The badge pictured to the top right was given to all qualified Wireless Operators, Air Gunners and Flight Engineers from March 1936 onwards.   The accompanying certificate made no distinction between these distinct aircrew roles, utilizing the one descriptor "Fliegerschutzen".

When the Air Gunner / Flight Engineer Badge (below right) was instituted on 22nd June 1942 the certificate was amended to reflect this change.  These personnel received a certificate specifying "das Abzeichen für Fliegerschutzen ohne Blitzbündel", that is, Air Gunner Badge "without lightning bundle".   The certificate given to Radio Operators specified the award of  "das Abzeichen fur Fliegerschutzen mit Blitzbündel" ..... the badge "with lightning bundle".

For a detailed article on this medal please see the Air Gunner Badge page.

Certificate #17745 awarded to Unteroffizier Siegfried Schubert in May 1939.

This document bears the facsimile signature of General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf  who was Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office of the RLM from September 1939 to February 1943.

Size: A4

Photo courtesy of Kai Winkler

Certificate #49153 awarded to Gefreiten (d. Res) Herbert Gieche in October 1940.

This document also bears the facsimile signature of General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf.

Size: A4

(Click on the image of the document for an expanded view)

Certificate #100633 awarded to Unteroffizier Max Broy in April 1942, a member of KG 1 "Hindenburg".

This document also bears the facsimile signature of General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf.

Size: A5

(Click on the image of the document for an expanded view)
 

Certificate #104199 awarded to Gefreiten Hans Lindemeier in June 1942.  Lindemeier flew with KG 40.

Bears the facsimile signature of General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf.

Size: A5

 (Click on the image of the document for an expanded view)

Certificate #116748 awarded to Obergefreiten Heinz Lehmann in February 1943, an Air Gunner with KG27 "Boelcke".  Note the specification "ohne Blitzbündel".

Bears the facsimile signature of General der Flieger Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf.

Size: A5

(Click on the image of the document for an expanded view)
 
 

Certificate #143194 awarded to Gefreiten Harry Richter in October 1943.  The designation "mit Blitzbündel" denotes the Radio Operator award.

This document bears the facsimile signature of Generaloberst Bruno Loerzer who was Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office from February 1943 to December 1944.

Size: A5
 

Photo courtesy of Kai Winkler
 

Certificate #146278 awarded to Obergefreiten Hans Bock in November 1943.

This document also bears the facsimile signature of Generaloberst Bruno Loerzer.

Size: A5

Photo courtesy of Kai Winkler
 

Note the title of the award:
"Fl. Schützenabzeichen ohne Blitzbündel" ....
"Air Gunner badge without lightning bundle".

Photo courtesy of Jean-Yves Nasse

Here is another Luftwaffe Soldbuch entry for the Air Gunner Badge. The recipient, Fahnenjuncker-Oberfeldwebel Ernst Romoser, was awarded the badge whilst a member of Sturzkampfgeschwader 77 (April 1939). He served during the Polish campaign with Sturzkampfgeschwader 76, completing 37 combat missions, then transferred to III/KG zbV 1 and was involved in the invasion of Norway.  From the 10th to 12th May 1940 he was "in combat with the paratroopers and air landing troops on the fortress Holland".
 

Photo: private collection