Paul R

Thanks Chris!! Now, any photos, uniforms, insignia, documents, information, or stories from these actual members will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Paul

Hi Snoopy! From what I see, I like! I would like even closer photos yet from these, I cannot find anything wrong. I would have to see many better photos or hold the tunic to be certain. The other personnel who used the Black waffenfarbe were: 1. Construction 2. Reich Air Ministry 3. LW members assigned to Luftschutz units (LS cyphers on the shoulder straps). Great stuff!!! You mentioned other LW tunics? Lets see them!

The Air Defense tunic should not only have Enlisted boards, but they should be piped in gray instead of lt blue. Nice tunics!

That is a great medal, Leigh... looks very "untampered" and pristine!

Your displays are second to none! The brocade is beautiful and appears to be unused!

Interesting... They do look more carmine than orange red... or do they? Paul

Shoulder Insignia: The shoulder cords were very irregular when compared to the regular Luftwaffe(please see below descriptions). By order, these boards were not to have specialty piping nor any underlay. This rule was frequently broken though. Lower Career Level Oberfeldwebel- Blueish Dark green with 1 aluminum embroidered slider for the cord. Hauptfeldwebel- Blueish Dark green with 2 aluminum embroidered sliders for the cord. Middle Career Level Oberfeldwebel- Braided dark green cord with 1mm center aluminum cord with 2 aluminum embroidered sliders for the cord. Leutnant- Aluminum Flat cord, bent to form a loop. Both ends meet at the base. The ends are sewn into the sleeve seam. No Sliders for the cord. Elevated Career Level Oberleutnant- Aluminum Flat cord, bent to form a loop. Both ends meet at the base. The ends are sewn into the sleeve seam. 1 Yellow slider for the cord. Hauptmann- Aluminum Flat cord, bent to form a loop. Both ends meet at the base. The ends are sewn into the sleeve seam. 2 Yellow sliders for the cord. High Grade Career Level Hauptmann- Aluminum Flat cord, bent to form a loop. Both ends meet at the base. The ends are sewn into the sleeve seam. 2 Yellow sliders for the cord. Major- Braided aluminum cord with 8-11 lateral bends and two bends at the base. No Sliders. Oberstleutnant- Braided aluminum cord with 8-11 lateral bends and two bends at the base. 1 yellow slider. Oberst- Braided aluminum cord with 8-11 lateral bends and two bends at the base. 2 yellow Sliders. Here is my Oberfeldwebel example from the tunic seen above. Notice the twisted cord with the silver center strip, indicative of an NCO in the Middle Career Level. Also see the NCO cord for a Lower Career Level Official, which is ranked for an Oberfeldwebel.

Now we will get into the insignia. Collar tabs: Per my references(Davis, Angolia, and Bender), there were two mentioned Waffenfarben: Administrative/Specialists- Dark Green Engineering Specialists- Pink The collar insignia are very similar to those used by the Luftwaffe proper. The difference being that the gulls denoting rank are omitted. The use of the wreath is the same as with the basic Luftwaffe tabs, for officers.(full and half wreath). The exact ranking of the official was specified by the type of shoulder cord and the number of sliders on the cord. As with the Administrative tabs(which we will get into in a future article), there were four career levels based upon education and experience. The level was noted by the type of piping around the collar tabs. Lower Career Level No piping(and no wreath... simply a plain dark green tab)- Feldwebel/Oberfeldwebel- Grade school education without further education/qualification was required. Medium Career Level Green/Silver Piping(was blue silver until Nov1940)- Oberfeldwebel/Oberleutnant- High School Diploma and an apprenticeship of a trade was required. Elevated Career Level Silver piping- - Leutnant-Oberstleutnant- Educational level between High School and College, with an addition two-three years of practical training required. Highest Grade Career Gold piping- University degree is required. As a side note, the Corps Engineering Officials started on 15Jan43, the Wartime Members of the Corps of Engineers wore the same uniforms as those used by the Corps of Engineers. The insignia differed as stated below: Tabs- Rose pink, as the Corps of Engineer tabs. Ranking consisted of the embroidered wreath only. No propellers or gulls were used. The exact ranking was noted on the shoulder cord. As you can see, there is a single present of a yellow Wartime Official tab. This is for a member of the Luftwaffe Fire Service member brought into the regular Luftwaffe with a soldier's status(job stayed the same, the status was more of a legality).

Now we will get into the uniform requirements... The prescribed uniform was the same as that of the regular Luftwaffe. The main difference being noticed in the collar tabs and shoulder cords. Of a special note, Wartime officials assigned to the Reich Air Ministry were required to wear civilian clothes while on the job. Here is a uniform from my personal collection. It is a tuchrock for a Feldwebel of the Medium Career Level. I will get into more detail on the insignia shortly.

Thanks for sharing these treasures!! I had no idea you had such a collection of TR cloth! Paul

I am loving it, Leigh. The medical boards are stunning. I especially like the Flak Uffz field promotion to Feldwebel Arty strap!

Thank you for the images! You are definitely an authority for KM CA! That is an interesting looking chest eagle.

I enjoyed seeing your displays a lot! Has there been available an EM medical colanni? I would love to see one someday!

Another great set of uniforms!! I have never before seen an Officer Candidate in the KM CA. Can you please post a close up of the shoulder straps? Paul

I would say that your collection of LW insignia is one to be proud of!!!! The LW TSD Oberstleutnant boards are stunning! Definitely some high grade Admin and HG insignia! Paul

Can you please post some closeups of the sword? I have never seen a scabbard with that shade of blue! Paul

The "collecting gods" were definitely smiling upon you!!!

That is a great set!! Thank you for sharing it with us. I do have a set for the Correctional Officer, as well. I have never attempted to repair a visor, nor would I recommend trying. The material appears to be torn to me. For me, I would not find this to be distracting.

Another Stellar grouping, ED!

I know what you mean!! With time, you will get used to it!!

That you do , but the flight cap looks better with a fliegerbluse!

Very clean example of the summer tunic!!!

I have never seen a bona fide set before!! Nice pick-up!

That is such an awesome tunic!!! Welcome to the GMIC!!! I look forward to seeing more of your awesome treasures here!!