Germany, Luftwaffe. An Air Gunner, by Wilhelm Deumer
(Fliegerschützenabzeichen ohne Blitzbündel). Unqalified air-gunner badge. Constructed of silvered zink, the obverse consisting of an oval blackened laurel and oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by a mobile swastika, overlaid by a diving German national eagle, the reverse with two visible rivets securing the obverse eagle in place, with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flattened catch, maker marked “W. DEUMER, LÜDENSCHEID”, measuring 43.40 mm (w) x 53.86 mm (h), weighing 24.4 grams, with loss of finish evident, in near extremely fine condition. Note; Badges were awarded to recipients who had not met the requirements for the regular badge (mainly Army gunners) who had to replace the qualified air gunners, who suffered a high rate of casualties.

