The Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe (german: Frontflugspange) was a

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

military decoration awarded to aircrew and certain other

Luftwaffe The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German ''Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabtei ...

personnel in recognition of the number of operational flights flown. It was instituted by ''

Reichsmarschall (german: Reichsmarschall des Großdeutschen Reiches; ) was a rank and the highest military office in the ''Wehrmacht'' specially created for Hermann Göring during World War II. It was senior to the rank of , which was previously the highes ...

Hermann Göring Hermann Wilhelm Göring (or Goering; ; 12 January 1893 – 15 October 1946) was a German politician, military leader and convicted war criminal. He was one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party, which ruled Germany from 1933 to 1 ...

on 30 January 1941. It was awarded in Bronze, Silver, and Gold with an upgrade to include diamonds possible. Pennants suspended from the clasp indicated the number of missions obtained in a given type of aircraft. Front Flying Clasps were issued for missions completed in the following Luftwaffe aircraft: *Day Fighters *Night Fighters *Long Range Night Fighters *Heavy Fighters *Air to Ground Support Fighters *Bombers *Reconnaissance *Transport and Glider The different clasps were inaugurated on: *30 January 1941 for the Front Flying Clasp *26 June 1942 for the Pennant to the Gold Front Flying Clasp *29 April 1944 for the Pennant with number of mission

Design

Frontflugspange der Luftwaffe version 57

All badges are formed of a central device (usually blackened) encircled by a wreath of laurel leaves set between two stylized wings of oak leaves with a swastika located at the base of the wreath. Clasps measure approximately by . The various designs of the central device was determined from the type of aircraft flown. The clasp pennant was instituted as additional recognition for the increased number of operational missions/flights, which grew as the war continued. As part of the post-war program of the German

Denazification Denazification (german: link=yes, Entnazifizierung) was an Allied initiative to rid German and Austrian society, culture, press, economy, judiciary, and politics of the Nazi ideology following the Second World War. It was carried out by remov ...

, in 1957 these clasps were made available for wear with their

Swastika The swastika (卐 or 卍) is an ancient religious and cultural symbol, predominantly in various Eurasian, as well as some African and American cultures, now also widely recognized for its appropriation by the Nazi Party and by neo-Nazis. It ...

emblems removed.

Criteria for qualification

* Bronze - 20 flown missions * Silver - 60 flown missions * Gold - 110 flown missions Pennant to the Gold Front Flying Clasp *Day Fighters and Transport Units: 500 missions *Air to Ground Support Fighters: 400 missions *Bombers, Air Sea Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance: 300 missions *Reconnaissance and Night Fighters: 250 missions

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Front Flying Clasp Of The Luftwaffe Awards established in 1941 Military awards and decorations of Nazi Germany 1941 establishments in Germany Luftwaffe Hermann Göring