Reinhard Heydrich Tinnie

[Arnim]

Heydrich wears a tinnie below his ribbon bar in one of the later photos. It looks like a rooster on a white shield. Can anyone identify this tinnie?

[Matthew]

Luft Nadel?

If it's the same pin we're talking about then I believe it was his Luftwaffe Ehrennadel rather than a tinnie. He is seen wearing it in few pics and if it is in fact that, he would've received it relatively early in his career.

cheers

Matt

[Matthew]

Here it is: Insignia of 6 Staffel of JG77 where he served.

cheers

Matt

[Arnim]

Thank you very much! I wonder if this pin is still available.

[Arnim]

Comparing the shield in the photos and the penguin picture, the picture looks a bit "modern." Are there any photos of an actual squadron pin for his unit? Is the "WC" on the actual pin? Surely it doesn't mean "water closet." The penguin on Heydrich's pin doesn't seem to have an umbrella either. It is my understanding that penguins don't normally need an umbrella.

Also - were there no regulations for wearing these pins? I see them on lapels and Heydrich wears it one way, then another, then not at all. Some of the LW chaps look very "unmilitary" to say the least. My mother's first husband (died in Russia) was an HE-111 radioman/gunner. His pilot always carried an umbrella. He was overweight and looked like an English country squire out for a stroll.

Thanks for you comments.

Gerst

[Matthew]

There were some variations of this design, apparently. This one shown below has no umbrella.
Yes, the WC is on the actual pin. It stands for Winston Churchill. The Penguin as pictured is 'watering' his initials so to speak.
You're right on the penguin's need for umbrella too. Could be just a coincidence I guess but all of those I have seen never carried one. On the other hand I'd imagine the odd one that wanted to experience flying could bring it instead of parachute. Takes up less room I hear.

cheers

Matt

[Arnim]

The penguin on Heydrich's pin carries no umbrella. Too bad it is black and white. I can't tell if the penguin's feet are red or yellow.