|
In 1938, the Hungarian Ministry of Defence
decided to create an airborne infantry force the, "Ejtoernyos"
(paratroopers). A parachute test center was established on Szent Endre, an
island in the Danube river near the capital city of Budapest. Even though
parachuting was in it's infancy in 1938, many enthusiastic Hungarian army
infantry NCOs and officers volunteered to join this new unit. Parachutes
and other airborne equipment were purchased from all over Europe and from
the USA. The Italian Salvadore parachute, the German Schrodor parachute,
and the US Irving parachute were all utilized by the Hungarians. This
elite, special unit made many parachute drops with the newly acquired
equipment from WW1-era Italian Caproni 101 aircraft.
Later, in 1939, the Hungarian army
developed its own locally-manufactured airborne equipment, knee and elbow
pads and a jump smock, as well as the H-39M parachute. The Hungarians also
updated their aircraft inventory with the Savoia-Marchetti SM-75,
purchased from Italy, and other modern aircraft.
 |
| February 1940 Royal Hungarian Army Gazette
Nr. a 1042/ein. 2/r. |
Several flamboyant badges were created for
this elite airborne fighting force. The basic paratrooper qualification
badges (known as the Death Head Badge) were instituted in February 1940
(Royal Hungarian Army Gazette Nr. a 1042/ein. 2/r). The badges were
designed and created by the paratroopers themselves. The basic badge was
awarded after five successful training jumps.
The basic parachute badge depicted
outstretched wings, to the center of the badge, there is a bronze skull,
from which derives the badge's name, Death Head Badge. Beneath the skull
are crossed swords, pointing downwards. The basic paratrooper badge exists
in three grades: officer, made from gilt bullion wire; NCO, in silver
bullion wire; and EM, a stamped brass badge with bronzed finish.
Some of the EM metal basic paratrooper
badges were chromed with a bright silver finish for formal wear. The EM
brass badge measured 80mm from wing tip to wing tip and 36mm from the
lower base of the badge to the top of the badge, the bullion wing had the
same measurements but variances in size occurred due to different
manufactures or custom tailoring for the officers wing in bullion wire.
In 1942 a second type EM metal badge was
designed for wear, which had a more stream lined, slightly different
design wing and slightly larger then the first type, the skull and swords
logo was retained. The second type wing was made from stamped brass, some
manufactures employed a gilt finish to the EM basic paratrooper badge.
Although their are several different finishes employed with this brass
metal basic EM paratrooper badge they were issued for enlisted personnel
only and are not for NCOs or officers.
In 1940 a "First Class Parachutist Badge"
was authorized for wear by parachutists who had completed at least 25
first class (perfect) jumps. This badge depicts a large, bronze parachute
rising above a skull and crossed daggers, surrounded by an ornate wreath
of dark-green enamel. A cloth version of this badge with bullion
embroidery was also authorized for wear by officers and NCOs. The author
has seen one example of the Hungarian gilt master parachutist bullion
badge, in the holdings of the Hungarian Military Museum in Budapest, that
has a crown of St. Stephen to the top of the badge; this was described to
the author as a prototype badge. The First Class Parachutist Badge came in
one grade with the bronzed or bronzed gilt skull, chute and crossed
daggers. The basic measurements of the master badge are 64 mm high, by 47
mm wide, the width of the canopy measures 25 mm.
|
