 hours, static line 700 meters😅 With heavy heavy wind😁🤘🤣

I remember seeing videos of their single rope parachutes and how they spin and wobble the whole way down!

Nice video, haven't been this interested in the Fallschirmjäger since I read "The Eagle has landed"

My Grandfather was a Fallschirmjager.. or Green Devil :).

I hope this becomes a series. Please, more about german Paratroopers~especially excited about the fg42

Good video, I'd like to see more on the Japanese Paratrooper efforts. But I guess that would be pretty hard to find out about. Guess I'll have to become a Patreon and request it :D

I’ve enjoyed learning about the origins of many of the units in the Second World War. Ans I love the content.

Hi, did you ever think to do a video about the invasion of Malta? And how this could have changed the war in north Afrika?

Just hold your rifle and drop just before you land. You would have to find it, but it's probably not as bad trying to catch your own parachute.

Great Video, Thank You

The Fallschirmjäger are the world's most deadliest bicyclers.

Needs to say more about the German parachute design, its flaws and peculiarities.

this is one of my favorite units of the war to learn about and the only german unit that i look at with honor.....

Really nice topic! Well explaied! Looking forward to more follows on the Fallschirmjäger. Also their part of atrocities compared to other branches of third reich armed forces.

Hello! I am curious because I have often seen Fallschirmjager (late war) operating with Stug assault guns and Panzer IVs; Now the Stugs could simply be attached to the standard Anti - Tank Battalion of a Fallschirmjager Division but where do the Panzer IV's originate from? Are they just from another division operating with the Fallschirmjager? I'd love to know!

Last time I was so early that rhineland was still demilitarized

I don't really understand the part between 9:38 and 9:44, what "military law" do you mean that would make soldiers (in uniform and with badges, so identifiable as combatants) be court martialed for fighting? Blowing up bridges, supply depots etc. are no war crime, so why would that be?

good videos.

Allies had much better rigs, no forward landing business if you can help it. Our modern guys jump with their carbines strapped to them. As a bigger bloke, I had the mg, which was strapped to my pack and lowered before I hit the ground. Bugger having no gat when you hit the ground. Makes you feel for the lads on DDay losing their leg bags.

0:20 the first battalion transvestite brigade?

Last time I was this early, France was still in the war.

Do you believe there's such a thing as an Elite Division, when a division gets enough combat experience to warrant the title, I know it's not really an official title I've just heard many WW2 documentaries say "the Elite 101st Airborne Division, the Elite SS Panzer Division," and etc, or just experienced divisions?

Ah yes the Fallschirmjager,,the best trained and hardest fighting infantry in World War II.

I’m an American, you would make a lot more money if you would speak well of the Wehrmacht, we love that army here! Food for thought