The Radio Operator & Air Gunner's Badge () is a commonly accepted title for the ''Luftwaffen-Fliegerschützen-Bordfunker-und Bordmechanikerabzeichen'' (Combined Air Gunner, Radio Operator and Flight Engineer Badge). It was a German military decoration awarded to

radio operator A radio operator (also, formerly, a wireless operator in British and Commonwealth English) is a person who is responsible for the operations of a radio system and the technicalities in broadcasting. The profession of radio operator has become l ...

s, air gunners, and mechanics (

flight engineer A flight engineer (FE), also sometimes called an air engineer, is a member of an aircraft's flight crew who is responsible for monitoring and operating its complex aircraft systems. In the early era of aviation, the position was sometimes referr ...

s) who were members of the German Air Force (

Luftwaffe The Luftwaffe () was the aerial warfare, aerial-warfare branch of the before and during World War II. German Empire, Germany's military air arms during World War I, the of the Imperial German Army, Imperial Army and the of the Imperial Ge ...

). This is given after they completed two months training or had taken part in at least five operational flights. If wounded during an operational flight, the badge could be awarded and worn earlier. Later in June 1942, a separate badge was introduced for air gunners and flight engineers. That badge had the same qualifications.

Description

The badge came into existence in 1935. It was to be worn on the lower section of the left breast side of the tunic, below the

Iron Cross The Iron Cross (, , abbreviated EK) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, the German Empire (1871–1918), and Nazi Germany (1933–1945). The design, a black cross pattée with a white or silver outline, was derived from the in ...

. The badge was oval in shape and had a silver-plated outside wreath around the rim. The middle of the wreath had a national eagle "flying from left to right in a downwards direction"; clutched in its claws were two crossed arrow-head lightning bolts. The polished eagle was also silver-plated, but made of "oxidized old-silver" giving it a different shade of color than the polished wreath. The right side of the wreath was composed of laurel leaves and the left side of oak leaves. A Nazi

swastika The swastika (卐 or 卍, ) is a symbol used in various Eurasian religions and cultures, as well as a few Indigenous peoples of Africa, African and Indigenous peoples of the Americas, American cultures. In the Western world, it is widely rec ...

was at the bottom middle of the outside wreath. The badge was originally made of aluminum. However, it was made only of a simple metal alloy during the latter stages of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. There was a cloth version of the badge for Luftwaffe N.C.O.'s. The officer's cloth version was made of "silver bullion". On 22 June 1942, a separate Air Gunner's and Flight Engineer's badge () was introduced. It was awarded after an air gunner, mechanic (flight engineer), or aircrew meteorologist completed the same criteria which was required for this badge.

Notes

References

* * * {{List of military decorations of the Third Reich , state=collapsed Military awards and decorations of Nazi Germany Awards established in 1935