BACKGROUND: As a result of observations of the Russian experimentation with the newly developing paratroop personnel in 1928 the Germans began serious consideration of also developing paratroop units and plans were drawn up for formation of such units in late 1935. Both the Luftwaffe and Army eventually established paratrooper units, consisting of voluntary personnel, on January 29TH 1936 and March 31ST 1937 respectively and a paratroop training school was established at Stendal in early 1937. Originally development of special clothing and equipment was undertaken by both branches of service to provide the paratroopers with functional items specifically designed with parachute jumps in mind until January 1ST 1939 when all the paratrooper units were transferred to control of the Luftwaffe. During WWII the German’s utilized no fewer then eighteen models of parachutes with minor variations to each. Parachutes used by paratroopers were the automatic type with a static line attached to the aircraft which pulled the pilot chute from the bag, deploying the main parachute, when the individual exited the aircraft while the parachutes utilized by aircrew personnel were the manual type with a pull rip-cord for deployment. The parachutes were not personal items but were retained by the units stores and were distributed as required. When in storage the parachutes were housed in specific protective sheet metal containers.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 30.5cm x 48.5cm x 42.5cm magnetic sheet metal construction, rounded corner, container with a vertical brazed seam to one end for storage of a personal parachute. The container has a removable top lid with swivel hinged, with three of the original four heavy steel wire securing latches brazed to the top edge of each corner. The sides and ends of the container have three evenly spaced, impressed, horizontal, reinforcement ribs. One end of the container has a brazed on, opened metal frame designed to insert an information tag. The information tag is absent. The top lid has two brazed on, swivel, heavy steel wire carrying handles and is well marked with black stenciled script that includes, "Wetterfester Behälter f. Personenfallschirm", (Weather proof container for personal parachute). The script also includes, "Anforderungszeichen Fl 414953", (Requisition number), "Gerät-Nr. 10-5454-B-1", (Model equipment number), and "Hersteller: ebr 44", (Manufacturer). The manufacturers code, "ebr 44", indicates manufacture by Westerman & Co. Metall und Lackierwarenfabrik Neheim-Ruhr in 1944. The interior of the top lid still has its original waterproofing rubber seal intact. The container retains has light to moderate surface spotting through-out. The container is in overall good condition with a few small dings and dents.