Pilot/Observer Badge

The Pilot/Observer Badge (German: Flugzeugführer- und Beobachterabzeichen) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to Luftwaffe service personnel who had already been awarded the Pilot's Badge and Observer Badge.[1][2] It was instituted on 26 March 1936 by the Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe Hermann Göring. It was worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the service tunic, underneath the Iron Cross 1st Class if awarded. It was to replace the older 1933 Aircrew Badge.[1][3]

Pilot/Observer Badge
Flugzeugführer- und Beobachterabzeichen
Pilot/Observer Badge
TypeBadge
Awarded forpersonnel who had already been awarded the Pilot's Badge and Observer Badge and honorary recipients
Presented byNazi Germany
EligibilityMilitary personnel
Campaign(s)World War II
StatusObsolete
Established26 March 1936

The badge was originally manufactured in bronze, and later zinc. The badge can be distinguished from the Pilot's Badge by the gold wreath; the Pilot's Badge had a silver wreath. There was also a cloth version of the badge which used embroidered bullion for the officer's version and cotton for the NCO's version. The presentation case was dark blue, with a blue satin top liner and a blue velvet bottom liner on the inside.[1]

Badge in Gold with Diamonds
Denazified version

The exclusive variant of the Pilot/Observer Badge in Gold with Diamonds (German: Gemeinsame Flugzeugführer- und Beobachterabzeichen in Gold mit Brillanten). It was bestowed by Göring to honour exceptional achievement and on rare occasions as an honorary award. The first recipients were General Walther Wever, Chief of the Luftwaffe General Staff and General der Flieger Erhard Milch, State Secretary of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium on 11 November 1935.[4]

Another variant of this award was presented to Flug-Kapitänin Hanna Reitsch. This variation was "more like a brooch". A horizontal "shaft" extended from each side of the wreath, which also had diamonds inlaid.[5]

Luftwaffe

Honorary recipients

Foreign recipients

Prince Regent Paul of Yugoslavia 1939.

Notes
  1. Ailsby 2003, p. 60.
  2. Angolia 1987, p. 168.
  3. Angolia 1987, p. 161.
  4. Ailsby 2003, pp. 60, 61.
  5. Angolia 1987, p. 176.
  6. Angolia 1987, p. 172.
  7. F.L.Neher: WICK. Hanns Arens Verlag / Berlin - Herrlingen, 1943 P. 1 (in German)
  8. Ailsby 2003, p. 61.
  9. Angolia 1987, p. 173.

References
  • Ailsby, Christopher (2003) [1994]. A Collector's Guide To: World War 2 German Medals and Political Awards. Ian Allan Publishing, Inc. ISBN 9780711021464.
  • Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.
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