by François Saez and Paul Williams
For a detailed article on this award written by by Andy Hopkins, visit the Pilot's Badge Page .
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Certificate #890 awarded to Gefreiten Frantz Eckerle in 1935. Eckerle, a member of JG54 went on to win the Knight's Cross in September 1941 He was killed on the 14th February 1942 near Woronovo, Russia, and was awarded the Oakleaves posthumously. This document bears the original signature of Generalleutnant Bodo von Witzendorff who was Section Chief (LP4) of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office of the RLM from 1st December 1933 to 31st July, 1937. Size: A4 |
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Certificate #2185 awarded to Unteroffizier Waldemar Habermann in 1936. This document is signed by Luftwaffe General Hans-Juergen Stumpff who was Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office of the RLM from 1933 to 1937. Size: A4 (Click on the image of the document for an expanded view)
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Certificate #31644 awarded to Unteroffizier Bruno Vogt in 1940. This document bears the signature of section chief Generalmajor Karl Barlen who signed on behalf of the Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office ("i.V." is "in Vertetung" = in deputation/signed for). Generalmajor Karl Barlen (1890-1956) became a General der
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Certificate #83217 awarded to Unteroffizier Ernst Ehrhardt in 1941. This document bears the facsimile signature of General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf who was Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office of the RLM from September 1939 to February 1943. Size: A5 (Click on the image of the document for an expanded view)
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Certificate #141005 awarded to Fahnenjuncker-Unteroffizier Karl-Otto Buhmann in 1943. This document bears the facsimile signature of Generaloberst Bruno Loerzer who was Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office from February 1943 to December 1944. Size: A5 (Click on the image of the document for an expanded view)
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Certificate #145279 awarded to Obergefreiten Rolf Langenstroer in November 1943. Compare this certificate with the example directly above. Note the increase in certificate numbers over a period of twenty-eight days. This suggests that 4,274 personnel gained an aircrew-related qualification in that time. This document also bears the facsimile signature of Generaloberst Bruno Loerzer. Size: A5 (Click on the image of the document for an expanded view)
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Un-numbered certificate awarded to an Oberleutnant in 1944. This document bears the signature of Generalmajor Rudolf Trautvetter, the commander of the 2nd Flying School Division from October 1943 to January 1945. Size: A5 (Click on the image of the document for an expanded view)
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Luftwaffe Soldbuch entry for the Pilot Badge dated 26th March 1940.
Oberfeldwebel Heinz Holzhey was a member of 2.(H) / AG 31. A veteran of the Spanish Civil War (receiving the Spanish Cross in Silver with Swords) he was awarded both the Honour Goblet and the German Cross in Gold.
A Wehrpass entry for the Pilot Badge
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| Luftwaffe Soldbuch entry for the Pilot Badge dated 12th February 1942. Note that the certificate number is also recorded - 97 802 / 42. Oberfeldwebel Hans Firlus was a member of 1. / Nachtschlachtgruppe 2. He received the Luftwaffe Honour Roll Clasp in January 1945. |
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| A page from the Soldbuch of Leutnant Hans-Joachim Bahr which shows he was given the Flugzeugfuhrerabzeichen as a kit issue rather than as an award! Leutnant Bahr Served from 24.10.1940 with various fighter units: III/Jagdgeschwader 2 "Richthofen", Ergänzungs Jagdgruppe 2, IV/ Jagdgeschwader 1, I and III/Jagdgeschwader 5 "Eismeer". He was killed on 13.7.1942 by Russian Flak whilst flying a Bf 109E-7 near the Njal Sea. He achieved 8 victories in 74 combat missions. Photo: private collection |
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