Ranks and insignia of the ''Luftwaffe'' (1935–45)

The ranks of the Luftwaffe were similar to other branches of the Wehrmacht.

Rank insignia

rank	Insignia			Title	Approximate US [1] & Commonwealth equivalents during World War II
	Shoulder	Collar	Sleeve, (Flight suit)
General officer ranks
				Reichsmarschall	General of the Armies	No equivalent
OF-10[2]				Generalfeldmarschall	General of the Army	Marshal of the Air Force
OF-9				Generaloberst	General	Air Chief Marshal
OF-8				General of the branch General der Flieger General der Fallschirmtruppe General der Luftnachrichtentruppe General der Flakartillerie General der Luftwaffe	Lieutenant General	Air Marshal
OF-7				Generalleutnant	Major General	Air Vice-Marshal
OF-6				Generalmajor	Brigadier General	Air Commodore
Officer ranks
OF-5				Oberst	Colonel	Group Captain
OF-4				Oberstleutnant	Lieutenant Colonel	Wing Commander
OF-3				Major	Major	Squadron Leader
OF-2				Hauptmann	Captain	Flight Lieutenant
OF-1a				Oberleutnant	First Lieutenant	Flying Officer
OF-1				Leutnant	Second Lieutenant	Pilot Officer
Non-Commissioned Officer ranks
OR-8[3]				Stabsfeldwebel	Master Sergeant	Warrant Officer
OR-7				Oberfähnrich	Flight cadet	Acting pilot officer
				Oberfeldwebel	Technical Sergeant	Flight Sergeant
OR-6				Feldwebel	Staff Sergeant	Sergeant
OR-5				Fähnrich	Flight Cadet	Officer Cadet
				Unterfeldwebel	Sergeant	Corporal
OR-4				Fahnenjunker	Flight Cadet	Officer Cadet
				Unteroffizier	Corporal	Corporal
Enlisted ranks
OR-3				Stabsgefreiter from 1944	Private First Class	Senior Aircraftman
				Hauptgefreiter until 1944	Private First Class	Senior Aircraftman
				Obergefreiter	Private First Class	Leading Aircraftman
OR-2				Gefreiter	Private First Class	Aircraftman 1st Class
OR-1				Flieger	Private	Aircraftman 2nd Class

Luftwaffe war badges

Combined Pilots-Observation Badge	Pilot's Badge	Luftwaffe Paratrooper Badge
Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge	Tank Combat Badge of the Luftwaffe	Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe
Observer Badge

• Aircrew Badge
• Glider Pilot Badge
• Radio Operator Badge
• Air Gunner Badge

Luftwaffe flying clasps

Luftwaffe Flying Clasps

Luftwaffe Flying Clasps were awarded in Bronze, Silver, and Gold with upgrade possible to include diamonds. Pennants suspended from the clasp indicated the number of missions carried out in a given type of aircraft. 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

References

1. ↑ WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL TM-E 30-451, p. I-6/7
2. ↑ The abbreviation "OF" stands for de: "Offizier / en: officer / fr: officier / ru: офицер"
3. ↑ The abbreviation "OR" stands for "Other Ranks / fr: sous-officiers et militaires du rang / ru:другие ранги, кроме офицероф"

• Mitcham, Samuel W. (2008). The Rise of the Wehrmacht: The German Armed Forces and World War II, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0-275-99659-8. 
• Ruffner, Kevin Conley (1990). Luftwaffe Field Divisions 1941-45. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85532-100-7. 

See also main articles

• World War II German Army ranks and insignia
• Corps colour
• Corps colours of the Luftwaffe (1935–45)
• Luftwaffe personnel structure