Place | Europe: Germany |
---|---|
Accession Number | REL/12017.001 |
Collection type | Heraldry |
Object type | Badge |
Physical description | Bronze |
Maker |
Unknown |
Place made | Germany |
Date made | c. 1941 |
Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Operational Flying Clasp - Bronze Class
Reconnaissance Operational Flying Clasp - Bronze Class. A round wreath of laurel leaves with a swastika at the base and on each side a sprig of oak leaves. In the centre is the head of a wide eyed, eagle head looking left. The reverse is plain except for the makers mark of 'SMB' on an ace of clubs symbol and a wide vertical brooch pin.
This badge was introduced on 30 January 1941 to reward the reconnaissance, air-sea rescue and meteorologists of the Luftwaffe. It had three classes - bronze for 20 missions, silver 60 missions and gold for 110. In addition a star pendant could be awarded for 300 air-sea rescue missions and 250 reconnaissance missions. These were replaced on 28 April 1944 with numbered pendants.
The badge was collected by William Alexander Trickett, who was born in Melbourne on 12 June, 1917. He joined the Air Cadets on 16 January, 1939 and transferred to the RAAF on 26 May, 1940. As part of the Empire Air Scheme Trickett trained as a Navigator at Parkes, NSW attached to 58 Squadron. He embarked for the United Kingdom on 21 February, 1941 and undertook 18 missions as a Pilot Officer and Flight Lieutenant with 35 and 76 Squadrons.
On the night of 27/28 April, 1942 the Halifax bomber in which he was the Navigator, was hit by Flak, damaging the controls of the aircraft and killing the rear gunner. Trickett bailed out with two other crew members (the Flight Engineer and Wireless Operator), over Dunkirk, was captured and became a prisoner of war. Between 1942 and 1945 Trickett was held at Stalag Luft III and Oflag IIIB. On 21 April 1945 Stalag Luft 111 was liberated by the Russian Army. The German guards left the camp to the inmates who had to fend for themselves. Trickett's duty at the end of April was to obtain the bread supply from the local town of Luckenwalde 30 miles South of Berlin, where he also obtained a selection of German combat badges at an abandoned shop. After his release he rejoined 76 Squadron. He was discharged on 15 January 1946.
- Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Operational Flying Clasp - Silver Class
- Luftwaffe Reconnaissance Operational Flying Clasp - Gold Class
- Reconnaissance / Air-Sea Rescue / Meteorological Gold Clasp, with 250 or 300 Operational Flight Pendant : Luftwaffe
- Luftwaffe Air to Ground Support Operational Flying Clasp - Bronze Class
- Luftwaffe Air to Ground Support Operational Flying Clasp - Silver Class
- Luftwaffe Air to Ground Support Operational Flying Clasp - Gold Class
- Luftwaffe Transport and Glider Operational Flying Clasp - Bronze Class
- Luftwaffe Transport and Glider Operational Flying Clasp - Silver Class
- Luftwaffe Transport and Glider Operational Flying Clasp - Gold Class
- Luftwaffe Transport and Glider Operational Flying Clasp - Gold Class with floral pendant (Anhanger)
- Luftwaffe Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp - Bronze Class
- Luftwaffe Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp - Gold Class
- Luftwaffe Short Range Day Fighter Gold Clasp with with 200 Operational Flight Pendant : Luftwaffe
- Luftwaffe Long Range Day Fighters Operational Flying Clasp - Gold Class with a floral pendant (Anhanger)
- Short Range Night Fighter Bronze Clasp for 20 Operational Flights : Luftwaffe
- Luftwaffe Short Range Night Fighters Operational Flying Clasp - Silver Class.
- Short Range Night Fighter Gold Clasp for 110 Operational Flights : Luftwaffe
- Luftwaffe Short Range Night Fighter Operational Flying Clasp - Gold Class with a floral pendant (Anhanger)
- Luftwaffe Day Fighter Operational Flying Clasp - Gold Class with a floral pendant (Anhanger)
- Luftwaffe Bomber Operational Flying Clasp - Bronze Class
- Luftwaffe Bomber Operational Flying Clasp - Silver Class
- Luftwaffe Bomber Operational Flying Clasp - Gold Class with a floral pendant (Anhanger)
- Luftwaffe Air Gunners and Flight Engineers Badge
- Pilot's badge : Luftwaffe
- Luftwaffe Glider Pilots Badge - First Type
- Luftwaffe Ground Combat Badge
- Luftwaffe parachutists qualification badge
- Cap badge : Luftwaffe Other Ranks eagle
- German Organisation for Air Travel lapel badge
- Luftwaffe driver's silver proficiency badge
- Luftwaffe Signallers badge
- Cap badge : Luftwaffe tropical forage cap roundel
- Tank Destruction Badge - Gold Class: German army
- Collar badge : German Panzer Troops