How do I become a Luftwaffe Officer? - Webpage 2


Flak artillery is divided into regiments, battalions, and batteries. Equipment dispersement corresponds to unit function. Distinction is made between light, heavy and spotlight batteries.

Air reconnaissance troops are responsible for communications within the Air Force. Units are divided into air reconnaissance regiments, air reconnaissance divisions and regional communications regiments as well as regional communications divisions, which divide up into radio and telephone companies.

Paratroopers in wartime perform special assignments which require the highest degree of audacity, courage and determination to accomplish particular results. They consist of the following sections: riflemen, anti-tank personnel, scouts, artillery, communications and medical units.

The Hermann Göring Tank Division is fully motorized and assigned specific and independent tasks. Its name will forever be associated with the heroic fighters in Africa.

Personnel is dispersed as follows:
        tank personnel, armored infantry riflemen,
        anti-tank riflemen, armored reconnaissance, armored assault
        canons, tank artillerymen, flak artillerymen, tank scouts,
        tank communications solders, tank radio operators,
        tank telephone communications, motorcycle platoon.

Career Path

The career path is as follows:
     a) Career officer of the Flight Troops
     b) Career Aircraft Engineering Officer
     c) Career officer of the Flak Artillery
     d) Career officer in Communications
     e) Career officer of the Paratrooper unit
     f) Career officer of the Herman Göring Tank Division
     g) Career Medical Officer


Caption alongside photograph reads: We want to go up with those guys.

Officers of the Flight Troops

Officers of the Flight Troops are trained as pilots and observers. Each receives specialized training according to operational assignment (reconnaissance, combat, fighter pilot, etc.)


Caption alongside photograph reads: Who wouldn't want to be the fourth man in this group?

Especially welcome are members of the Hitler Youth Aviation and Communications groups and the National Socialist Flight Corps or those currently receiving vocational training in aircraft construction or repair, model building, licensed glider or motorized aircraft training, licensed radio communications training.


Caption alongside photograph reads: Technological Riches

Aircraft Engineering Officers

The career path for aircraft engineering officers is reserved for those who are qualified and prepared for advanced training within the Air Force because of their technical aptitude as well as their soldierly disposition. Here we are referring to professional officers with military, flight and technical training and experience. There are no career engineering officers in the Flak Artillery, Communications and other branches of service.


Caption within photograph reads: Repairing the damage!


Caption under photograph reads: Protecting our homeland and manning the front lines

Officers of the Flak Artillery

Officers of the Flak Artillery are officers assigned to this branch of service. Receiving training in various kinds of equipment for light and heavy weaponry or spotlights qualifies officers as either light or heavy artillery or the spotlight officers. Within the various career paths there is specialized training available as surveying and computation officers.


Caption under photograph reads: We're happy you're with us!

Caption under photograph reads: Communications Troops...

Officers of the Communications Troops

The career path of the Communications Officer depends on the possible range of duties needed by flight and ground personnel.


Indespensible Helper

Radio operators primarily assist flight personnel. Assistance to ground troops can result in specialization in radio or telephone communications, operations or construction services.


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Imaging and translation by Susan Kriegbaum-Hanks