CIRCA 1967-1991, DDR, NVA, PARA, NCO, SLEEVE PATCH, PARACHUTIST, BRANCH OF SERVICE
During 1967-1991, the Airborne Service insignia was modified slightly in design. When the new collar insignia introduced a parachute and wings, the wings were removed from the Airborne Service Arm patches.
Patch: NVA Career Specialization, Parachutist
Fabric: Wool.
Size: 2.5 inch/ 6 cm
Color: NVA greenish-grey with orange embroidery.
Ranks: Primarily EM/NCO; not worn by officers except for certain service specializations identified below.
Period of Use: From 1960-1967, by all units. After 1986, service career patches were discontinued with these exceptions:
* Units: Medical Service and Military Music Student). Ranks: EM/NCO.
* Units: Medical Service, Military Justice and Military Musician. Ranks: Officers/Warrant Officers.
This
is a vintage and original military issue Parachutist Qualification Patch from East Germany (Deutsche Demokratische Republik - DDR).
This Patch is from an established collection and is long obsolete and now
getting scarce. This patch is from a small select unit of elite
paratroopers in a country that ceased to exist over 30+ years ago.
Luftsturmregiment
(Air Assault Regiment) Willi Sanger
The NVA introduced a Fallschirmjager
(Paratrooper) battalion in 1962. Designated Fallschirmjagerbattalion-5, this
unit eventually evolved into a 2 battalion, 680-man parachute force known as
Luftsturmregiment-40 (Air Assault Regiment-40) "Willi Sanger". This
was an elite NVA formation noted for it's high level of strike-and-fighting
skill, toughness, motivation, and training.
NVA paratroopers
participated in major Warsaw Pact and NVA exercises like Waffenbrüderschaft 80,
JUG 84, Schild-84, DRUSHBA 86, JUG 87. During the 80's the unit was expanded to
two full air assault battalions (40 and 41) and upon mobilization, plans were
laid for a full brigade staff with support group. On more than one occasion the
fallschirmjagers of "Willi Sanger" were awarded the NVA title
"Best Troop Unit".
Dress and field uniforms
unique to the airborne were developed that readily identified these troops as
members of the DDR's premier combat unit.