A June 24th, 1938-dated Luftwaffe document. I don't know anything else about it. It's interesting that the form was originally meant to be issued in 1937 but was actually issued in 1938.
Pre-War Luftwaffe Documents
A June 24th, 1938-dated Luftwaffe document. I don't know anything else about it. It's interesting that the form was originally meant to be issued in 1937 but was actually issued in 1938.
Last edited by Dillinger022; 07-20-2016 at 02:43 AM.
Document shows the bearer knows how to swim. NH
Interesting, thanks.
Does the "20 Minuten" mean the bearer was able to swim for 20 minutes?
Yes. The private proved that he was able to swim for 20 minutes using freestyle swimming.
Terrific, thanks! One last question about this document: Was "Fliegerhorstkompanie Schleissheim" a training unit?
Not neccessarily, Fliegerhorst translates literally as "Flyers (pilots) nest" which would be nonsense in English but what it actually interprets as is Airbase / Airfield / Aerodrome.by Dillinger022
Most military forces have specialised units that are "airfield" related in their roles. Sometimes they are airforce personnel sometimes army.
For example in the British Forces the Army has small signals units from the Royal Signals that are styled "Airfield Troop" etc and from the Royal Engineers styled with the same title and both types of unit provide specialist support to the Royal Airforce. The Royal Airforce also has the RAF Regiment who are not aircrew but provide security, defence etc. So, Fliegerhorstkompanie would be "Airfield Company" although I couldn't tell you exactly what their role would have been I think the general idea can be inferred.
Also, in most military units there is a requirement (not always mandatory) to be able to swim. In the British Army this is known as the MIlitary Swimming Test which is generally only taken once during basic training (you don't forget how to swim!) and is entered in the soldiers records which I think is the essence of the document you have here.
Have a look at this; https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flugpl...hlei%C3%9Fheim
It is fairly easy to understand even without knowledge of the language.
I hope this helps
Regards
Mark
PS It looks to me like the 37/38 change is likely a manuscript error.
Last edited by Watchdog; 07-14-2016 at 10:25 AM. Reason: PS
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
A little background info:
There were/are different degrees of swimming certificates in Germany.
The basic level for adults under the system used until the early Eighties was the Freischwimmer ["free swimmer"] test, for which this is a certificate.
Requirements for qualification were a jump into the water from 1 meter height and 15 minutes of swimming in deep water.
The airfield in Schleißheim has been in existence since 1912, when it was built for the Royal Bavarian air corps. It was a military installation until 1981; nowadays it is a purely civilian airfield used by six air sports clubs and the Federal Police's helicopter service.
Part of it has become a satellite facility of the German Museum in Munich and is used both as a museum/exhibition site and as an aircraft restoration workshop.
Excellent info! Thanks a lot Watchdog!
Wow! Thanks for the details!
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