Flieger-Hauptnautiker - what was that ?

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Good morning to all.

Please, could someone explain me, what did a Flieger-Hauptnautiker ??

I have seen they wore a different collar-tab on uniforms, with ranks similar to the LW airmen: Hauptmann, Oberleutnant, etc..

My main question is if they were FLIEGERS or just technical branch, like teachers on Navigation Schools (theoretical matters).

Thank you in advance.

OBS: I do ask that because I found a Hauptmann Otto Aulus, attached to II/KG 100 that was a Flieger-Hauptnautiker, on the De Zeng files >AULUS
, Otto. (DOB: 01.04.09). 01.10.41 promo to Hptm. 30.09.43 Flieger-Hauptnautiker in II./KG 100, reclassified Hptm. (A 1/Fl.) with effect from 01.10.43. 01.09.44 promo to Maj.

Adriano

[Chris Goss]

A member of the Luftwaffe's Navigation Corps (Nautikerkorps der Luftwaffe); rank equated to Hptm. Originally gold-yellow combined with dark green as their arm-of-service colour. There was also a Corps of Engineers and Flying Leader Corps. They were quite common in the more specialist units as KGr 100 and I/KG 40 in the early days and a number lost on operations

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Chris,

Thank you again! You gave me a NORTH and am finding new information, like that the Nautikekorps was disbanded in November 1941, etc.

So, what you said, when a "Nautiker" was aboard, on missions (Feindflug), there were NO Beobachter (who were trained as well on Navigation)? It seems too, that this kind of officer generally also flew with Squadrons specialized on anti-ship warfare. Did they have a different kind of training, vis-à-vis the training of Beobachters?

Thanks again
Adriano

[Larry deZeng]

Here is a bit more on the subject. But the exact nature of their duties is still something of a mystery.


Nautikerkorps der Luftwaffe - Notes



Luftwaffe Corps of Navigation:


The Luftwaffe Corps of Navigation was established sometime in the late 1938 to early 1939 time period. The actual order has not been found. Like the Engineers, the Navigators held the status of non soldiers (Beamten - Officials).

As of February 1939, the members of the Luftwaffe Corps of Navigation were ordered to wear the Luftwaffe uniform with their designating insignia which were:

1. Tabs- The tabs were very similar to those of the Corps of Engineers. The wreath/propeller were used to specify rank. The waffenfarbe, was dark green(same as the Admin Officials). These officials were all of the elevated career(silver piping).

2. Shoulder boards- The boards were multi layered like those of the Administrative Officials. The bottom layer designated the branch color(Dark Green). The upper nebenfarbe was bright yellow until 08 October 1941 when the boards were changed. The branch color then became pink with a light blue nebenfarbe.

29 November1941, The Navigation Corps was disbanded. Most of the officers were transferred into the Luftwaffe proper as line officers in the Flight Branch. However, the Luftwaffe was still cutting reassignment orders transferring these men from the Nautikerkorps d.Lw. to Truppenoffiziere (A 1) as late as 7 July 1943 (see Luftwaffenpersonalamt: Personalveränderungen in der Dienstaltersliste A (Truppenoffiziere) Nr. 674/A, in NARA WashDC microfilm RG 242/T-77 roll 961, frames 4443646-48).

Now, what did these men do exactly? Did they make maps or figure out flight plans based upon missions, intelligence, and weather?

Those who did not meet the qualifications and conditions for transfer to the Luftwaffe, or did not consent to a status as a Luftwaffe Officer were transferred to the Corps of Engineers as navigation personnel.
There were the following three paygrades:

Fliegerobernautiker- Oberleutant
Fliegerhauptnautiker- Hauptmann
Fliegerstabsnautiker- Major


Examples: BUGISLAUS, (Georg), KNAPP (Leonard), JEWORREK, (Rudolf), von BIDDIEN, (Karl), MEYER, (Otto), STAMPE, (Helmut), SARGES, (Karl), etc., etc.

[Adriano Baumgartner]

Larry de Zeng,

Firstly do let me thank you for the amazing PDF files on Luftwaffe officers you have edited. It is a huge tribute and quite useful material for researchers. Congratulations!!

Secondly, indeed we do have a huge mistery about the activities of those NAUTIKERS...I originally thought the same way you did: that maybe they made or kept maps, served as Instructors on Navigation Schools, prepared maps on the units, helped to prepare navigation plans, etc...do not know, just a guess. Some may have attended Astro Navigation Courses from the Navy, etc...

A huge THANK YOU for your most valuable and useful help!

All the very best,
Adriano