A Look of Luftwaffe Heraldy World War II

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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09 April 2011 15:28
 

The Insignia of the German Air Force the Luftwaffe are and was to a great exstent heraldic. Here are a look from the World War II times:

First some Schools:

 

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/2146/flslw.jpg

Flight Instructor’s School. The Red Eagle of Brandenburg alludes the to Base of the School at Brandenburg-Briest. The Shield bears the initials of the German Name for the School FLS = Fluglehrschule (der Luftwaffe).

 

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/9528/ffsab2.jpg

Pilot Training School (FFS = Flugzeugführer-Schule) A/B 2 (from 1943 FFS A2). The shield problably alludes to the Arms of Franche-Comté found in the Arms of the French Town of Luxeuil-les-Bains site of the School from about 1941 to its disbandment in August 1944.

 

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/6719/bfssee.jpg

Blindflying School (Sea). The two yellow bends sinister are the markings used by the Luftwaffe on its Blindflying Aircrafts. They could also be Bends. The Shield thus tells us about the Schools role to train Blindflying above the Sea.

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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09 April 2011 15:38
 

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/9497/ilg1tw.jpg

I (Heavy Fighter) Group / Operational Training Wing 1 (I. (Schwere Jagd) Gruppe / Lehr Geschwader 1 or I.(SJ)/LG 1).

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/481/iileg1.jpg

II./LG 1. This is the Arms of the City of Schwerin (in Mecklenburg), Homebase of this Group.

 

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/5826/iiilg1.jpg

III./LG 1.

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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10 April 2011 06:47
 

The Pictures shown is from the Book Luftwaffen Embleme 1939-1945 by Barry Ketley and Mark Rolfe. Here are some more insignia:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6531/1seenotgr.jpg

1st Sea Rescue Group.

 

http://img863.imageshack.us/img863/5364/1seenotstf.jpg

1st Sea Rescue Squadron. The Yellow Figure is a so called Life Rune symbolising the Lifesaving role of the Squadron.

 

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5003/regierungsstf.jpg

The Goverment Squadron, VIP transport.

 
eploy
 
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eploy
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11 April 2011 01:08
 

Friends,

Being a heraldry and WWII buff, I really want to see the above images, but instead keep getting an image of frog frozen within an ice cube.  Is anyone else having the same problem?  How do I access the images?

 
kimon
 
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kimon
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11 April 2011 10:18
 

eploy;81998 wrote:

Friends,

Being a heraldry and WWII buff, I really want to see the above images, but instead keep getting an image of frog frozen within an ice cube.  Is anyone else having the same problem?  How do I access the images?


Have you tried accessing the forum with the forum as www.americanheraldry.org/forums ?

 

If that’s not it, then maybe your firewall/proxy is blocking imageshack

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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12 April 2011 13:30
 

eploy do you still have problem seeing the pictures?

Some more pictures this time from the site Lexikon der Wehrmacht http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/

:

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/Jg1-1.jpg

Fighter Wing 1 "Oesau" (Jagdgeschwader (JG) 1 "Oesau". JG 1 originated as JG 131 raised on 1 October 1937. At the outbreak av WW2 the Wing was based at Gutenfeld in East Prussia. Following the death in action of its commander Walter "Gulle" Oesau (127 aerial victories) on 11 May 1944 the Wing was named in his honour.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG2-1.jpg

JG 2 "Richthofen". This Wing had been raised as Flying Group Döberitz on 1 October 1934 and become JG 2 on 1 May 1939. On 14 May 1935 the Wing was named in honour of the WW1 Fighter Ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen the "Red Baron". At the start of WW2 the Wing was based at Döberitz near Berlin with a Night Fighter Squadron at Straussberg.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG3-1.jpg

JG 3 "Udet". Raised on 1 October 1936 as JG 232. At the strat of WW2 the Wing was based at Zerbst and Brandis. At the begining of 1942 the Wing was named in honour of Colonel General and Air Quartermaster General Ernst Udet (with 62 victories during WW1) who had commited suicide on 17 November 1941. The Authorities at the time said he died in an air crasch while testing a new weapon.

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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17 April 2011 07:58
 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG5-1.jpg

JG 5 called "Eismeer" (litterary Ice Sea which is the German name for the Arctic Ocean). The Wing was raised in 1942 and based at the Norwegian Coast of the Arctic Ocean.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG11-1.jpg

JG 11, raised 1 April 1943 by a Cadre from JG 1.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG26-1.JPG

JG 26 "Schlageter". Raised on 1 October 1937 as JG 234 which become JG 132 and on 1 May 1939 JG 26. On 11 December 1938 it was named Schlageter in honour of the Free Corps Figther Albert Leo Schlageter, executed for Sabotage by the French in 1923.

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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17 April 2011 08:08
 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG51-1.jpg

JG 51 "Mölders", raised in 1937 as JG 334 which become on 1 November 1938 JG 133 and later JG 52. It recived the honour name "Mölders" on 22 Novmebr 1941 just hours after the Wing Commander Colonel Werner Mölders had been killed in an Air Crash, while under way to attend the funeral of Ernst Udet. Colonel Mölders had at the time of his death 115 aerial victories.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG51-2.gif

Variation of the JG 51 emblem.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG52-1.JPG

JG 52, raised on 1 November 1938 as JG 433 becoming JG 52 on 1 May 1939. Based at Bonn-Hangelar at the outbreak of WW 2.

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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23 April 2011 17:45
 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG53-1.JPG

JG 53 called "Pik As" (Ace of Spades). Raised on 1 October 1937 as JG 334 becoming on 1 November 1938 JG 133 and on ! May 1939 JG 53. At the beginig of Waorld War 2 based at Wiesbaden-Erbenheim (HQ), Kirchberg (I. /JG 53) and Mannheim-Sandhofen (II./JG 53).

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG54-1.JPG

JG 54 called "Grünherz" (Green Heart). Raised in 1939-40.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG77-1.jpg

JG 77 called "Herz As" (Ace of Hearts). Raised 1 May 1939 from I./JG 331 and II./JG 333. At the outbreak of WW2 based at Juliusburg-Nord (I./JG 77) and Nordholz (II./JG 77).

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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23 April 2011 18:04
 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/KG1-2.JPG

KG 1 (KG = Kampfgeschwader = Combat Wing or Bombardment Wing) "Hindenburg". Raised on 1 October 1934 as Flying Group Tutow which on 1 October 1936 become KG 152 and on ! May 1939 KG 1. Recived the honourary name "Hindenburg" on 20 april 1936 in regonition of the WW 1 Hero and State President of Germany. At the Outbreak of WW 2 the Wing was based at Kolberg and Pinnow-Plathe. At first the Wing carried the Arms of its nmaesake but during the War changed to the Signature of Hindenburg. As seen below:

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/Kg1-1.JPG

 

As the War situation called for Fighters and not Bombers on 25 August 1944 the Wing HQ I. and III. Groups was transformed into the Fighter Wing JG 7, with the rest of KG 1 disbanding.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/JG7-1.jpg

The new JG 7 assumed this emblem. JG 7 become the World’s first operational Jet Fighter Wing flying Messerschmitt Me 262. Upon the death of Major Walter Nowotny on 8 November 1944 following a fight with USAAF Fighters, JG 7 was named "Nowotny" in his honour. The Major had as Commander of the Kommando Nowotny been instrumental in developing the Me 262 Tactics. At his death only 23 Years old Major Nowotny had 258 Aerial Victories (three of them while flying Me 262).

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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24 April 2011 07:55
 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/Kg2-1.jpg

KG 2 called "Holzhammer" (Wooden Hammer). Raised as KG 252 on ! November 1938 becoming KG 2 on 1 May 1939. At the beginning of WW2 it was based in East Prussia as follows: HQ Jesau, I. Group Gerdauen and II. Group Schippenbeil. KG 2 was disbanded on 18 September 1944 and its personnel was transfered to Figther Units.

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/Kg3-1.jpg

KG 3 called "Blitz" (Lightning). Raised on 1 October 1935 as Flying Groups Merseburg and Finsterwalde. Become on 1 October 1935 KG 153 and on 1 May 1939 KG 3. The Wing was disbanded in July 1944. The various Groups of the Wing hade the Lightning on a Shield in different colours. The White Lightning on Green Shiled showed here was for the Wing HQ, the I. Group had a Red Lightning on a White Shield. The II. Group had a White Lightning on a Red Shield and the III. Group a Red Lightning on a Yellow Shield.

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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10 May 2011 10:52
 

I am back from my temporary absence due to a Computer failure. Continue with the Bomber Wings:

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/KG4-1.jpg

KG 4 "General Wever". Raised 1 October 1935 as Air Group Gotha becoming KG 253 on 1 October 1936 and KG 4 on 1 May 1939. Recived the name General Wever on 6 June 1936 honouring the first Chief of Staff of the Luftwaffe General Walther Wever who died in an air crash three days earlier. The emblem should be the Arms of the General. Last peacetime bases of the Wing was Gotha, Erfurt and Nordhausen.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/KG6-1.jpg

KG 6, raised in 1942. On 13 November 1944 recived orders to proced to Prague where it should be retrained as a Figther Wing named KG (J) 6. This was eventualy not carried out and the personnel was instead ordered to Graz in Austria where it was intended to use them to form the 10th and 11th Parachute Divisions.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/KG26-1.JPG

KG 26 called Löwen Geschwader = Lion Wing. Raised on 1 May 1939 by renumbering the KG 257 which was raised 1 October 1937. Last peacetime bases was Gabbert (HQ, II./KG 26) and Lübeck-Blankensee (I./KG 26). After service in Poland, the West front, Norway, Battle of Britain, the Eastern Front and Sardinia it ended up in Norway at the close of WW 2. This insignia with the black lion and text on a Gold Shield was used by the II./KG 26. I./KG 26 carried the same but on a White Shield and III./KG 26 had a Red Shield.

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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16 May 2011 16:31
 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/IVKG27-1.jpg

KG 27 "Boelcke", raised 1 October 1934 as Air Group Fassberg, become on 1 October 1936 KG 154 and later KG 157. Received the KG 27 designation on 1 May 1939. On 3 April 1936 the Wing was awared the Honorary name Boelcke. In recognition of the "Father of the German Fighter Air Arm" Captain Oswald Boelcke killed in Action 28 October 1916 with 40 Aerial Victories to his credit. The Wings last peacetime bases was Hannover-Langenhagen (HQ, I./KG 27), Wunstorf (II./KG 27) and Delmenhorst (III./KG 27). On 13 Novemebr 1944 the Wing was ordered to transform into a Fighter Wing named KG (J) 27. During the following fighting it lost all Aircraft and on 4 april 1945 all personnel was transfered to 10th and 11th Parachute Divisions and the Wing ceased to exist.

The various Groups of the Boelcke Wing carried the Winged Sword emblem on different coloured Shields. Here shown is the blue one for the IV. (Ergänzungs = Replacement)./KG 27 raised Winter 1941/42. I./KG 27 had a white Shield, II./KG 27 a red one and III./KG 27 a yellow Shield.

 

http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/AbzeichenGeschwader/KG28-1.JPG

KG 28 raised 1 May 1939 by renumbering KG 254 (which had been raised 1 October 1936). By the Outbreak of World War 2 the Wing had only II./KG 28 in Gütersloh. A full Wing was raised during September 1939 but was disbanded during the Summer of 1940 with it units beeing dispersed to others like Divbomber Wing (StG = Stukageschwader) 3, KG 26 and KG 76. Briefly reformed during the Summer of 1941 but absorbed into KG 26.

 
Marcus K
 
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Marcus K
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16 May 2011 16:47
 

Interestingly the Winged Sword Emblem have in slightly different form been keept by the Jagdbombergeschwader (Fighter Bomber Wing) 31 "Boelcke" of the modern German Air Force. It flies Eurofighter from Nörvenich.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/JaBoG_31_Wappen.jpg/100px-JaBoG_31_Wappen.jpg

Emblem of JaBoG 31.

 

The JG 71 "Richthofen" flying F-4F Phantom II (beeing replaced by Eurofighter) from Wittmund also carries on the R emblem of JG 2 with the addition of the NATO Star.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/JG_71_Wappen.svg/130px-JG_71_Wappen.svg.png

Emblem of JG 71.

 

Pictures form Wikimedia.

 
James Dempster
 
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James Dempster
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17 May 2011 01:29
 

It’s interesting that the Boelcke emblem so much resembles the badge of 601 (County of London) Squadron RAuxAF. It was a reserve unit (1925-1957) that, pre-war tended to recruit from the well-to-do amateur aviation enthusiasts and was nicknamed "The Millionaires Squadron".

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5c/No_601_Squadron_RAF.png

 

It, is, of course, based on an element of the arms of the City of London with added wings.

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Coat_of_Arms_of_The_City_of_London.svg/500px-Coat_of_Arms_of_The_City_of_London.svg.png

 

James

 
Joseph McMillan
 
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Joseph McMillan
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17 May 2011 08:32
 

Compare the emblem of KG28 to the 1960s vintage emblem of the USAF’s 417th Tactical Fighter Squadron:

http://ranger95.com/airforce/fighter_squad/images/417th_tfs.gif