BACKGROUND: The OKL, Oberkommando der Luftwaffe, (High Command of the Air-Force), and the OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), both realized the importance of propaganda and as early as 1938 they both actively began recruiting artists, photographers and journalists who were assigned to Propaganda Companies which accompanied all three branches of service in the field. In his position as the Reichsminister, für Volkserklärung und Propaganda, (National Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda), Dr. Paul Josef Goebbels assisted the Armed Forces by compiling a list of suitable artists, photographers and journalist and provided an eight week war correspondents training program for them. The artwork, photographs and reports from the Propaganda Companies were utilized to maintain morale, assist in recruitment and record the exploits of the German Armed Forces in the field. Much of the Propaganda Companies work would appear in assorted books, newspapers and magazines and the artwork and photographs of the Propaganda Companies were also used in recruitment posters and postcards. The Kriegsberichter der Luftwaffe, (War Correspondent of the Air Force), cufftitle was introduced on November 20TH 1940 for wear as identifying insignia by personnel serving as war correspondents in propaganda units of the Luftwaffe. Although officially introduced on November 20TH 1940 allegedly the cufftitle didn’t become available for issue until January 1941. War Correspondent Officer’s cufftitles were distinguished from EM/NCO’s by the script being hand applied in silver/aluminum wire threads and the addition of braiding to the top and bottom edges of the cufftitle.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 32mm tall, 42cm long navy blue wool construction cufftitle with hand embroidered Gothic script, "Kriegsberichter der Luftwaffe", in silver/celleon threads. The cufftitle is border at both top and bottom edges in silver/grey Russian braid. Photographed in German Military Cuffbands 1784 to Present (Williamson/McGuirl). Ex Petersen Collection.