Flyer's commemorative badge

[Erich B.]

Hello all!
I purchased the WWI commemorative flyer's badge from Detlev on Friday to go with some other badges I've got, and wondered if someone could clarify for what these were given and when they were instituted. I have a ton of reference on the III. Reich but basically nothing on Imperial awards and decorations. Thanks in advance !
Erich

[Hannibal]

Dear Erich

Quote from the book military pilots and aircrew badges of the world "The Commemorative pilot badge was given to eligible pilots who were retired or disabled in combat that they could no longer fulfill their fly duties. This "retirement" badge was the first badge of it's type awarded by any nation for it's airmen."

hope this helps

best regards

[Rick Research]

Basically, the Imperial versions (Prussian, Bavarian, and Naval) were given for having been on flying duty for four years. That was quite an accomplishment at the time, given casualty and accident statistics.

There were pre-war flyers who would have qualified under the 4 years rule during the last couple of years of the war, but having NEVER seen any award documents or dated military paperwork showing these awards, it's hard to tell when they actually started being handed out.

[Erich B.]

badge

Thanks Hannibal and Rick--this forum is the absolute greatest! I appreciate your rapid assistance, and thanks for the info!
Erich

[Mike H]

Photos in Wear

Erich,

Glad you got that badge. I came close to buying it myself and am still looking for one out there.

I thought you would enjoy seeing a couple of photos of the badge in wear by World War II era Luftwaffe Generals. This photo is of General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf.

Mike Heuer

[Mike H]

And another ...

Here is one of General der Flieger Bernhard Kuehl.

Mike Heuer

[Erich B.]

commemorative badge

Thanks Mike--great photos! I appreciate it!
Erich

[Dez H]

Why are these two guys wearing Imperial commemorative flight badges but Third Reich Pilot/Observer badges? Wouldn’t they wear the Imperial pilots or observer’s flight badge? Would a pilot from the First World War be automatically eligible for the Third Reich pilot’s badge? Sorry to drift off this interesting topic but can’t anyone see where I am coming from?


Regards
Dez

[Mike H]

Interesting question ...

Dez,

This is an interesting question I have also often asked myself.

You have to doubt whether these high-ranking officers were currently qualified to wear the Third Reich pilot or observer badges. I imagine that some did maintain currency qualifications but I wonder if it didn't come under the category of RHIP (rank has its privileges) and like all Generals, they pretty much did want they wanted.

I would sure like to hear more on this one ...

Mike

[Dez H]

You have to doubt whether these high-ranking officers were currently qualified to wear the Third Reich pilot or observer badges. I imagine that some did maintain currency qualifications but I wonder if it didn't come under the category of RHIP (rank has its privileges) and like all Generals, they pretty much did want they wanted.

Hello Mike
Thank you for taking the time to reply, the flight badges were qualification badges and did this skill have to be annually maintained like the sports badges? For example if you didn’t maintain your level of sportsmanship you had to hand your sports badge back, as I understand. This is an interesting topic, hopefully others will jump in with some input.


Regards
Dez

[Rick Research]

Ah, rules, rules. It is my understanding that the flying badges were "qualify once, wear forever." the only exception I'm aware of was the Third Reich parachutist badge, which DID require annual requalifications to continue wearing.

BTW, the National Sports badges of 1913-45 were also "qualify once" badges. Only the SA type required annual requalification or loss of the badge. A 1922 National bronze winner could still be wearing it in 1944-- but the TYPE badge would give him away--if his hair color and waistline didn't!

I don't think any of these "over the hill" senior Luftwaffe types wore badges they had NOT qualified for--that was what that ridiculous Byzantine "Combined Pilot-Observer with Diamonds" was for. They passed their "drivers" licenses once, heaved a sigh of relief, and that was it!

[Erich B.]

Flyer's Commemorative Badge

Just wanted to post some photos of the badge--it's hollow construction, with a vent hole behind the crown. There are no markings at all on the badge, although it's possible that there were some that are now covered by the replacement hook solder. It appears to be of some alloy other than silver--it has a silver/yellow sheen like German silver.
There is a lattice design of small raised 'dots' in the upper part of the crown under the top arms of the crown.
Can anyone identify the maker based on the particulars?
Thanks!
Erich

[Erich B.]

reverse

Reverse.

[Erich B.]

reverse with vent

Ventilation hole.
Erich

[Mike H]

Prussian Badge ...`

Erich,

Nice photos of the badge. It looks better than it did on Detlev's website. I am hopeful some of the others can help identify a maker. I have one on the way now from a dealer and will post photos when it comes in. It is also without maker or silver content markings of any kind.

Regarding qualification and currency ... I suspect Rick is right. When I was in the USAF, whether you were "current" or not had no effect on wearing the pilot's wings. And you never failed to have those silver beauties pinned to your uniform. Most pilots put a lot more stock in their wings than in any ribbons and seldom were ribbons worn with the blue shirt. Only ground-pounders did that.

Interesting discussion.

Mike