Decorated Pilot

[Phil_C]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me from the scans if the photo of this decorated pilot is original? as I got it from a bit of s dodgy dealer a few years back!!

Also can any one make out what it says on the back?

Thanks
Phil

[Phil_C]

Back

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Phil,

Terrible illegible, so it must be right!

I am just missing a little part:

DEM ZUVERLÄSSIGEN ST.......OFFIZIER
UND BEOBACHTER! 19.6.42

(SIGNATURE),
HPTM. U. STAFFELKPT.

----------------------------------------

TO THE RELIABLE ST......OFFICER
AND OBSERVER!

(SIGNATURE)

HAUPTMANN AND STAFFELKAPITÄN

PS. What´s the badge on the lower right?
Cheers, Frank

[Phil_C]

Thank you for the translation Frank,

Could ST be the begining of a name?

I have been told that the lower badge is the Rumanian pilots badge, here is a closer view.

Thanks again,
Phil

[François SAEZ]

sure not Rumanian

Probably Slovak - check the one from Mike
http://69.57.156.87/~admin1/forums/s...5&page=2&pp=15

[Mike H]

Badge

Phil,

Very nice photo!

The pilot's badge is Slovak.

Mike Heuer

[Phil_C]

Thanks François and Mike.

How rare is the Slovak pilots badge on period photos? were many awarded? Also what did the German pilots have to do to be awarded one?

Thanks
Phil

[Mike H]

Slovak Badge

Phil,

You do see these badges on photos of German pilot from time to time. I don't think it's rare but it is neat to see.

I don't have much information on how the Germans received these but I believe it was mostly an "honorary" bestowal --- allied countries recognizing their comrades-in-arms, that sort of thing.

Mike

[Frank Heukemes]

Dear Phil,

No, the ST.... cannot be the name, it is the first part of the OFFIZIER. In full this must be the title of a special officer, another example would be Waffenoffizier. Maybe the Luftwaffe guys can help here, which "job description" could start with a ST.... and end with OFFIZIER? It is not STAFFEL though, that much I can read. I suppose some letters after the ST...there is a CH.

Cheers, Frank