This is an Obergefreiter of Luftwaffe Flak - Abteilung grouping from World War II. Flak - Abteilung, or a mixed battalion of heavy, medium and light anti aircraft weapons and search light batteries. These mixed battalions of anti aircraft units were grouped into regiments, brigades, divisions and finally at corps level. A Flak corps was approximately the same strength as a heavy brigade or regular division. Six Flak corps were organized by the Germans during the war. While their primary role was anti aircraft support, these units were also often found providing anti tank support. The Third Flak corps formed in February 1944 and fought on the western front. It entered combat in Normandy with 27 heavy and 26 light batteries with around 12,000 men. It was motorized during the Normandy fighting. It was destroyed fighting in the Ruhr Pocket in April 1945. Included in the grouping are four reproduced photo's. Two are of 88mm gun crews, while the other two are individual photo's. The only thing visible on one is his collar rank of Obergefreiter, or Corporal. The other individual photo shows the collar rank of red, denoting artillery, with three flying gulls. This is the rank of Corporal. You can also see the Corporal chevrons on his left sleeve. On his right breast is the Luftwaffe Eagle. The Luftwaffe Ground Combat badge can be seen at the bottom of the photo. I can not make out which grade he is wearing. Since the photo is black and white I won't speculate on the ribbon. Along with the photo's there is a Luftwaffe Tunic Eagle, two Artillery Corporal's collar insignia, a dog tag from a Flak soldier, a Corporal's chevron and a Luftwaffe Ground Combat badge. This is a pretty interesting grouping if you collect World War II.

Item # AA751

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