BACKGROUND: The Transport and Glider Squadron Operational Flying Clasp was introduced by Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring on November 19TH 1941, as the fourth clasp in a series of eight that were instituted at different points through-out the war to recognize the increasing number of operational flights achieved by specialized Luftwaffe personnel. All eight of the clasps were awarded in three grades of, Bronze for twenty operational flights, Silver for sixty operational flights, and Gold for one hundred ten operational flights. By mid-1942 many pilots and air crews were surpassing the number of Operational flights required for award of the clasps, so on June 26TH 1942, Reichsmarschall Göring introduced a star burst pendant device to recognize operational flights over one hundred and ten with a prescribed number of operational flights required for award depending on the type of clasp. In the case of the Transport and Glider Squadron Operational Flying Clasp five hundred operational flights were necessary for the award of the star burst pendant. pendant. Of Note: Due to the ever increasing operational flights achieved by Luftwaffe personnel Göring decided to replace the sun burst pendant on April 29TH 1944 with a new numbered pendant. The numbered pendants began at "200" and went up as high as "2000" in increments of one hundred.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, two piece, alloy construction clasp. The clasp is in the form of a central, circular, embossed, laurel leaf wreath, encompassing a separate, cut-out, stylized, eagle in flight clutching a canted swastika in its talons. The stylized eagle is secured to the clasp with a single rivet which is visible on the reverse. The clasp has three, overlapping, parallel rows of embossed oak-leaves extending horizontally outward from either side of the central wreath. The clasp shows nice detailing. Complete with original hinge, pin and catch assembly. Friedrich Linden production example.