Luftwaffe Luftwaffe Maritime Personnel Insignia.

[J Temple-West]

Luftwaffe Maritime Personnel (Seem?nnisches Personal).

During a little research into coastal air squadrons and air-sea rescue, in particular, I came across some information on the little known units that manned the air-traffic control ships and boats (Versorgungsschiffe) that were responsible for overall safety control within seaplane bases and for the sea rescue service.

From 1935 to1940 the members of these units were mostly civilian workers, changing to Luftwaffe personnel at the onset of war. As well as their duties with the air-sea rescue squadrons, these units were equipped with AA weapons and used in the North African campaign as anti-aircraft ships (Flakkampff?hren), covering the supply convoys bound for the ?Afrka Korps?.. During these convoy duties, these ships were often involved in gruelling combat with allied aircraft, suffering huge casualties.

It was due to these units that the ?Luftwaffe Sea Battle badge (Seekampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe) was instituted in November, 1944.

Here is the, rather striking, insigne of the ?Luftwaffe Marine?. It came in silver (NCO) or gold (officers). As can be seen, this example is the officers version.