LW FLAK Patch

[vonStubben]

Since I concentrate on Heer & W-SS, can you tell me when and why the cloth LW Flak patch was worn? Was it a qualification patch or a specialty patch and what does it mean when it has silver cord surrounding it?

Thanks,

Chuck

[Adam S.]

I have a feeling I know which patch you're asking about.

From The Collectors Guild:

On entering Luftwaffe, (Air-Force), service EM/NCO personnel were assigned and trained for a specific trade or military function. On successful completion of the appropriate training, personnel were issue a distinctive trade specialty badge to be worn on the lower left sleeve of the service tunic and the flight and field blouses as identifying insignia with a couple of exceptions. The original trade badges were introduced in May 1935 and were supplemented with additional badges prior to and early in the war. In all the Luftwaffe utilized no fewer then thirty-nine assorted trade specialty badges. Some select trade badges were piped with twisted, grey or silver/aluminum braiding to denote NCO’s ranks while some were piped with twisted, gilt braiding to denote outstanding performance in the particular trade. When a trade badge was allocated with the outstanding performance, gilt braid, piping it came accompanied with an award certificate. The first pattern Flakartillerie, (Anti-Aircraft Artillery), trade badge was originally introduced on October 28TH 1936 and consisted of a circular base with the likeness of a heavy artillery gun barrel, but that was replaced with a second pattern on July 23RD 1937. Requirement criteria for award of the badge indicated the personnel must have served at least nine months in a flak unit.

[Marc Garlasco]

There is a book on flak badges that covers these in a bit better detail...

[Adam S.]

There is a book on flak badges that covers these in a bit better detail...

Touché!

[vonStubben]

Touché!

Thanks guys!

Chuck