The Luftwaffe Honor Bar
The Honor Roll Clasp was a German Luftwaffe war decoration during World War II. It was instituted on July 5, 1944, by the Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Göring. Similar decorations, the Army Honor Roll Clasp and the Navy Honor Roll Clasp, were also instituted by their respective commanders-in-chief.
Design of the Luftwaffe Honor Bar
The award, made of gold-plated non-ferrous metal, features a Luftwaffe national eagle facing left with spread wings, a polished swastika in its claws. The swastika is surrounded by a delicate wreath of oak leaves. The wreath is tied at the bottom with a ribbon. The badge is hollow-stamped. On the reverse are four flat wire pins for attachment to the lanyard. The dimensions are approximately 24,2 x 24,2 mm. The weight is approximately 2,5 g. The clasp was manufactured by Otto Klein, Hanau.
Requirements for the award of the Luftwaffe Honor Bar
The Honor Bar could be awarded to any Luftwaffe soldier. The soldiers had to possess at least the Iron Cross 1st Class or the 1939 Repetition Bar, and had to have performed a single, distinguished feat of arms, or multiple acts of valor after the award of the Iron Cross 1st Class, which had not yet been recognized by a higher award.
Holders of higher awards such as the German Cross in Gold or the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross were also eligible for the award of the Ehrenblattspange, provided that they had performed an exceptional act of bravery after receiving the last award, which, however, was not sufficient to be awarded the next higher award.
Number of awards of the Luftwaffe Honor Bar
Unfortunately, there are no reliable figures available on the awarding of the Luftwaffe Honor Bar. However, the often-cited figure of 180 awards is certainly not accurate. Based on my years of observation and experience as a specialist retailer, I estimate several hundred awards and several thousand bars produced.
How to wear the Luftwaffe Honor Bar
The Honor Roll Clasp was clipped onto the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 and, like the ribbon of the Iron Cross itself, worn in the buttonhole of a blouse or skirt. It was not, however, worn on the ribbon bar or ribbon bar. Wearing the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class from 1914 together with the 1939 Honor Roll Clasp was not permitted. In its current form, as defined by the 1957 regulations governing decorations (with an eagle but without a swastika), the Honor Roll Clasp can still be worn in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The certificate for the Luftwaffe Honor Bar
The recipient received a certificate of award. His name, rank, and unit were published in the German Air Force's Honor Roll. The award was recorded in the recipient's pay book and military service record.
Value and purchase of an honorary clasp of the Luftwaffe
A single clasp is worth around €1.200, depending on its condition. For collectors, and therefore for us as well, large, complete estates with medals, certificates, photos, etc. are of particular value and interest. However, individual clasps, certificates, cases, or photos of the wearer are also sought after, and we are always happy to purchase them.
