Strange award combinations on tunics

[jacquesf]

Something that has always interested me was the strange combinations of awards on tunics. Such as luft flak on heer tunic. PAB together with IAB etc. Please share pics of this phenomonen. J

[jacquesf]

luft

[jacquesf]

ss

[jacquesf]

different ss awards

[W Petz]

Jacquesf,

Nothing at all unusual or strange about these awards. There were transfers whether voluntary or not from one branch of the service to another as in two examples you provided Luftwaffe to Heer and Luftwaffe to SS. Therefore they wore those decorations awarded to them on the uniform of the branch of service they are currently serving with. SS were awarded the same awards as the Army. Soldiers/Airmen can qualify for several badges such as one example Infantry assault badge and Panzerjaeger/grenadier for PAB in Bronze or a Luftwaffe man wearing a IAB or GAB. I will have to dig through my archives/file boxes for some examples to post.

[kerryboo]

Probably not unusual, if RAD personnel acted as flak helpers, but interesting,
Kerry.

[jacquesf]

Bill, I am aware it happened, just interested in seeing that in practice. I am sure you have come acrss some interesting combinations. The rad pic is interesting with the rider and flak combo. Is this coastal arty? J

[jacquesf]

navy badge on luft tunic

[stonemint]

Jacques, great thread idea!
Always liked this series of pics of the tank-killing team led by Korvettenkapitän Peter-ErichCremer and Leutnant Paul Löser in April 1945:

[stonemint]

2 more of above:

[stonemint]

Tank badge worn by KM sailor:

[stonemint]

Here is what appears to be a Gempo NCO with an FJ badge:

[jacquesf]

Chris, those are some crazy combinations. The "minor " awards like hj, etc is really interesting. I cannot identify most of them? J

[peterm]

Hi!

Nice pics! Found one in my archive... Luftwaffe-Unteroffizier with IAB.

Kind regards, Peter

[byterock]

I beleive the regs said only on (for lack of a better word) Qualification Badge could be worn but I think two was largely tolerated as long as they where from different branches ie Heer/KM LW/Heer.

I know there where many service men during the war that qualified for 4 or more and think the record would be 6 and maybe even more,

I know of one person who started the war in submarines, then E-boats, LW Observer/pilot and ended with the Heer Flack badge.