Luftwaffe Radio Operator & Air Gunner Badge by Wilhelm Deumer of Lüdenscheid

Maker: Wilhelm Deumer of Lüdenscheid
Height: 51.8 mm
Width: 41.1 mm
Wingspan: 42 mm
Eagle Thickness: 2.3 mm
Type: Luftwaffe
Material: Feinzink

The Radio Operator & Air Gunner’s Badge (Fliegerschützenabzeichen für Bordfunker) 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 operators, air gunners, and mechanics (flight engineers) who were members of the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) after they completed two months of 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 and was identical, except that the eagle is not clutching lightning bolts.

This example looks to be manufactured from mid-war zinc alloy. The obverse of the badge consists of a silvered half oak half laurel wreath with a mobile swastika (hook cross) at the base, with a blackened “in flight eagle” superimposed on the badge holding lightning bolts in its talons—the reverse plain, with a vertical pin, a barrel hinge, and a flat wire catch. The back of the eagle is marked with W. DEUMER / LÜDENSCHEID, for Wilhelm Deumer of Lüdenscheid, a famous maker of medals, belt buckles, buttons, and other accouterments.

Offered in very good condition, with a great aged and tarnished patina. The silvering on the wreath is almost completely gone, only retained on the pin hinge and catch. The blackened finish on the eagle is still fairly well-retained, giving it a great look.

Luftwaffen-Fliegerschützen-Bordfunker-und Bordmechanikerabzeichen