J Temple-West

Standard EM 'RAD' Hewer.

This example is the shortened (by the Germans) version issued to German units.

On entering and occupying Holland, the Germans took over all armourment factories/arsenals and utilised all the equipment that was found.

Here are two examples of Dutch close combat knives that found their way into service with both Dutch Waffen 'SS' and German units.

The first is the unaltered version issued to a member of Regiment 'Westland'.

Mini Army....

Hi Nick,

The engraved example was the rank brooch for the 'Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst' (German Woman's Labour Service) and was worn until 1937.

It came in three ranks:

Bronze: Arbeitsmaid.

Silver: Maidenf?hrerin

Gold Lagerf?hrerin

The S?tterlin script reads "Arbeit f?r dein Volk. Adelt dich Selbst. Deutscher Frauenarbeitsdienst" (Work for your people. Ennoble yourself. German Woman's Labour Service)

This organization then became the RADjW and instituted its own rank brooch.

The other one is the 1939 pattern.

As you say...A very nice example... Pity you sold it.

Here's a quick shot of the one I have in silver..

Ok, we have a Minesweeper, Zinc...Marked with the AS in a triangle.

I know there's always been much debate as to the maker, A.D Schwerdt or Adolf Scholze.. So, which is it?

Pilot's Badge by B&NL.

I'll add a few more when I get time for the photography..

A later example of a pilot's badge, in Zinc, by the "Unknown maker"...

An early example of a Pilot's badge, in Tombak, by the "Unknown maker"...

Hi Dave,

This is a question I've pondered over, too...

The Luftwaffe para badge was instituted in '36. All early examples were made with either high grade nickel silver or plated Tombak wreaths. At the onset of hostilities, the design and materials changed due to the increased demand from the Luftwaffe and the lack of these high grade materials. In, or around, 1942 the badge underwent its final design change and the chemically blackened wreath came into existence. Now, whether this 'black wreathed' type was made to cut down the glare that the silver wreath would have given off, during battle, or was just a matter of being a design change that took off...?

I had the opportunity to ask an old fallschirmjager vet this very question and he answered thus.... "The black wreath was for us to remember our Comrades who fell in Crete" I'm not sure how much truth there is in this, if any, but it's as good as any of the other bits of speculation...

I?m sure there will be someone that has the correct answer..

Reverse..

Pilots badge...Independent State of Croatia (NDH)

Reverse..

Italian Pilot's Badge..

Reverse..

Bulgarian Pilot's Badge..

DKiG winner..

Reverse.

There is another field of interest to the Luftwaffe badge collector, this being the qualification badges issued to members of the German Luftwaffe who served with the other Axis Powers.

Not only did these Luftwaffe flight crews wear the normal German qualification badges, but those who flew with any of the other Axis forces were also entitled to wear the corresponding badge issued by that particular Country..

Axis Countries.

Germany.

Italy.

Japan.

Hungary.

Rumania

Bulgaria.

Independent State of Croatia (NDH)

As with most Axis medals, awards and badges, both German and locally manufactured examples will be encountered.

First up, the Bulgarian Observers badge.

Made by the specialist German manufacturer ?Friedrich Sedlatzek? and personalized with the initials ?TK?.. The same badge can be seen, being worn, by a DKiG winner, in the photograph, below..

Hi Fran?ois,

For those of you who don't know my dear friend, Fran?ois.. An advanced Luftwaffe collector with a vast amount of knowledge and experience.

These very rare screwback examples are only a small part of his wonderful collection..

I'm hoping that he will allow us to see a few more Items... I can assure you that we will be in for a treat.

Hi Subway,

Probably of no use, but it's the only example I could come up with.

G.H Osang..

Paul Meybauer..

O.M..

B&NL..(Berg & Nolte L?denscheid)