REFERENCE BOOKS 

GERMAN REPRODUCTIOINS

LUFTWAFFE BADGES

Like their American counterparts, German aircrew badges were qualification badges granted for two months flying service or five operational flights in a capacity which did not require combat service. All pilots received the Pilot’s Badge upon completion of training, showing a black eagle on a silver wreath. The Observer's Badge was similar in appearance, but with a hovering eagle with curved wings; it was awarded to non-pilots for operational flights. The combined Pilot and Observer’s Badge was in effect a senior pilot’s badge, being of the same design as the pilot’s, but with a silver eagle on a gold wreath. The Parachutist’s Badge was awarded to parachute qualified personnel.

When the war started, the Luftwaffe began to award combat badges. The Flak Gunner’s Badge was awarded to anti-aircraft units, and until April 1942 was awarded to 88mm anti-tank artillery and other gun crews for ground action as well. The Luftwaffe Ground Assault, Close Combat Clasp and Panzer Assault badges were equivalent to their army counterparts, for awards to the elite Hermann Göring Division, paratroops, and other Luftwaffe ground combat formations.

Luftwaffe Fallschirmjager
Close Combat Badge Bronze
15 days of close combat
GRR574....$14.95

Luftwaffe Fallschirmjager
Close Combat Badge Silver
30 days of close combat
GRR483....$14.95

Luftwaffe Fallschirmjager
Close Combat Badge Gold
50 days of close combat
GRR575....$14.95

Luftwaffe
Close Combat Clasp Silver
30 days close combat
GRR152....$14.95

Luftwaffe Pilots Badge
Silver Bullion Embroidered
GRR343....$17.95

  The term "bullion" describes embroidery done with gold or silver wire. It is usually embellished with several different textures of wire to create different reflections. Because the work is done by hand it is quite expensive, but the rich visual effect of fine bullion embroidery has always been worth the extra cost.

General
Gold bullion cap eagle
GRR335......$14.95

Officer
 Silver bullion cap eagle
GRR333......$14.95

General
Gold bullion cap wreath
GRR336....$17.95

Officer
Silver bullion cap wreath
GRR334....$17.95

Officers Breast Eagle
Bevo
Silver on blue
GRR106....$2.95

ALL SHOULDER BOARDS ARE SOLD IN PAIRS.

   Our officer's and enlisted shoulder boards are converted East German types. The generals’ boards are made for us to World War II specifications (which is why they cost so much more).

MILITARY IDENTITY BOOKS

The Germans were famous for their meticulous record keeping, and nowhere was this better exemplified that in the soldbuch (pay book) that was carried by each member of the armed forces. It contained not only the necessary personal information — photograph, date and place of birth, parents, etc. — but also detailed records of the man’s promotions, payment, clothing issue, and weapons for which he was responsible. This was the soldier’s most important personal document, and  pity the poor landser who accidentally lost his! Needless to say, captured soldbuchs were a useful source of information for Allied intelligence.

These reproductions are taken from original documents, and are correct right down to the color of the cardboard covers and bindings. They are ideally suited to the requirements of the collector or re-enactor.

Luftwaffe Soldbuch
GRR307  ....$12.95           
 

Luftwaffe Soldbuch Cover
GRR453....$5.95