[David Ransome]

Hi,

I believe that the order to wear these arm stripes in NCO braid on tunics and flightblouse was issued 11 April 1935 ( Luftwaffen Verordnungsblatt Nr 11 dated 22 april 1935) for wear by Oberfeldwebel/Oberwachtmeister 'in troop service'. The ranks of Hauptfeldwebel/Hauptwachtmeister were introduced later and the order was then extended to them too; in March/April 1939 another order was issued which allowed these two ranks to also wear the stripes on their greatcoat sleeves. I'm not an authority on this but checked some of my references which all stated more or less the same, main one being 'Uniforms & Insignia of the Luftwaffe Vol 1' by Brian L. Davis ISBN 1-85409-497-1.

I've heard of 'Der Spiess' in the Heer but I can't say that I've heard that use in the Luftwaffe - doesn't mean to say that it wasn't used however!

Regards

David