GERMAN PARACHUTES

German parachute troops use at least three types of parachutes: marked RZ1, RZ16, and 36DS28. The RZ16, which was invented and first constructed at Cologne, has been in service since the beginning of 1941, and, because it opens without shock, is fast becoming the preferred type.

Parachute equipment is divided into four main parts: the parachute proper (or canopy and rigging lines), the containing bag and pack, the harness, and the accessories.

The parachute itself consists of a silken (or substitute material) canopy made up of a certain number of panels, each panel cut in the shape of a thin isosceles triangle with the apex removed. (See fig. 9.) Each of the three types has 28 panels. Each panel has 4 gores (tapered sections), cut from a single piece of material in such manner that warp and weft are both at an angle of 45 degrees to the long axis of the panel. Panels are numbered serially in the lower corner, number 1 carrying in addition the special markings of the parachute. These are the manufacturer's stamp or trademark, which includes type, mark number, weight, date of manufacture, and identification number; the manufacturer's inspection mark, giving the date of the last factory inspection; and the Air Ministry stamp which gives the date of the Air Ministry inspection.

In a German parachute with 28 panels there are 14 rigging lines which pass through the top vent. The lines are continued down through the seams on opposite sides of the canopy and then run as free lines to the lift webs. Each line is 21 meters (69 feet) long, so that with a canopy 62 square meters (648 square feet) in area, there are some 5 to 6 meters (16 to 20 feet) of free rigging line on each side, between the periphery of the canopy and the lift webs.

When packed, the canopy and rigging lines fold inside the bag, which is fastened by means of a ring to the static line. The bag is then contained within the pack, which consists of a base (next to the man's back) and four flaps which close over the bag. A further bag, in which the whole parachute is kept during shipment, is included among the accessories, and is removed when the person enters the plane.

The harness is made of webbing and consists of a belt with a large buckle in front, two braces, two thigh straps, and a strap across the top of the chest. It is connected to the rigging lines by hemp lift webs. Each web is so made that its lower end forms an eye which fits into the appropriate "D" ring of the harness, where it is secured by a screw, the free upper ends being joined to form two eyes. To each of the four eyes so formed, seven rigging-line ends are attached.

The parachutes are automatically opened by a static cord, 6 meters (20 feet) long, fastened to the inside of the plane. which pulls the bag away from the pack, releasing the canopy. The cord then becomes detached, taking the bag with it. After a drop of some 80 feet the parachute has become completely operative and the subsequent falling speed of a man and parachute is about 16 feet per second. The shock felt by the parachutist when he reaches the ground is comparable to that transmitted by a jump without parachute of from 16 to 18 feet.

Early tests also showed that the static line sometimes fouled the canopy on opening. The static line problem was solved with the improved version of the RZ1, called the RZ16, which replaced it in early 1940. The RZ16 static line was stowed side to side on top of the contents of the parachute pack. This outer cover was also stitched to the harness instead of being attached with string. The RZ16 canopy bag was fitted with external loops for the stowing of the shroud lines. The harness still retained the two slide release buckles and snap hooks on the legs.The carry lines attached at the waist and gave the jumper no control during descent. As you can see above, this Fj is suspended at an angle as he comes in to land.
The RZ1 & RZ16 although safe for the wearer were difficult to remove on landing. The RZ20 was similar to the RZ16 parachute but the new harness was fitted with 4 quick release buckles which enabled the parachutist to clamber free of his chute quickly and more easily than before, most welcome when landing under fire or caught in a ground wind. Men trying to struggle free of parachute harnesses became easy targets. It was first used in the battle for Crete in May 1941 and continued in service until the end of the war. The number of canopy panels were reduced in this variant from 28 to 20.
Parachute colourings were also improved at this time, until now the main colour was white, which showed up to easily on the ground and acted as a beacon. Crete saw the use of camouflage-patterned canopy’s as well as white. Officers were distinguished by white capped canopy’s for easy recognition. At the time the camouflage canopies were introduced a rumour spread amongst the men that the chemicals in the dye's used to colour the cutes effected the smooth opening of the chute itself. (A veteran told me a story regarding a training accident which occured whilst he was an instructor at Salzwedel. An Italian officer died when his parachute did not fully open. The canopy only partially deployed, it had a long crease along its width and did not open properly. This type of phenomenon was known as a "Brotchen" after the German bread roll served for breakfast, which had a crease along the top)
Another variant was designed called the RZ36, which was triangular in shape and based on a Russian design. It offered less of a shock to the wearer upon opening, less swinging motion during the drop and a softer landing. Its designer sought after a patent but for some reason the military were not interested in it and it never saw service, although Oberst Baron von der Heydte used a Russian Triangular parachute for the drop into the Ardennes. (this may not have been the case after all and it was used in limited numbers during the ardennes operation, information uncovered by Willi Zahn)
1944 saw the introduction of another design of parachute of the ribbon design, which was supposed to give better control, but saw limited service.
Special cargo parachutes were also designed to enable heavy equipment to be dropped to the paratroops. They consisted of 5 parachutes packed into one bag and were attached to recoilless rifles; anti-tank guns and even motorcycle combinations.
Parachutes were also fitted to the Fallschirmjäger's most vital piece of equipment, the air dropped weapons and supply containers. In the early airborne operations including Crete, only a few german paratroopers jumped with their personal weapons, (with the exception of pistols which were carried in the built in flare pistol holsters stitched into the back of the jump smock, as well as handgrenades).
After Crete, all paratroops were trained to jump with their weapons to give direct fire upon landing. All weapons from rifles and smg's to MG34/42's were dropped separately from the men in rectangular cannisters. They would be dropped simultaneously from the transport aircraft using the same automatically deployed parachute, which meant a mad scramble upon landing to reach the weapons before they could become a fighting unit.
Only glider borne troops could fight straight after landing as they were dropped with all their equipment. The problem with the containers was the chance of them falling into enemy hands as so often happened in Crete.
Up until operation Mercury there were 3 sizes of container, but Crete saw the standardization of one container, used for all supplies from weapons and ammunition to medical supplies and rations.
The containers were marked with their units designation and coloured markings to show the contents, they could also be fitted with coloured smoke markers for better recognition
The box itself was heavily padded on the interior to protect the contents from the shock of hitting the ground, all contents were secured with leather straps. Two handles were fitted externally for easy lifting and inside was fitted a tow bar and a 2 wheel set which could be fitted to the container and used as a tow. Containers could be towed together in groups and many photographs taken in Crete show paratroops pulling them with makeshift slings and even donkeys were appropriated from farms to pull the containers..
The bottom of the container was fitted with a light metal corregated shock absorber which helped to protect the cannister on landing, this could be replaced making the container reusable.
Tests and research revealed that safe drops could only be made below 400ft with winds of 14mph or less. This improved the accuracy of the drop and also reduced the time in the air, therefore keeping the surprise element. A demonstration jump by the Fallschirm-Lehr battalion showed that 13 well trained parachutists could exit a JU-52 in 8 seconds. At an altitude of 330 feet and an aircraft speed of 120 miles per hour their dispersal distance would only be 25 yards between each man. Any jump carried outside of these parameters would result in the wide scattering of the stick of paratroops and more time for ground troops to react. The lowest recorded German airdrop was over Crete when some of the Fallschirmjäger jumped from 250ft. (which is a very daunting thought, a 75m jump, 9m of it static line !!)
The canopy of the parachute was packed into a cloth bag with a thin cord attached to the apex of the canopy and the other end attached to the mouth of the cloth bag. The 9 meter static line was also attached to the canopy bag.
A crucifix jump position was adopted where the parachutist would launch himself spread-eagled, horizontally out of the aircraft by means of two handles either side of the exit. This reduced the swinging motion when the canopy opened and thus reduced the risk of the parachutist getting tangled up in the shroudlines. On jumping, the nine metre static line which was attached to a cable in the aircraft, would pay out . When it became taught it pulled the canopy bag from the chute pack. The bag would be ripped from the folded canopy and remain attached to the end of the static line flapping behind the aircraft. The parachutist would freefall whilst the canopy developed and the shroud lines payed out. The canopy would fully develop then the wearer would be exposed to the huge jerking effect as the shroudlines finished paying out. The parachute was designed to fully deploy after only 100ft. The crucifix jump was not the best position for landing and called for the parachutist to land on all fours, which resulted in a high proportion of serious ankle and wrist injuries even when wearing padded protection.

With ankle and knee injuries very common in training, instructors stood on the ground and shouted instructions to the pupils with megaphones as they approached the ground to ensure they did not forget the drills and injure themselves. Bob Frettlöhr, a Pioneer veteran had this to say, "We had three quarter length boots that were fastened at the side, in order to maximise strength, and your ankles were also strapped. Despite these measures my ankles have since been a weak point and will sprain easily. We were taught above all, to always keep our feet and knees together, with the knees bent for impact".
Each paratrooper was required to pack his own chute with the aid of a helper (servicewomen packed the chutes of British paratroops), this was good incentive to make sure the parachute was packed properly and opened correctly. Incidents involving incorrectly packed chutes did happen with disastrous results. When not in use the parachutes were normally kept in a Burlap sack fitted with carrying handles. These bags were often tucked into the smock or harness on a training jump so the wearer had it about him when he went to re-pack his chute. For transportation, the parachutes were put in the carry sacks and placed in metal containers, which were watertight and sealed with 2 fold down metal handles.

Another photo taken at Wittstock during jump training. The Fallschirmtruppe had several Fallschirmschule in operation during WW2. The first jumps were made at Stendal in May 1936 and this later became Fallschirmschule I.
In April 1939, the school at Stendal was moved to Wittstock and re-named Fj.Schule II but was moved back again a year later. Fallschirmschule III was then opened at Braunschweig followed in 1941 by Fallschirmschule IV at Salzwedel. In 1943, the school at Stendal was moved to France and split into two training units, one at Dreux near Paris and one at Lyon, to accomodate the raising of FJD3.u.5 in France.
As the allies advanced in Europe, so the Fallschirmschule began to close. Firstly the french schools, then II & III and lastly Fj.Schule.IV late in 1944.

RZ1 PARACHUTE

The original German parachute, which saw use until 1940. This utilized the above RZ1 harness, with an olive canvas pack containing another inner parachute bag (with white rayon-blend canopy) with attached double-riser and shroud lines. The double-riser actually functions as one (attaches to the risers at one point), causing the jumper to spin helplessly after deployment of the chute. Upon jumping, the static line draws the chute out (along with the inner bag), deploying the chute. The large pack bag remains hooked to the jumper's harness.

In the thirties General Student had achieved a great organisational feat by laying the foundations of the German Fallschirmtruppe, but they were still without their most basic piece of equipment, the parachute.
Tests were carried out in the mid thirties at the Luftwaffe test centre at Stendal and the result was the RZ1(Rückenfallschirm Zwangsauslösung 1) parachute, which was loosely based on a civil aviation design. This parachute was first used at the beginning of the war and was an automatically deployed parachute by means of a static line which was attached to a wire cable on the inside of the transport aircraft.
The RZ1 had a half globe canopy made from white silk and consisted of 28 sections with a surface area of 56 square metres. The canopy consisted of three parts, the apex, canopy panels and skirt. Attached to the skirt were the shroud lines, which met at a central point where they were joined to two carry lines, which in turn were attached to the parachute harness by means of two snap hooks.
The canopy was packed apex first into the deployment bag, which was then placed into the parachute outer cover with the apex nearest the top. The static line was attached to this end of the bag. The shroud lines were then packed vertically on top of the deployment bag. Four flaps on the outside of the cover were then secured with a securing pin, which was also attached to the static line.
The parachute pack cover was attached to the harness D rings with heavy string. The two carry lines at the bottom of the pack were secured to two larger D rings on the waist of the harness with the snap hooks. The RZ1 tended to swing badly in windy conditions and it had a high drop rate, the wearer could not reach the shroud lines which made it difficult to control and increased scattering on the ground.

RZ16 PARACHUTE

Type RZ16--Rückenfallschirm Zwangsauslösung 16 (back-pack, compulsion-opening parachute, type 16)-—since the beginning of 1941 has been replacing the RZ1, which opens sometimes with a dangerous jerk. The RZ16, because of its ingenious construction, opens without shock, and its opening is said to be 100 percent sure. The parachutes used in jumping schools are pure silk and are valued at 1,000 marks apiece; but the combat parachutes, intended for use only once, are made of artificial silk, or "macoo." The suspension lines are drawn together a few feet above the belt of the parachutist’s harness, to the back of which they are attached by two hemp harness cords; in the air, the man seems to dangle from a single string. With the airplane traveling at 80 to 100 miles per hour, the standard height of drop is just under 400 feet. After a clear drop of about 80 feet, the parachute takes over and the subsequent rate of descent is 16 to 17 feet per second (11 miles per hour). Reports on colored parachutes are various--black, white or beige, brown, and green are all used; the principal purpose seems to be ease of recognition, though there may be some small camouflage effect against the ground (but not against the sky).

RZ20 PARACHUTE

An almost completely different design of the harness, featuring 4 quick-release buckles on the hips, belt, and chest straps which would allow the jumper to immediately cast it off and enter combat. The harness was otherwise the same basic configuration as the RZ1 & 16.

The pack and parachute are otherwise very similar to the RZ16, however the parachute canopy was camouflaged green & brown and the shroud lines were field-gray. The RZ20 was introduced in 1940 and saw service till the end of the war.

RZ36 PARACHUTE

Yet another different design of the harness, featuring one central quick-release junction that releases the 4 points of the harness, mounted in the center of the chest. This design is obviously based on the British "X-type" release.

The pack is similar in design to the RZ20, but the canopy is completely different, being delta-shaped rather than the standard circular style. This was meant to give the RZ36 jumper the ability to glide and steer, but in reality it made little difference. The concept did however give way to the modern canopies you see today that are fully steerable.

TRAINING OF GERMAN PARACHUTISTS

German parachutists (Fallschirmjaeger) are members of the Air Force who have met high physical requirements and have completed a rigorous course in one of the several large jumping schools, which are under the command of Brigadier General Ramcke. Jumping School No. 1, at Stendal, is said to have closed in December 1940; No. 2, at Wittstock, 55 miles northwest of Berlin, still exists; No. 3, at Braunschweig, 120 miles west of Berlin is said to have closed about March 1942; what is called Maubeuge Jumping School opened about January 1942 in the neighborhood of Paris, France. Each active school is said to graduate between 1,000 and 1,500 trainees a month, who then normally return to their original units. Parachute school graduates, especially selected for toughness, are given further specialized training in assault tactics and assigned to assault or parachute regiments. In the spring of 1941, great attention was suddenly placed on an immediate increase in parachute troops. Numerous officers, who had seen action on the Western Front, reported to advanced instructors' schools. Training was given both in open and rugged or mountainous country, and in dropping of equipment and supplies in flights both day and night. It is estimated that more than 50,000 soldiers of the German Army now wear the diving-eagle badge of the trained parachute trooper. In each parachutist is instilled a high esprit de corps; he is taught that parachute troops perform a very important function.1

a. Progressive Training Program
The training program is divided into ground and air phases. Recruits begin their course by learning to fall on the ground without injuring themselves. Next they learn to use the parachute harness in practice jumps at a low height from the doors of dummy airplanes. Then they are taught how to control their parachutes in the air by being suspended in their harnesses from a pulley-operated training arrangement. They are also taught to disengage themselves quickly from the parachutes as soon as they have landed. Very definite details about the training of one of the men of the German 5th Parachute Regiment are given in Appendix A.

--------------------------------------------------------------------Der windesel

b. Care and Packing of Parachutes
One of the most important features of the ground phase is the course in the care and packing of parachutes. Each trooper is made personally responsible for his own equipment, and no man jumps unless in a parachute packed by himself. (In this, as in many other aspects of their training, the Germans are not ahead of U.S. practice.)

c. Jumping Requirements
Having mastered the ground instructions, the pupil begins the air phase. This consists of 6 jumps, the first of which he makes alone from an altitude of about 600 feet. His next 2 jumps are made in company with 4 or 5 other trainees from an altitude of 450 feet. The fourth jump is made from this same altitude with about 10 other students, either at dawn or sunset in order to experience the light conditions of an actual attack. The fifth jump is made in combat teams of 10, each team being carried in one of 3 aircraft flying in formation. The sixth and final jump is made under simulated combat conditions from 9 aircraft flying in formation at altitudes slightly below 400 feet.

d. Training for Ground Combat
German parachutists receive thorough ground combat training. Their individual instruction includes such subjects as marksmanship, scouting, and mechanical training on weapons. Their unit training emphasizes combat problems, demolition work, and strenuous field exercises. The training of German parachutists for ground combat resembles in many respects that given by the British to their commando units. Parachute units, of course, must practice extensively with air units, and occasionally with air-landing units.

e. Possibility of Special Sabotage Training
The captured documents relating to the attack against Crete do not indicate that German air-borne troops were expected to commit sabotage in the true sense of the word. Damage was to be inflicted, but prisoners maintained that they had not been trained to wear, and would not wear, foreign uniforms. It has been pointed out, however, that there may well be a separate German organization for the dropping of small parties of parachute troops, possibly speaking foreign languages and wearing foreign uniforms, to create confusion, conduct sabotage, and contact fifth columnists. If so, these "parachutists" should be distinguished from the parachute regiments, which are used for large-scale open attack on important military positions