On 30 January 1940 RM Göring instituted the Operational Flight
Clasp. Initially, this involved 3 patterns to cover squadrons for
The restriction of these 3 patterns was soon realised so the
introduction of additional designs followed soon after.
- Transport & Glider (19 November 1941) - Transport u.
Luftlandeflieger
- Long-Range Day Fighter and Air-to-Ground Support (13 May 1942) - Zerstörer u. Schlachtflieger
- Long-Range Night Fighter (14 August 1942) - Fern-nachtjäger
- Short-Range Night Fighter (14 August 1942) - Nahnachtjäger
- Air-to-Ground Support (12 April 1944) - Schlachtflieger
Initially, the award critieria was on operational flights completed
- Bronze = 20
- Silver = 60
- Gold = 110
As the war progressed and the numbers of flights accumulated past these initial criteria,
further recognition was rendered in the form a pendant which was suspended beneath the wreath of the flight clasp. This was
introduced on 26 June 1942.
Yet still this proved to be inadequate leading to the introduction of a numbered pendant starting
from 200 and incrementing by 100 at a time. The highest awarded being a pendant representing 2000 operational flights to the
famed Stuka pilot, Hans-Ulrich Rudel.
