Pilot's Bagde

[Wulfryk]

What were the criteria of awarding the Pilot's Badge (and Observer's Badge)?

Here, on the Aerodrome I can find information, that pilots were awarded the Badge after gaining some experience in aerial combat. But what does it mean exactly?:)

Did the pilot have to took part in actual combat? Or was it sufficient to take part in some missions under combat circumstances (e.g. photo reconnaisance)? Or maybe some flying time was required (e.g. 10 hours)? What about pilots from other than Jasta units - in their case "aerial combat" would mean something else (rather defensive actions than "hunting").

The same questions apply to the Observer's Badge.

Thank you in advance for information.

Best regards,
Michal

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour Michal

The POUR le MÉRITE and Germany's First Aces by Angolia and Hackney is not a reliable source of data being essentially a transcription of sources published in Germany when under fascist domination, but, the following is information is offered and it is assumed to be accurate as no propaganda value could be attached to badge qualifications.

"A special badge was authorized by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 27 January 1913 to be awarded to officers, non-commission officers and privates who received their pilot's certificate and subsequent assignment to a military air station."

"Officers who were assigned duties as an observer from an aircraft, and who logged 1,000 kilometers of flight time as an observer were authorized the wear of a special qualification badge on their left lower breast upon earning the observer certificate."

Perhaps ...

Salut!
Kirk

[Wulfryk]

Bonsoir Kirk!

Thank very much for your reply. This sounds reasonable.

Merci beaucoup pour ta response;)

Regards,
Michal

[VtwinVince]

There were no standards for award of the Pilot or Observer badges once training had been completed. My uncle was assigned to combat flying in 1917, but according to his records did not receive his Pilot Badge until well into 1918.

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour!

hhmm, I would be surprised to learn that there were no official means of qualifying for the badges, but, would expect that the bureaucracy involved prevented the prompt delivery ...

Salut!
Kirk

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour encore Michal

By chance, while looking through issues of Cross & Cockade International Journal, I came across an article with the title BEINGUNGEN ZUR VERLEIHUNG DES FLUGZEUG-FUHRER UND BEOBACHTERABZEICHENS. The article, which appears in Volume 29, Number 1, is by Michael Schmeelke and reproduces the conditions for the award of both the Pilot's Badge and the Observer's Badge as of the 10th of March, 1916 and offers translation as well. Five conditions are listed for each of the two awards.

To paraphrase, the conditions are as follows -
Pilot's Badge
1. To have a working knowledge of engines and aircraft.
2. To have passed the Examination Conditions For Students
3. To have exercised in taking off and landing by night.
4. To have demonstrated competence in the handling and servicing of machine guns.
5. To have completed a number of flights over enemy territory to be determined by the Stabsofiziere der Flieger or the leader of an independent formation.
Observer's Badge
1. To have a working knowledge of engines, aircraft, machine guns and an understanding of navigation and the means of aerial photography and wireless communication.
2. Completion of flights totaling no less than 2000km with at least three different pilots and types of aircraft.
3. Practice at air fighting.
4. Execution of a number of flights over enemy territory, live bomb dropping over enemy territory and problem solving.
5. Participation in night flights.

So, it would seem that the requirements only increased as the the complexities of aerial warfare developed. It may well have taken some time to earn either badge by 1916. If, for some reason, you actually want to see the qualifications in detail I can forward a scan to you as a private message.

Salut!
Kirk

[Custermen]

who logged 1,000 kilometers of flight time

Now that would be an interesting prerequisite to have to calculate. Is it based upon the Time or the Distance?

Steve