BACKGROUND: The Luftwaffe, (Air-Force), pattern national eagle was originally introduced for wear by Fliegerschaft, (Pilot Base), personnel of the DLV, Deutscher Luftsportsverband, (German Air Sports Association), the clandestine, civilian, forerunner of the Luftwaffe on August 18TH 1934 and was officially adopted for wear by all Luftwaffe personnel on March 1ST 1935. The original first pattern national eagle was utilized until a, slightly modified, second pattern national eagle was introduced in late 1936 or early 1937. Regulations dictated that the national eagle was to be worn on almost all headgear and on the right breast of almost all uniforms with a few minor exceptions. Prior to the war the RLM, Reichs Luftfahrt Ministerium, (National Aviation Ministry), had a sub-section originally designated Luftzeugamt, (Aviation Ordnance/Supply Office), that was responsible for all technical aspects and supply of the Luftwaffe. In June 1936 Hermann Göring appointed Ernst Udet as Director of the Technical Department of the National Aviation Ministry and in February 1939 Udet was elevated to the position of Generalluftzeugmeister und Amtschef des Lufttechnisches im RLM, (General Aviation Ordnance/Supply Master and Department Chief of Technical Aviation in the National Aviation Ministry). Although uniformed personnel serving with the Generalluftzeugamt were classed as civilians regulations of May 27TH 1941 introduced distinctive insignia including specific breast and cap insignia.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Stamped alloy construction breast insignia features a second pattern Luftwaffe style eagle, clutching a canted swastika in one talon, encompassed by a multi-toothed, cogged wheel. The eagle’s wings extended beyond the cogged wheel with a roughly, 67mm wingspan from wing tip to wing tip. The cog wheel is roughly, 45mm in diameter. The reverse has all of the original three attachment prongs intact and is well marked with the embossed script, "Ges. Gesch." (Protected by Law). Scarce.