Flieger-Technischen-Vorschulen Query

[Bob Lyons]

Hi all,

I had a request from my friend Hugh Page-Taylor, regarding the Flieger Technischen Vorschulen, and I am not too familiar with the break up of them, so I said to Hugh that I would post this here on his behalf, hopefully some one can assist.

Thanks

Bob

Do you have a list of the Flieger-Technischen-Vorschulen, I wonder?

I have always liked their sleeve badges and cuffbands , but I’d like to compile a complete list and have as many illustrations of these badges as possible.

I see there have been at least 2 books on the subject, 1940 and 1990, but I have neither. One is called

Die Jüngsten der Luftwaffe ein Buch von den Flieger-Technischen Vorschulen

Any help would be appreciated.

Hugh

[Larry deZeng]

Identifying all of them is probably a bridge too far...............

Luftwaffen-Fachschule
(Luftwaffe Technical School)
Prior to the war, there were many of these throughout the Reich (Schönau near Grünau, Wien, Braunschweig, Ludwigsburg, Berlin, Dortmund, etc.). Their purpose is uncertain, but they may have provided technical instruction to 15-17-year-olds with the understanding they would eventually enlist in the Luftwaffe and become mechanics of one sort or another. Only one has been identified after the war began, and it was located at Magdeburg-Ost airfield in November 1942. It may be that these were consolidated and renamed Fliegertechnische Vorschulen after the beginning of the war.
[Sources: NARA WashDC: RG 242 (T-321 roll 30).]

L.

[Bob Lyons]

Thanks Larry, I will pass this on to Hugh, I am sure he will want to visit this site and say thanks too.

Best wishes

Bob

[Bob Lyons]

Hugh asked me to post up this photo on his behalf...


Bob

[Larry deZeng]

Thanks, Bob.

I was just thinking that I do not recall ever seeing a Soldbuch or Wehrpaß entry for a Fliegertechnische-Vorschule. That definitely indicates that they were pre-military service and probably an excellent way for families to get their sons housed and trained at state expense. That technical training would keep them from being conscripted into the Heer and sent to the infantry because they would go right into the Luftwaffe on completion of the Vorschule.

L.

[Charles Bavarois]

Hello gentlemen,

there is a beautiful book published on our topic: “Militärschüler der Flieger-Technischen Vorschule Bremen-Oslebshausen”. Author is F.-Herbert Wenz. It’s mainly on Weser Flugzeugwerke at Lemwerder and gives some insight into many aspects of aircraft-manufacturing in Germany.

Fliegertechnische Vorschulen were not part of the German military organisation, but they nevertheless served military interest.
The purpose of the Vorschulen was, to give young men a qualified technical education at civil installations for the benefit of Luftwaffe. Pupils of the FltechVS were drafted at the age of 14 or 15 and got a four year training at the civil aircraft-industries. They had to enroll for a 4 ½ year service at Luftwaffe afterwards. Suitable applicants were allowed to change the time of service to 12 years to make a career as Unteroffiziere. The “Miltärschüler” got free education, accommodation and provisions.

These activities were part of a progam to enhance German competence in the - at that time - high-tech aircraft-industries, which was laging behind other nations, providing civil industries and of course Luftwaffe with able technicans. At least 34 civil installations joined in.

Beginning in 1936, the “Bevollmächtigter für das Luftfahrindustriepersonal” at the RLM under the leadership of Oberst Otto Mooyer was in charge of this program. Mooyer later was appointed Generalleutnant and “Kommandeur der Flieger-Technischen-Vorschulen”. His successor was Oberst Kirsch after Dezember 1942. In fall 1944 the Reichsjugendführer got responsible for the FltechVS.

I have attached two scans out of Wenz' book for your convenience.

Greetings

Carl

[Larry deZeng]

Thank you for the additional information, Carl. I did not know that the students entered as young as 14 and that the training ran for 4 years. Very interesting.

L.

[Peglar]

Found a Foto from Budow - seeking Fotos from Gießen/Germany.

Greetings Peglar

[Bob Lyons]

Great stuff, Many thanks guys !

Bob