Re: Gerhard Renz; KG 26
 

As a pre-war Observer Renz would have been trained as a pilot up to 'C' standard with around 150hrs flight time. In the photos he seems to be wearing the early Observer badge with a gold wreath and silver eagle.

Re: Gerhard Renz; KG 26
 

Actually it appears that in the photo of Renz, taken in late 1941 or later based on the spange award being worn that he is likely wearing a combined pilot/observer badge.

It was not overly uncommon to have observers later completing their pilot flight training and then being awarded the pilot/observer badge which design wise was identical to the pilots badge with the notable exception that the wreath was gold.

I have a number of document groups where this is the case that the Beobachterschein (observer license) was followed some time later with the individual receiving his flugzeugfuhrerschein (pilot license) at which point the combined badge was issued/awarded.

Cheers

Jeremy

Re: Gerhard Renz; KG 26/Otto Werner KG26
 

Sorry to intervene on this subject but I've been researching 'my man' of KG26 (Otto Werner). I have all his service career etc. but one piece of the jigsaw eludes me and that is a picture of Otto Werner. I've been searching for over 10 years now without success with the photo - even Reimer Voss and Werner Morath pilots of KG26 who have been in contact cannot help me Seeing just how successful this thread has been I just had to put my request in!

Re: Gerhard Renz; KG 26/Otto Werner KG26
 

Would it be possible for you to share some of his career information with us? We seem to be stuck around fall 1940 (please see my Post above). Thanks, Larry

Re: Gerhard Renz; KG 26
 

According to my information, Renz was actually retired from front service in July 1940 and served as an instructor for observer at Kampffliegerschule Tutow. In late 1942 he was trained as pilot himself; however he did not return to the front but became a flight instructor. He was with 3./K.G. 101 in 1944.

Greetings,
ghost

Re: Gerhard Renz; KG 26
 

Thanks, Ghost, that's very useful information and I will append it to our data block on him.

Larry