Insignes et brevets des premiers parachutistes français. 1936-1946

At the end of 1946, the "parachuting military certificate" badge was created. Before this date, no single badge attesting to this qualification was displayed in the French army. During the hostilities and in the immediate post-war period, the vagaries of the training of French paratroopers outside metropolitan France would generate a great diversity of badges demonstrating membership in elite troops or special services.

It is this variety of French and foreign badges and badges with strong paratrooper symbolism that the book presents, by evoking the circumstances of the creation of the first airborne units in France, Great Britain, French North Africa and the training of parachute agents in British and American jump centers in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Drawing on the best sources on the history of French military parachuting, calling on public or private museums and the experience of seasoned collectors, the authors wanted to bring together diffuse, sometimes confidential knowledge, as well as significant photographic documentation, most often unpublished, to illustrate the creation and wearing of these badges.

This exceptional work, essential for collectors and researchers interested in the saga of the French paratroopers, presents a number of nominative sets including badges, diplomas or certificates of brevet which help to authenticate, date and locate the manufacture of certain pieces.