Yugoslavia, Kingdom. A Rare Paratrooper’s Badge c.1941

Badge in darkened cast bronze, 71.9mm x 52.25mm, it weighs 32.5 grams, stamped/marked on reverse “C F C”, in near mint condition, and extremely rare.

Footnote: Royal Yugoslav military Paratrooper’s unit was raised in Pančevo, Serbia, during 1939-1940 (1st Class); all Officer’s and men who completed the course received the badge, however of very different design then Pilot’s and Observer’s badge (only photos of this badge exist on contemporary photo and school poster). After the short War against the Germans in June of 1941, many Yugoslav airman exiled to Egypt, joining English forces. It was in Egypt that this badge was constructed, by means of using Yugoslav observer’s badge, cutting out the center, and inserting a parachute. And in typical Egyptian fashion, the badge was cast in bronze (in my opinion GF on reverse of the badge represents the maker, while “C” stands for – Cairo). It is known that Yugoslav paratroopers parachuting into Yugoslavia during WWII from British planes wore this type of the badge. For more information on this badge, see “Dusan Babic, Vojne Oznake u Srbiji 1845-1945”, p.221, where author describes this type of the badge.