Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a very nice collection of German WWII Luftwaffe Air Force Insignia, which was likely brought back from the European theater by a USGI after the war was concluded. Many soldiers traded these on the way back, and would end up with a pocket full of various different collectible items, and this set represents the typical "haul" one might have come back with. It includes a very nice variety of Luftwaffe fabric and metal insignia.

This lovely set includes:

- Luftwaffe Beobachterabzeichen Observer's Badge Embroidered Cloth Patch. Shows moth damage resulting in partial loss of the blue gray wool portions

- Luftwaffe Flak Artillery Entfernungsmesser Tätigkeitsabzeichen (range finder proficiency badge). This was one of several badges related to various specialists involved with the flak anti-aircraft artillery. It shows a large gothic E in the middle of the "Wing" insignia with oak leaves in the middle.

- Luftwaffe 2nd pattern NCO Flakartillerie Tätigkeitsabzeichen (Flak Artillery Personnel Trade Badge). The oval badge shows a 88mm flak gun barrel flanked by stylized wings, superimposed on an opened top, oak-leaf wreath with a canted swas (hook cross) to the bottom center, all in silvery/grey rayon threads. The Silver Braid around the edge indicates that it is for an NCO.

- Luftwaffe Flak Artillery Armorer Specialty Trade Badge. This shows crossed cannons on a blue gray background.

- Luftwaffe EM/NCO Stamped Zinc Alloy Visor Cap Winged Wreath and Cockade Insignia. The paint on the cockade shows wear, and there is loss of the original silvered finish.

- Luftwaffe BeVo Embroidered M35 Sports Shirt Insignia. Age toned and stained, but still has the complete fabric surround, so it does not look to have been installed on a shirt at any time.

- Civil Gliding Club Class "A" Segelflieger-Abzeichen (Glider Pilot Badge), bullion embroidered on a blue gray background. These were used by the various glider clubs in Germany, which were eventually consolidated as the DLV Air Sports Association.

A wonderful totally genuine grouping perfect for a Luftwaffe Insignia collector. Ready to research and display!

The Luftwaffe, the air force of the German military during the Third Reich, was established in 1935. Over the next 10 years, Luftwaffe troops wore a huge variety of uniforms. Enlisted men generally wore uniforms issued from military depots. Most enlisted soldiers had wool trousers and a short jacket with two internal lower pockets, called a Fliegerbluse, as well as a dressier 4-pocket tunic, the Tuchrock. Officers wore the same general uniform styles, but as officers had to supply their own uniforms, they usually wore tailor made versions. There were also myriad varieties of specialized uniforms worn by certain units or in specific situations, from the tuxedo-style “gala” formal wear uniform of the pre-war period, to the plain coveralls worn by crews of anti-aircraft cannons. There were work uniforms, tropical and summer uniforms, and camouflage clothing for airborne troops and other Luftwaffe soldiers in ground combat. Flight crews had their own specialized gear, including leather jackets and warm, electrically heated suits. Most but not all Luftwaffe uniform jackets bore the Luftwaffe emblem of a flying eagle holding a swas.