Fliegertruppe: What's in a Name?

[CjBobrow]

Ponder this and please refrain from flaming...

In the German military lexicon, particularly in the pre-war and early World War I era, 'Fliegertruppe' broadly referred to the military's aviation units. While a direct translation is possible, it may not fully encompass the term's full historical scope, meaning, and significance. I am seeking to establish the most common and plausible term in use for this concept.

Flieger' translates to 'aviator' or 'flyer,' and 'Truppe' can mean 'troop' or 'force.' Therefore, 'Fliegertruppe' could be seen as 'Aviation Troop,' 'Aviator Troop,' or 'Flying Troop.'

Delving into this, it appears that translating it as 'Aviation Troop' might more comprehensively reflect its function, including not only flying but also the various support, training, and administrative aspects of a military aviation unit.

Yet, most references I’ve found tend to use 'Flying Troop.' I'm curious to know if you agree with this broader interpretation of 'Fliegertruppe.

[HoHun]

Hi,


Delving into this, it appears that translating it as 'Aviation Troop' might more comprehensively reflect its function, including not only flying but also the various support, training, and administrative aspects of a military aviation unit.

Yet, most references I’ve found tend to use 'Flying Troop.' I'm curious to know if you agree with this broader interpretation of 'Fliegertruppe.

I agree that "Aviation Troop" is a better translation than "Flying Troop".

(There might even a bit of a contemporary ambiguity in the term "Flieger", as early in German aviation, before the establishment of a common terminology for the discipline, "Flieger" also could refer to the aircraft itself, not only the person. So the very literal "Aviators' Troop" might not actually be more accurate in how it would have been understood by a contemporary German.)

I'm not quite sure if "troop" is a perfect translation of "Truppe" ... in German, it can be a very general term, hardly more specific than "military" ..., but I am not sure I fully comprehend the range of meanings of the English "troop", so it might be fine :-)

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)

[Bletchley]

In English usage troop can also refer specifically to cavalry or is otherwise horse related (e.g. in field artillery)

[VtwinVince]

I agree that an exact translation is difficult. Of course there were huge numbers of Fliegertruppe members who were not aircrew. That's why I like to use the term Luftstreitkraefte, which more accurately conforms to the term 'air force'.