Ranks and insignia of the Luftwaffe (1935–1945)
Rank insignia
Insignia | Title | Approximate equivalents during World War II | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Collar | Shoulder | Sleeve (Flight suit) |
US[1] | UK[2] | ||
General officer ranks | ||||||
N/A | Reichsmarschall | General of the Armies | N/A | |||
Generalfeldmarschall | General of the Air Force | Marshal of the Royal Air Force | ||||
Generaloberst | General | Air Chief Marshal | ||||
General der Waffengattung | Lieutenant General | Air Marshal | ||||
Generalleutnant | Major General | Air Vice-Marshal | ||||
Generalmajor | Brigadier General | Air Commodore | ||||
Officer ranks | ||||||
Oberst | Colonel | Group Captain | ||||
Oberstleutnant | Lieutenant Colonel | Wing Commander | ||||
Major | Major | Squadron Leader | ||||
Hauptmann | Captain | Flight Lieutenant | ||||
Oberleutnant | First Lieutenant | Flying Officer | ||||
Leutnant | Second Lieutenant | Pilot Officer | ||||
Non-Commissioned Officer ranks | ||||||
Stabsfeldwebel | Sergeant major | Warrant Officer | ||||
Fahnenjunker-Oberfeldwebel | Flight cadet | Acting pilot officer | ||||
Oberfeldwebel | Master Sergeant | N/A | ||||
Feldwebel | Technical Sergeant | Flight Sergeant | ||||
Fahnenjunker-Unterfeldwebel | Flight Cadet | Officer Cadet | ||||
Unterfeldwebel | Staff Sergeant | Sergeant | ||||
Fahnenjunker-Unteroffizier | Flight Cadet | Officer Cadet | ||||
Unteroffizier | Sergeant | Corporal | ||||
Enlisted ranks | ||||||
Stabsgefreiter | Senior Corporal | Leading Aircraftman | ||||
Hauptgefreiter (used until 1944) |
Senior Corporal | Leading Aircraftman | ||||
Obergefreiter | Corporal | Leading Aircraftman | ||||
Gefreiter | Acting Corporal | Leading Aircraftman | ||||
N/A | Flieger | Private | Aircraftman 2nd Class |
Luftwaffe war badges
Pilot's Badge | Observer Badge | Combined Pilots-Observation Badge |
---|---|---|
Tank Combat Badge of the Luftwaffe | Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe | Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge |
Glider Pilot Badge | Radio Operator Badge and Air Gunner Badge | Sea Battle Badge |
Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge | Aircrew Badge | Flyer's Commemorative Badge |
Luftwaffe flying clasps
Luftwaffe Flying Clasps were awarded in Bronze, Silver, and Gold with upgrade possible to include diamonds. Pennants suspended from the clasp indicated the number of missions carried out in a given type of aircraft. Flying Clasps were issued for missions completed in the following Luftwaffe aircraft:
Luftwaffe Flying Clasps | |||
---|---|---|---|
Bombers | Transport and Glider | Day Fighters | Night Fighters |
Air to Ground Support Fighters | Long-Range Night Fighters | Heavy Fighters | Reconnaissance |
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References
- War Department (15 March 1945). "Chapter IX: Uniforms, Insignia, and Individual Equipment". War Department Technical Manual TM-E 30-451. Plate XI–XII.
- CIA (24 August 1999). "Records Integration Title Book" (PDF). p. 18. Retrieved 11 December 2018.
- Mitcham, Samuel W. (2008). The Rise of the Wehrmacht: The German Armed Forces and World War II, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-275-99659-8.
- Ruffner, Kevin Conley (1990). Luftwaffe Field Divisions 1941-45. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-100-7.
See also
- World War II German Army ranks and insignia
- Corps colours of the Luftwaffe (1935–45)
- Luftwaffe personnel structure
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