Original Items: Only One Lot of 2 Available. The Luftwaffe was the aerial-warfare branch of the German Wehrmacht before and during World War II. Germany’s military air arms during World War I, the Luftstreitkräfte of the Imperial Army and the Marine-Fliegerabteilung of the Imperial Navy, had been disbanded in May 1920 in accordance with the terms of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles which banned Germany from having any air force.
During the interwar period, German pilots were trained secretly in violation of the treaty at Lipetsk Air Base in the Soviet Union. With the rise of the NSDAP Party and the repudiation of the Versailles Treaty, the Luftwaffe’s existence was publicly acknowledged on 26 February 1935, just over two weeks before open defiance of the Versailles Treaty through German re-armament and conscription would be announced on 16 March. The Condor Legion, a Luftwaffe detachment sent to aid Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War, provided the force with a valuable testing ground for new tactics and aircraft. Partially as a result of this combat experience, the Luftwaffe had become one of the most sophisticated, technologically advanced, and battle-experienced air forces in the world when World War II broke out in 1939. By the summer of 1939, the Luftwaffe had twenty-eight Geschwader (wings). The Luftwaffe also operated Fallschirmjäger paratrooper units.
This Lot Consists Of:
– Luftwaffe Observer’s Patch: Introduced in 1936 and awarded to Observers, Navigators, and Bombardiers who met the required criteria, this insignia features the national eagle in light gray thread clutching a swas, surrounded by a light gray wreath on a gray wool background. The patch appears to not have been attached to a uniform.
– Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Parachutist Badge (Fallschirmschützenabzeichen der Luftwaffe): Oval, dark gray wool patch embroidered with a gold left facing, diving eagle clutching a swas in its talons superimposed on a silver wreath, which borders the patch; 60 x 47 mm; This type of patch was issued to German airmen who had successfully completed six jumps. The patch appears to not have been attached to a uniform.
These are both lovely examples of patches worn by the German Luftwaffe during WWII. Comes ready to display!