BACKGROUND: Both the Luftwaffe and Army established paratrooper units on January 29TH 1936 and March 31ST 1937 respectively. The first Luftwaffe paratroop unit was formed as a component of Regiment General Göring. On April 1ST 1938 the 4TH Battalion of Regiment General Göring was transferred to form the cadre of the newly forming Paratroop Division and were designated, "I. Bataillion Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1". On January 1ST 1939 the army’s Fallschirm-Infanterie Battalion was transferred to the control of the Luftwaffe and became "II.Bataillion Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1". These two battalions would become the nucleus of the 7.Flieger (Fallschirm) Division. On August 19TH 1939 a distinctive cufftitle was introduced for wear by all ranks of the regiment. Of Note: It is presumed that green was chosen as the base color for the cufftitle as it was the traditional color of Jäger units and the Polizei, of which the members of the Regiment General Göring were drawn. NCO and Officer’s cufftitles had the addition of Russian braiding to top and bottom edges with the Officer’s versions usually being hand embroidered. Regulations stipulated the cufftitles were to be removed from wear after the beginning of the war, but photographic evidence seems to indicate the regulation wasn’t always adhered to.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Green wool cufftitle with machine embroidered Gothic script, "Fallschirm-Jäger Rgt. 1", in silver/grey cotton threads. Top and bottom edges of cufftitle are piped in silver/grey Russian braid denoting NCO’s rank. Cufftitle is roughly 45cm long and 30mm wide. Reverse of cufftitle has the typical opened back which has been neatly handstitched down but still reveals a protective green fabric backing to interior. Photographed in German Military Cuffbands 1784 to Present (Williamson/McGuirl). Ex Petersen Collection.