BACKGROUND: On May 17^TH 1942 the OKL, Oberkommando des Luftwaffe, (High Command of the Air Force), constituted static auxiliary, Heimatflakbatterien, (Home Anti-aircraft Artillery Battery), units that consisted of adult male civilians that were either over age or unfit for active military service or those exempt from military service due to an essential occupation. The majority of the personnel were volunteers although conscripted personnel were also employed as required. The male home flak auxiliary personnel were trained by Luftwaffe personnel and were utilized on a rotating, part-time, basis at a local anti-aircraft battery. Since service was only on a part-time basis, three full gun crews were trained to man each battery to ensure full time coverage. The male home flak auxiliary personnel were outfitted with basic uniform items when performing their flak duties. After successfully completing training the male home flak auxiliary personnel were designated as "Kanonier", (Gunner), and on March 8^TH 1943 a specific qualification lapel badge was introduced for wear on the left lapel of both the service tunic and civilian clothing by trained personnel. Of Note: Besides the adult male home flak auxiliary units the Luftwaffe also utilized additional auxiliary flak units that consisted of adult females, RAD, Reichsarbeitsdienst, (National Labor Service), personnel and both HJ, Hitler Jugend, (Hitler Youth {male}), and, BDM, Bund Deutscher Mädel, (League of German Girls).

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The male home flak auxiliary personnel’s qualification badge consists of a silver washed, die stamped, magnetic sheet metal, second pattern, (Circa 1936/1937-1945), Luftwaffe style eagle with out-stretched wings, clutching a multi-cogged gear, encompassing a static swastika, in its talons. The eagle has a roughly, 1 3/16" wingspan from tip to tip. The insignia retains about 85% of its silver wash with small spots of light surface spotting. The hollow reverse is a crude mirror image of the obverse and has a soldered, vertical, stickpin intact. The insignia has no visible manufacturer’s markings.

GRADE ***3/4                             PRICE $59.00