WW2 GERMAN FALLSHIRMJAGER TUNIC, 7 FLIEGER DIVISION
HISTORY
The 7. Flieger-Division was formed in 1938 to command all the parachute forces of the Luftwaffe and was reported as combat ready on 1 September 1938 in time for Operation Grün, the planned invasion of Czechoslovakia but that operation was cancelled following the Munich agreement.
Elements of the division took part in the fighting in Poland though only as motorized infantry in the middle of September 1939.
During Operation Weserübung, the invasion of Denmark and Norway elements of the divisions were successfully used to capture key air field in both countries in April 1940.
A 185 men strong company under Oberleutnant Herbert Schmidt was dropped near the near the vital railroad junction of Dombås 14 April where they blocked traffic between Oslo and Trondheim until they were forced to surrender to the Norwegian forces after five days of heavy fighting.
Elements of the division was dropped at Narvik in May to support the gebirgsjäger fighting there.
Most of the division fought in the invasion of the Netherlands, primarily to capture three key bridges (Schachter, Veldwezelt and at Vroenhoeven) and the Eben Emael Fortress as well as the failed attack on the Hague where a large number of Germans were taken prisoner. During the fighting in the Netherlands the division commander Kurt Student was accidentally shot in the head by soldiers from Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.
During the summer of 1940 the division was preparing for the planned invasion of the United Kingdom, Operation Seelowe, but those plans were shelved in October.
In April the second regiment took part in the invasion of Greece, Operation Marita, with an parachute assault near Corinth to capture a key bridge.
In May the division took part in the attack on Crete.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This Tunic came from a recent collection purchase in Melbourne and is in good condition showing only minor moth nips and tracking to the rear skirt and one collar tab. there is also wear to the bottom of the pockets, all shown in the images. The left arm has the Narvik Shield and the Kreta (Crete) cufftitle and a rank chevron. This leads to the original wearer being from the 7 Flieger Division who fought in both battles. There are no size or maker markings to the interior indicating private purchase. This tunic is rare amongst Fallshirmjager tunics with the value of the Narvik badge (of which only 2161 were issued to the Luftwaffe) and the Kreta Cuff Title being valued at around $AU1500 on their own. A great piece for the Fallshirmjager collector.