Operational Flight Clasp - Luftwaffe Reconnaissance, Air/Sea Rescue - Silver

Silver Luftwaffe Reconnaissance, Air/Sea Rescue clasp with round-bar pin back

Commonly called Flight Bars, Operational Flying Clasps or Squadron Clasps, these badges consist of a central device encircled by a laurel leaf wreath set between two oak leave wings. The central device distinguishes the type of flight undertaken.  The color of the clasp identifies the number of flights achieved e.g. the Bronze clasp was awarded for 20 flights, Silver clasp was awarded for 60 flights, Gold clasp was awarded for 100 flights.

To recognize the type and number of operational flights undertaken by aircrew and certain other Luftwaffe personnel, the Frontflugspange (Front Flight Clasp) was introduced starting in January 1941. A flight was considered operational if the enemy was engaged or enemy airspace was penetrated by a given distance.  If the number of hours in the air was exceeded by a given amount a single sortie could also be counted as more than one flight towards an award.