| Radio Operator & Air Gunner's Badge Luftwaffen-Fliegerschützen-Bordfunker-und Bordmechanikerabzeichen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Badge |
| Presented by | Nazi Germany |
| Eligibility | Military personnel |
| Campaign(s) | World War II |
| Established | 1935 |
| First awarded | 1935 |
| Last awarded | prior to June 1942 |
The Radio Operator & Air Gunner's Badge ( German: Fliegerschützenabzeichen für Bordfunker) is a commonly accepted title for the Luftwaffen-Fliegerschützen-Bordfunker-und Bordmechanikerabzeichen (Combined Air Gunner, Radio Operator and Flight Engineer Badge). [1] It was a German military decoration awarded to radio operators, air gunners, and mechanics ( flight engineers) who were members of the German Air Force ( Luftwaffe). This is given after they completed two months training or had taken part in at least five operational flights. [1] [2] If wounded during an operational flight, the badge could be awarded and worn earlier. Later in June 1942, a separate badge was introduced for air gunners and flight engineers. That badge had the same qualifications. [3] [4]
Description
The badge came into existence in 1935. [1] It was to be worn on the lower section of the left breast side of the tunic, below the Iron Cross. [5] The badge was oval in shape and had a silver-plated outside wreath around the rim. The middle of the wreath had a national eagle "flying from left to right in a downwards direction"; clutched in its claws were two crossed arrow-head lightning bolts. [1] [4] The polished eagle was also silver-plated, but made of "oxidized old-silver" giving it a different shade of color than the polished wreath. The right side of the wreath was composed of laurel leaves and the left side of oak leaves. A Nazi swastika was at the bottom middle of the outside wreath. [1] The badge was originally made of aluminum. However, it was made only of a simple metal alloy during the latter stages of World War II. [6] There was a cloth version of the badge for Luftwaffe N.C.O.'s. The officer's cloth version was made of "silver bullion". [4] [6]
On 22 June 1942, a separate Air Gunner's and Flight Engineer's badge ( German: Fliegerschützenabzeichen für Bordschützen und Bordmechaniker) was introduced. [7] It was awarded after an air gunner, mechanic (flight engineer), or aircrew meteorologist completed the same criteria which was required for this badge. [3] [4]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e Angolia 1987, p. 183.
- ^ Previtera 2008, p. 237.
- ^ a b Angolia 1987, pp. 183, 188.
- ^ a b c d Ailsby 1987, p. 202.
- ^ Angolia 1987, pp. 183, 186.
- ^ a b Angolia 1987, p. 185.
- ^ Angolia 1987, p. 188.
References
- Ailsby, Christopher (1987). Combat Medals of the Third Reich. Harpercollins. ISBN 978-0850598223.
- Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.
- Previtera, Steven (2008). Combat Badges of the Third Reich (Volume 2 Luftwaffe). Winidore Publishing. ISBN 978-0967307046.
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| Radio Operator & Air Gunner's Badge Luftwaffen-Fliegerschützen-Bordfunker-und Bordmechanikerabzeichen | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Type | Badge |
| Presented by | Nazi Germany |
| Eligibility | Military personnel |
| Campaign(s) | World War II |
| Established | 1935 |
| First awarded | 1935 |
| Last awarded | prior to June 1942 |
The Radio Operator & Air Gunner's Badge ( German: Fliegerschützenabzeichen für Bordfunker) is a commonly accepted title for the Luftwaffen-Fliegerschützen-Bordfunker-und Bordmechanikerabzeichen (Combined Air Gunner, Radio Operator and Flight Engineer Badge). [1] It was a German military decoration awarded to radio operators, air gunners, and mechanics ( flight engineers) who were members of the German Air Force ( Luftwaffe). This is given after they completed two months training or had taken part in at least five operational flights. [1] [2] If wounded during an operational flight, the badge could be awarded and worn earlier. Later in June 1942, a separate badge was introduced for air gunners and flight engineers. That badge had the same qualifications. [3] [4]
Description
The badge came into existence in 1935. [1] It was to be worn on the lower section of the left breast side of the tunic, below the Iron Cross. [5] The badge was oval in shape and had a silver-plated outside wreath around the rim. The middle of the wreath had a national eagle "flying from left to right in a downwards direction"; clutched in its claws were two crossed arrow-head lightning bolts. [1] [4] The polished eagle was also silver-plated, but made of "oxidized old-silver" giving it a different shade of color than the polished wreath. The right side of the wreath was composed of laurel leaves and the left side of oak leaves. A Nazi swastika was at the bottom middle of the outside wreath. [1] The badge was originally made of aluminum. However, it was made only of a simple metal alloy during the latter stages of World War II. [6] There was a cloth version of the badge for Luftwaffe N.C.O.'s. The officer's cloth version was made of "silver bullion". [4] [6]
On 22 June 1942, a separate Air Gunner's and Flight Engineer's badge ( German: Fliegerschützenabzeichen für Bordschützen und Bordmechaniker) was introduced. [7] It was awarded after an air gunner, mechanic (flight engineer), or aircrew meteorologist completed the same criteria which was required for this badge. [3] [4]
Notes
- ^ a b c d e Angolia 1987, p. 183.
- ^ Previtera 2008, p. 237.
- ^ a b Angolia 1987, pp. 183, 188.
- ^ a b c d Ailsby 1987, p. 202.
- ^ Angolia 1987, pp. 183, 186.
- ^ a b Angolia 1987, p. 185.
- ^ Angolia 1987, p. 188.
References
- Ailsby, Christopher (1987). Combat Medals of the Third Reich. Harpercollins. ISBN 978-0850598223.
- Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.
- Previtera, Steven (2008). Combat Badges of the Third Reich (Volume 2 Luftwaffe). Winidore Publishing. ISBN 978-0967307046.