GERMAN Fallschirmjäger RZ20 PARACHUTE BAG ORIGINAL 1942

This is an original Fallschirmjäger parachute bag (backpack) that held the RZ20 Parachute.

The bag is marked with the following:

• 3304389
• 10-431 B-1
• Wankkantealla (not completely legible)
• Dated 24, Jun, 1942
• BAL
  1944

Good used condition but there is a front flap tear on the left side of the flap.  You can see it in the images.

Parachutes used by paratroopers were the automatic type with a static line attached to the aircraft which pulled the pilot chute from the bag, deploying the main parachute, when the individual exited the aircraft while the parachutes utilized by aircrew personnel were the manual type with a pull rip-cord for deployment. The parachutes were not personal items but were retained by the units stores and were distributed as required.

The RZ20 parachute was the third pattern parachute developed for Paratroopers and was introduced for operational use in early 1940. The RZ20 followed the basic design of the preceding two models with an improved quick release harness system, and was the first use of a camouflage patterned parachute. The RZ20 parachute was first utilized during the invasion of Crete on May 10TH 1940. Further production of the RZ20 parachute was discontinued in mid-1943.