Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

Hi all, I am a little bit confused by different meaning in different sources so I would like to ask for help with abbreviations used for fuctions in Luftwaffe crews like F, B, BS, BM, BF.

TIA

Pavel

Re: Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

F = Flugzeugführer = pilot
B = Beobachter = observer
BS = Bordschütze = air gunner
BM = Bordmechaniker = flight engineer
BF = Bordfunker = wireless operator

Re: Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

many thanks for quick reply Nick

Pavel

Re: Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

Its possible also to meet FF for Flugzeugführer (pilot) and BB for Bordbeobachter (Observer)

means the same

In british documents

WT means BF (Bordfunker) = wireless transmission
AG means BS (Bordschütze) = air gunner

Re: Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

Yes Ff is also a commom abbrev. for flugzeugführer

Never seen BB as an abbrev. for beobachter but Bo (or BO) is commonly used.

Re: Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

And then there is:
BO: Beobachter (often lead Beobachter)
Bo: Hilfsbeobachter (Assistant Observer)
Hf: Horchfunker (Radio intercept operator)
Bw: Bordwart (Onboard mechanic)
A: Agent (Agent)
Sch: Schüler (Student)
TP: Techniker (Technician)
PM: Prüfmeister (Maintenance Inspector)
Kber: Kriegsberichterstatter (War correspondent)
Met: Meterologe (Meteorologist)

Ragards,

Norbert

Re: Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

Many thanks to all chaps for additional information.

Pavel

Re: Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

Hi

Have also seen Bombenschütze as the full term for Bs.

In this meaning I would guess the relevant english term would be Bombardier?

Regards,
Andreas B

Re: Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

In American it would be. In English, it was bomb-aimer. (If you're English, a Bombardier is a corporal in the Royal Artillery).

Re: Luftwaffe crew abbreviations
 

BMF Bordmessfunker, Operator for SN-2 in Ju 88 with four Crewmembers.