NSFK Radio Operator's Badge

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge

Instituted on - 1941

Rarity – Very Rare.
Known Makers – Unmarked.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Obverse.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Reverse.

The badge comprises of a light blue cloth inverted triangle with rounded corners, machine woven on blue-grey wool backing. The insignia measures approximately 53mm high and 85 mm wide, which has a darker blue edge line. At the centre is a woven pair of white wings on a blue-grey field, with a black Latin “B” encircled in a black ring. From the circle are four lightning flashes, one projecting at each diagonal. The wings, central circle and flashes are in white, while the outlines of the wings, together with its fletching, and flashes are black. The capital 'B' is for Bordfunker and the lightning flashes symbolise the wireless. 

The award was introduced in 1941, however the illustration which accompanied the introduction of this badge shows a Gothic B, but this may have been only the artist’s impression.

It was awarded to students following demonstrated proficiency in practical tests and written examination involving electronics and physics. Although radio training was conducted in the classroom, flying experience was obligatory before the badge was awarded. The student was required to have earned the International Glider proficiency badge in at least the B Level – two gulls. The badge was worn on the lower left arm of the service tunic and HJ uniform.

The student had a Proficiency Book, which contained his photograph and personal details. This book had the test undertaken and duly stamped. A certificate was also issued for the award.

HJ Students undergoing lectures and training for the NSFK Radio Operator's qualification.

The badge can be seen on the left arm of the HJ Student in the fore ground.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification certificate.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book - Inner page.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book - Page 1.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book -

 Page  2 - 3.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book -

 Page 4 - 5.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book -

Page 6 - 7.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book -

Page 10 - 11.

Wehr Helmut

The International Glider proficiency badge "A" can be seen on his lapel together with his HJ Proficiency miniature badge.

Civil Gliding Proficiency Badge. A, B, C Certificate.

These three awards are basically the same and can be found in three varieties.  A cloth badge measuring approximately 50 mm, produced in either silver-grey thread or silver bullion wire on a blue-grey Melton backing.  The badges consist of an embroidered circle that measures approximately 40 mm with one, two or three gulls to represent the grade of the award.  The third variety is a smaller metal badge with a raised outer edge line.  The relevant gull or gulls have a similar raised line and the resultant fields are in filled with blue and white opaque enamel.

A Certificate.

  30-second free flight with no manoeuvres required.

B Certificate.

  60-second free flight with 'S' turn manoeuvre.  This also    

  Qualified the recipient for the German Glider Permit.

C Certificate.

  It was necessary to make a 5-minute flight without losing height

  and pass an aural examination.  This qualified the recipient for

  the official Soaring Licence.

Achievement C Certificate.

This badge was referred to as the Leistungsprüfung C, as well as the Leistungsabzeichen.  This is assumed to have been awarded for long duration flights with a much higher standard aeronautical skills being required with flights in excess of five hours.  It has been stated that two types of badge were employed for the higher awards and these are the silver badge, which had three gulls enclosed in a silver wreath of oak leaves and the golden badge, which had three gulls in a gilt wreath.  It has also been reported that this grade has been encountered in an A Certificate, which has one gull surrounded by an oak leaf wreath and a B Certificate with two gulls surrounded by an oak leaf wreath.  These were all supposedly for long duration flights.  In January 1942 the silver badge was replaced by the NSFK Large Glider Pilots Badge.

These badges were instituted by the International Aeronautical Federation, F‚d‚ration A‚ronautique Internationale before the second world war and, it must be stressed, are still in use today.  They were for varying degrees of proficiency in gliding.  As the Versailles Treaty forbade a German air force, this left gliding as the only alternative of learning the art of civilian flying for commercial or private purposes.  Because of the cost of motor driven aircraft, Germans turned to the sport of gliding and soaring which proved to be an excellent cover for training future pilots of the clandestine Luftwaffe.  Fledgling pilots had to be tested and were judged under the rules of the International Aeronautical Federation.  Qualified pilots were authorised to wear the badges on their respective uniforms on the left breast pocket.  Germany and Italy are believed to be the only countries to allow such badges to be worn on their service uniforms. The metal badges were to be worn on the left lapel of civilian clothing.

International Glider proficiency badge A Level – one gulls. - Bullion - Obverse. 

International Glider proficiency badge B Level – two gulls. - Bullion - Obverse.

International Glider proficiency badge C Level – three gulls. - Bullion - Obverse.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika - Obverse.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika - Reverse.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika - Obverse Fake.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika - Reverse Fake.

Badge for 25 and 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz.

Badge for 25 and 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz.

Instituted on: 1933/34

Rarity – Very Rare, Very Rare.
Known Makers – Unmarked


Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz.

Instituted on: 1933/34

Rarity –Very Rare.
Known Makers – Unmarked

Badge for 25 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Obverse.

Badge for 25 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Reverse.

Although only a sub-division of Bavaria, Pfalz, The Palatinate, awarded, possibly around 1933 – 1934, a silver badge for 25 years’ service in the economy of the province. The award consisted of a 31mm circular silver badge, with an outer edge that is lightly grained, which is artificially patinated with a light grey smoked effect.  Round the badge is a 4mm boarder onto which is placed a legend in recessed black capital lettering, “25 Jahre im Dienste der Pfälzischen Wirtschaft” – 25 years in the service of the Paltinate economy.  On either side of the “25 Jahre”, which is at the top of the badge, is a swastika. The central field is dished with, at the centre a raised design consisting of three symbolic figures: a man with a hammer, symbolic of heavy industry, a female figure, symbolic of agriculture, and a second man with a Mercury staff, symbolic of commerce. Beneath the left foot of the central female figure is the raised monogram of the designer, a capital M surmounting a capital H. The badge was produced by C.Poellath.

The reverse is plain with a horizontal pin hinge and hook.

Badge for 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz.

Badge for 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz. - Obverse.

Badge for 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz. - Reverse.

The award consisted of a 31mm circular silver badge, with an outer edge that is lightly grained, which is artificially patinated with a light grey smoked effect.  Round the badge is a 4mm boarder which is gilded onto which is placed a legend in recessed black capital lettering, “40 Jahre im Dienste der Pfälzischen Wirtschaft” – 40 years in the service of the Paltinate economy.  On either side of the “40 Jahre”, which is at the top of the badge, is a swastika. The legend and swastikas are inlaid with black The central field is dished with, at the centre a raised design consisting of three symbolic figures: a man with a hammer, symbolic of heavy industry, a female figure, symbolic of agriculture, and a second man with a Mercury staff, symbolic of commerce. Beneath the left foot of the central female figure is the raised monogram of the designer, a capital M surmounting a capital H. The badge was produced by C.Poellath. Since majority of these were produced in zinc, the gold rings tend to flake off over time, making them look just like their 25 year counterparts.

The reverse is plain and silver in colour with a horizontal pin hinge and hook.

Miniatures of the 25 and 40 year Badges exist as well. These feature blank reverses. It is unclear if they were awarded with the plakettes or the round badges.

They were presented in a square box that had a light blue simulated leather covering. The recessed central board was covered in mouse grey velvet that had a recessed slot for the pin. The inner lid lining was of off white silk.

Badge for 25 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Case.

There is also a large circular table medal which takes the central design of the award, thus without the inscription. On the reverse in raised capital letters in 5 lines is the inscription, “Für Langjähre, Ge. Dienste. Der, Pfälzischen, Wirtschaft.” Centrally above and below the legend is a raised swastika. It is produced in a zinc type metal. It was contained in a similar box to the award. It can be found in a square box that had a black simulated leather covering. The recessed central board was covered in light beige velvet. The inner lid lining was of off cream silk.

A second type takes the form of the first. The obverse is identical. The reverse has the 5 line inscription. The upper raised swastika is replaced by finely engraved one with lightly pebbled fields, the lower one is removed and the award date is engraved in its place. It is produced in nickel silver. The case is square box that had a black simulated leather covering. The recessed central board was covered in dark blue. The inner lid lining was of royal blue silk.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Obverse.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Reverse.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Case - Blue.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Case - Black.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Dated 1938 - Obverse.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Dated 1938 - Reverse.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Dated 1938 - Obverse - Case.

Ailsby Books which are available in e-book form on Amazon Kindle Store as a Kindle Editions.

 

 

Ailsby Books which are available in e-book form on Amazon Kindle Store as a Kindle Editions.

 

LUFTWAFFE A Pictorial History of the German Air Force of WW II.

Hitler's Sky Warriors.

SS Hell on the Eastern Front.

 

An exciting new titles to be added:

 

 

 

Hitler's Satellite States. The Axis Powers and the Third Reich - a History as depicted through their Medals, Badges, Decorations and Emblems; including Fakes and Reproductions.

 

Description:

 

It will cover in Chapter 1 -Awards of The Third Reich, Chapter 2 - Award of Danzig, Chapter 3 - Award of the Sudetenland, Chapter 4 - Award of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, Chapter 5 - Spanish Awards, Chapter 6 - Award of Soviet Union, Chapter 7 - Award of Italy, Chapter 8 - Awards of Hungary, Chapter 9 - Awards of Free India movement, Chapter 10 - Award of Slovakia, Chapter 11 - Award of Flanders (Belgium), Chapter 12 - Award of Wallonie (Belgium), Chapter 13 - Award of Denmark, Chapter 14 - Award of Holland, Chapter 15 - Award of Norway.

 

It will be available in the near future. A book that I hope the collector will find interesting and useful in an area that has not been explored fully before. Pictures of the awards in wear together with lists of those who received them.

Fallschirmjäger, Hitler's Green Devils.

 

 

 

 

LUFTWAFFE A Pictorial History of the German Air Force of WW II.

Description:

 

The Luftwaffe played an integral part in Hitler’s Blitzkrieg strategy in the early years of the Second World War, and in later years fought a valiant but ultimately hopeless campaign to prevent Allied aircraft bombing German factories and cities, and wreaking havoc on German forces on the ground.

Luftwaffe is a stunning pictorial record of the Third Reich’s air arm from its establishment in the 1930’s to its war service between 1939 and 1945. With 400 black and white and coloured photographs together with drawing and paintings, the book tells the full, dramatic story of the German Air Force during the Second World War.

This book also includes a brief look at the birth of flight from its inception to its coming of age in the First World War. A glimpse of the Luftwaffe first blooding with rare images of German military aircraft and personnel perfecting the art of Blitzkrieg while fighting for the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War, just prior to the Second World War.

The biggest campaign of the Second World War was fought in Russia, and Luftwaffe devotes several chapters to the aerial battles on the Eastern Front, showing German aircrews and their aircraft taking part in Operation “Barbarossa” the invasion of Russia in June 1941, when the Luftwaffe destroyed most of the Red Air Force on the ground on the first day. But after the swaggering victories of the first summer in Russia came the reality of a long hard struggle in the East. Luftwaffe shows how the German Air Force tried to achieve the two aims of keeping the skies clear of enemy aircraft and supplying troops, such as those trapped around Stalingrad with food, fuel and ammunition.

Finally considering the fact “too little too late”, the desperate measures employed to halt the Allied waves of Arial bombardment. The advanced technology that if it had been perfected and implemented could have changed the outcome of the War.

 

Hitler's Sky Warriors.

Description.

During World War II the German Fallschirmjäger – paratroopers- carried out many successful and daring operations, such as the capture of the Belgian fortress of Eben Emael in 1940 and the invasion of Crete in 1941. Hitler’s Sky Warriors is a detailed example of all the battles and campaigns of the Third Reich’s airborne forces, illustrated throughout by many previously unpublished photographs.

Beginning with an examination of the origins of airborne forces in Germany and Europe during and after World War I, Hitler’s Sky Warriors goes on to look at how the concept of airborne assault was developed by the Nazis in the 1930’s, leading to the creation of the 7th Flieger Division. The first two years of World War II illustrated the effectiveness of the Fallschirmjäger, as German airborne forces won a string of victories in Norway, Belgium, Holland, mainland Greece and Crete. And though the invasion of Crete was to be the last large-scale German airborne operation of the war, the Fallschirmjäger would continue to see heavy fighting in the élite infantry role. From the scorching sands of North Africa to the frozen wastes of Russia, paratrooper units fought with courage and skill to win the respect of friend and foe alike. Hitler’s Sky Warriors includes detailed accounts of all the ground campaigns of the parachute divisions, especially in Italy, where their epic defence of Monte Cassino entered military legend.

As well as being a comprehensive account of Fallschirmjäger battles and campaigns, Hitler’s Sky Warriors includes information on the specialist weapons and equipment developed for Germany’s airborne forces. These include the paratrooper helmet, the FG 42 automatic rifle, the so-called “gravity knife”, the different jump smocks, parachutes and harnesses, transport aircraft, and gliders.

Hitler’s Sky Warriors also contains biographical details on all the main parachute commanders, such as Kurt Student, Bernhard Hermann Ramcke and Richard Heidrich, and includes appendices that contain information about divisional orders of battle and Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross winners. In this way Hitler’s Sky Warriors builds into an extensive and exciting account of one of the élite formations of military history. This is a book that fills an important niche in the World War II library.

 

SS Hell on the Eastern Front.

Description.

The Easter Front was the scene of the most decisive campaign of World War II. Hitler’s élite soldiers, the Waffen – SS, fought in the East from the beginning of the Russian campaign in 1941 to the fall of Berlin in May 1945, and the SS’s development and military professionalism is bound up with the war in the Soviet Union. As the war in Russia progressed, the formations of the Waffen – SS distinguished themselves in the most demanding theatre of World War II. and the premier Waffen – SS formations, the SS – Leibstandarte – Adolf Hitler, Das Reich, Totenkopf and Wiking Divisions, showed themselves to be masters of mechanised warfare and the all – arms battle. SS: Hell on the Eastern Front is a detailed account, enhanced by more than 100 exciting black and white photographs, of every aspect of the Waffen – SS’s war on the Eastern Front: its battles, its organisation, tactics and equipment.

Read what it was like to take part in Operation “Barbarossa”, THE OPENING ASSAULT AGAINST Russia in the summer of 1941, when the Waffen – SS fought its way to the very gates of Moscow; the first dreadful winter in Russia, during which temperatures dropped to 40 degrees below zero; the clash of massed armour at Kursk; and other epic encounters of the war in the East. However, this book is more than an account of the battles and campaigns of the Waffen – SS in the East: it also examines the recruitment and organisation of those foreign legions of the SS that fought on the Eastern Front.

Also covered in full is every aspect of the Waffen – SS’s war – away from the battlefield – against Soviet partisans. In addition, the book examines the military consequences of Waffen – SS soldiers being ideologically indoctrinated, their concept of hardness and disregard for life, which often resulted in atrocities and murder of civilians and prisoners. Above all, SS: Hell on The Eastern Front provides an insight into how Waffen – SS individuals and units met and often mastered their Red Army adversaries, first during the offensive campaigns of 1941 – 43, but most strikingly during the great defensive actions of the last two years of the war. With detailed appendices covering the order of battle of the Waffen – SS in the East, plus rank and award tables, SS: Hell On The Eastern Front is a most detailed study of the Waffen – SS’s war in Russia.

 

Sports Badge of Honour of the N.S.J.V.

Sports Badge of Honour of the N.S.J.V. - Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Instituted on: October 1942.

Known Makers –  Unmarked

Rarity – Rare, Very Rare, Extremely Rare.
 

Sports Badge of Honour of the N.S.J.V. - Gold Class - Obverse 

 

Sports Badge of Honour of the N.S.J.V. - Silver Class - Obverse

 

Sports Badge of Honour of the N.S.J.V. - Gold Class - Reverse

The award was reported in the issue of “De Jonge Nationaalsocialist” of October 1942 and described it as a “Tyr rune” in an oval with “N.S.J.V” at the top and the words “Lichamelijke” Physical on the left and “Opvoeding” Training on the right. It comprises of a red oval with gold lettering and gold outline the “Tyr rune” is in the colour of the class, Bronze, Silver or Gold.

Sports Badge of Honour of the N.S.J.V. in wear.

NSDAP Long Service Cross - 25 years.

NSDAP Long Service Cross - 25 years.

Instituted –
Rarity – Extremely Rare.
Known Makers – 19.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honour Badge of the DNSAP, Front-Line Soldiers Badge.

Honour Badge of the DNSAP, Front-Line Soldiers Badge.

Instituted on:

Known Makers - Unmarked
Rarity – Extremely Rare