Ranks and insignia of the Luftwaffe (1935–1945)

The ranks of the Luftwaffe were similar to other branches of the Wehrmacht.

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

References
  1. War Department (15 March 1945). "Chapter IX: Uniforms, Insignia, and Individual Equipment". War Department Technical Manual TM-E 30-451. Plate XI–XII.
  2. 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
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