Paul R

A nice photo of Fl Stabsingenieur H?drich.

Thanks to Rick Research for the following strength numbers for this organization. According to Rudolf Absolon, "Rangliste der Generale der Deutschen Luftwaffe nach dem Stande vom 20. April 1945 mit einer Stellenbesetzung der Kommandobeh?rden der Luftwaffe vom 1. M?rz 1945, Diesntalterslisten der Sanit?tsoffiziere usw. im Generlasrang sowie Kurzbiographien ?ber den Reichsmarschall unde die Generalfeldmarsch?lle," Podzun-Palls Verlag, Friedberg, 1984: Strength of the Engineer Corps of the Luftwaffe as of 30 November 1944/As of 1 January 1945 == Generalingenieure: 18/0 Oberstingenieure: 100/1 Fl-Oberstabsingenieure: 375/13 Fl-Stabsingenieure: 980/907 Fl-Hauptingenieure: 697/738 Fl-Oberingenieure: 322/643 Fl-Ingenieure: 10/1,474 Total: 2,502/ 3,776 All the senior officers tossed out, and a huge number of Lieutenants created in one month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wartime members of the Corps of Engineers Tab 1(complete wreath): Fl. Stabsingenieur/Major - Tab 2(half wreath): Fl. Ingenieur/Leutnant - Fl. Hauptingenieur Hauptmann Rank was specified on the shoulder cords with the use of yellow sliders.

Luftwaffe Corps of Engineer Officers This is the only example I have seen for this organization. Despite it's ratty condition, it is a very nice and rare representative piece! I have heard a rumor that a Luftwaffe Corps of Engineer Officer Tunic traded hands at the SOS!

Luftwaffe Corps of Engineers Here are the rankings present in the photo, from lowest to highest. Fl. Ingenieur Leutnant FL.Oberingenieur Oberleutnant Fl. Hauptingenieur Hauptmann Fl. Stabsingenieur Major That last tab is for a "Corps of Engineer Officer". I will post a better photo breifly.

This thread will be dedicated to the study of one of the lesser known Luftwaffe suborganizations. This intent of this thread is to bring out participation. Any information including details and photos of uniforms, insignia, and the actual men themselves are greatly encouraged. I will start off by going over a few of the uniform regulations. Luftwaffe Corps of Engineers: By decree of the the Fuhrer and Reichs Chancellery on 20Apr1935, the "Corps of Engineers of the Luftwaffe" was created. It was further deemed on 18Oct1935 that the members of this newly formed corps were not soldiers but "members of the Luftwaffe" with a status very similar to that of Officials. This was an Officer only career field. Requirements for entry into the Corps of Engineers changed several times, yet the basic requirement was a University(equiv to a Masters Degree?) or College(Basic four year, Bach. Degree) degree in engineering. University graduates were brought in at the rank of Fl. Hauptingenieur and College degree qualified for the rank of Fl. Ingenieur. Members of the Corps of Engineers wore the basic Luftwaffe style uniform. Insignia comprised of: 1. Tabs- Rose Pink. Rank was denoted with the use of the wreath and blades of the propeller(instead of gulls like the Luftwaffe proper). 2. Boards- Standard style, with pink waffenfarbe. Reserve members are identified by a blue secondary piping on the tabs and shoulder boards. The role or purpose of this formation is not noted in my Angolia or Davis books. Did they design aircraft? Plan and construct Airbases? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Corps of Engineer Officers: An order dated 11May1940 created the "Corps of Engineer Officers" with the eventual disbanding of the "Corps of Engineers" in mind. The many delays in acting on this order, the Corps of Engineers was never disbanded and both the Corps of Engineers and the Corps of Engineer Officers co-existed for the duration of the war. The only difference in the two services was the collar tabs. Tabs: Rose Pink. Rank was denoted with the use of the wreath and gulls, like regular Luftwaffe Officers. Wartime Members of the Corps of Engineers: This was not a career area. They were civilian engineers brought into the service of the Luftwaffe for the duration of the war to fill billets. These men were given a ranking based upon their age, experience, and schooling. Once assigned a rank, they were non promotable. Starting 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: 1. 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. 2. Shoulder Cord- As with other Sonderfuhrer shoulder cords, these were to be unpiped(although this rule was frequently broken). The rank exact rank was noted on the shoulder cord by the use of yellow "sliders".

I love the set too!! Congrats on your find! These are not the most common tunics to find! Regards PAul

Hi! I cannot see the uniform photo? Paul

Beautiful collection of Polish medals!!

Don, Thank you for sharing these beautiful tunics! I love the transportation NCO! A seldom seen waffenfarbe!! Thanks again!

Here is the entire photo! I wish I could see the souk with my two eyes!!! Nice stuff! This photo is shrunk down to about 45% of it's normal size. If there is something you want a close look of, please let me know and I will post the sections in their original size! Regards Paul

You have some awesome cased groupings there! I really love that Early National People's Army Medal of Merit in bronze. Those early medals I find to be very well made!

I am sure that there are replacement parts available, although they might be reproduction. You could have your friend try to look up some of the Civil War re enactment groups. Maybe they could give him some contact information for vendors who sell authentic or reproduction arms, to get the needed parts to restore this weapon. Paul

It looks like it could be a .577 Enfield Rifle musket. Yours seems to be missing some of the parts(bands). http://www.hackman-adams.com/guns/enfield.htm 1853 Pattern 3-Band Enfield Musket

I cannot vouch on the authenticity of the grouping, but I am excited to see what the research discovers. Regards Paul

Thanks for showing your wonderful collections. What are the last two medals represented on the Ribbon bar? Regards Paul

I agree with Robin! That is one heck of an accomplishment!! Can you show us your badge? Paul

Very impressive. I have never seen such a set in a collection.

I found this great video with great footage of a May Day parade paired up with the National Anthem!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j1GsAIwO8E

What other ceremonial "gifts" would be bestowed upon the family? Title? Paul

Hi Gary I think that you will be able to find them before I am to the point of selling mine!! LOL Paul

Amazing Tabs Gary!!! Thanks for sharing them!

Thanks for the compliment Bob!!! I can hardly wait to see your wares!!!

Your collection is amazing!! I have never seen these articles before! Do you know how many members were in the DDR forestry service? There were only about 600 fallschirmjagers at any point in time, yet I own five and seen hundreds of them!

Thank you for the kind words, Naoki! I would love to find a Tuchrock for a Major or Oberst Jaeger as well!