Radio Operator/Air Gunner Badge by JMME & Sohn

German WWII > Awards and Medals > Luftwaffe Awards > Radio Operator / Air Gunner Badge

Here we have a Luftwaffen-Fliegerschützen-Bordfunker-und Bordmechanikerabzeichen by JMME & Sohn Berlin. The Berlin firm of IMME , often written JMME in keeping with the German practice of switching these two letters made very high quality Luftwaffe badges. It was instituted January 19th, 1935 by Reichsmarschall Hermann G?ring. An airman could receive the badge after passing a qualification exam and completing a minimum of five missions over enemy territory, or two months of training, or earlier if wounded in the process of an operational flight. It is a two-piece construction made out of die struck nickel silver base. The obverse the badge depicts an open-winged Luftwaffe eagle clutching four lightning bolts in its talons. The eagle is in front of a half laurel leaf and berry half oak leaf and acorn wreath and has a mobile swastika to the very bottom. The reverse of the badge correctly displays; the "JMME & Sohn Berlin" maker mark behind the eagle. The reverse also shows; the soldered on tombak barrel hinge, soldered on round wire catch, round wire pin and two rivets. The badge depicts beautiful details, patina and highlights throughout the eagle's wings head and wreath! It measures approximately 2 1/8 inches tall by 1 5/8 inches wide. See pg. 228 of Previtera's "Combat Badges of the Third Reich". Beautiful!