Deutsche Luftwaffe (downed pilots) Armband

Deutsche Luftwaffe armband

This Luftwaffe Identification  armband was worn by German aircraft crew over their flying suit if they had been inadvertently  shot-down over German-held territory. There had been mistakes of 'friendly fire', when German troops had believed the crew members were enemy.

The Luftwaffe Identification armband was introduced in 1938, initially with the so-called droopy tail design. In 1944 this version  was made which had the designation 'DEUTSCHE LUFTWAFFE' printed underneath the eagle & swastika.