Germans to Axis allieds

[Fabio]

Hello everybody.
A simple (for you!) question:
Do you think that it was possilble for pilots members of other Axis nations to receive and wear LW badges like the Pilot Badge and the Fighter Clasp?
Viceversa I have seen some pictures of LW pilots wearing other Air Forces badges (Italian, Croatian, Romanian ...)
I would like your technical opinions, thank you
Fabio

[Jonathan M]

theres a few pictures of LW personnel wearing the Bulgarin Pilots Badge

[Alex K]

I believe there was a Rumanian general with the P/O with diamonds.
Can't remember his name at the moment, sorry..

Regards, Alex

[George L]

Fabio, yes it was possible. I have seen Croat air men for sure wearing both the German and Croat pilots badges in photos.

[LeeM]

Ciao Fabio,
<O</O
Croatian pilots - As George said, wore both the German and Croatian pilot badges and also the German flight clasps.
<O</O
Romanian Pilots - Definitely wore German flight clasps, but all the photos I know of have the Romanian pilot badge worn alone (without German pilot badge).
<O</O
Bulgarian Pilots – Most often just the Bulgarian pilot badge, although both German and Bulgarian pilot badges were worn by some pilots. I am not sure of the reason for this but would guess that the German pilot badge may have been given upon completion of training in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region>Germany</st1:country-region>. Anyone Know? I don’t have a reference book that shows German flight clasps being worn by Bulgarian Pilots.
<O</O
Slovakian Pilots – I have only seen the Slovakian pilot badge being worn, but they did wear German flight clasps.
<O</O
Spanish Pilots – The Spanish pilots who served on the eastern front wore both the German pilot badge and Spanish pilot badge and some wore just the German pilot badge. I think it a safe assumption that they also wore the German flight clasps.
<O</O
There are others much more knowledgeable on the subject than I am. Hopefully they can give more definitive answers or additional information.
<O</O
Regards,
<O</O
Lee

[Alex Stefanut]

Hi guys,

Here is a photo showing both pilot badges (Romanian and German), worn together.

Cheers,

Al

[Raffaello Carola]

Hi guys,

Here is a photo showing both pilot badges (Romanian and German), worn together.

Cheers,

Al

very interesting nice photo, also is clearly visible the italian pilot badge
cheers, Raffaello

[Alex Stefanut]

Some more Romanians with double pilot badges.

[Alex Stefanut]

[Alex Stefanut]

Detail:

[LeeM]

Thanks for posting the photos Alex. Shows again that both the German and Romanian pilot badges were sometimes worn together. The guy on the far right seems to be wearing a Hungarian badge?
<O</O
Alex, I do have another question I am hoping you can answer. I have noticed in most photos, that the Romanian pilot and observer badges were generally worn high on the chest above the right breast pocket. I have read somewhere that this is regulation. I also have seen many photos with these badges worn on either the right or left pocket and also above the left pocket. Did the regulation say that it was to be worn above the right pocket? If so, did the regulation change or did the individual aviators just place them where they preferred?
<O</O
Thanks,
<O</O
Lee

[Alex Stefanut]

Thanks for posting the photos Alex. Shows again that both the German and Romanian pilot badges were sometimes worn together. The guy on the far right seems to be wearing a Hungarian badge?
<O</O
Alex, I do have another question I am hoping you can answer. I have noticed in most photos, that the Romanian pilot and observer badges were generally worn high on the chest above the right breast pocket. I have read somewhere that this is regulation. I also have seen many photos with these badges worn on either the right or left pocket and also above the left pocket. Did the regulation say that it was to be worn above the right pocket? If so, did the regulation change or did the individual aviators just place them where they preferred?
<O</O
Thanks,
<O</O
Lee

Lee,

Thanks for the feedback. I will get back to you as soon as possible with more info, some additional scans, and with updated info on Romanian regulations, as required.

Cheers,

Al

[Alex Stefanut]

Here is the portrait of a Romanian Stuka Pilot/Gunner.

And tomorrow - I will post a photo of a Romanian pilot wearing the German Pilot badge in cloth, in a studio portrait.

Cheers,

Al

[Alex Stefanut]

Gents,

As promised... FYI

Al