German Train Flak Crew Heer or Lufwaffe?

Starting an “achtung jabo” dio with a 20mm flak crew on a train flat car loading a Panther. My questions are:

  1. Which would be the most likely service for the train’s flak crew; Heer or Lufwaffe?
  2. If a Luftwaffe flak crew, would they be wearing the standard Luftwaffe blue/gray uniform with red epaulettes?
  3. If a Heer / Wehrmacht crew what color epaulettes / collar insignia?

Thanks,

Steve

1 Like

This was taken from a Lone Sentry article;

" Although railway Flak units are part of the German Air Force and are administered through the usual GAF channels, it is probable that train protection detachments are operationally subordinate to the transport authorities; there is some evidence that guns provided for the protection of military trains may in certain circumstances be manned by army personnel."

https://www.lonesentry.com/articles/ttt07/railway-flak.html

If crewed by Luftwaffe personnel, waffenfarbe is bright red. Light flak (Heer) is “white with Fl on shoulder straps”. Source; Handbook on German Military Forces.

Great info, THANKS!

Luftwaffe crew would be wearing the standard field uniform in the bluish grey colour.


1 Like

Luftwaffe Flak crews were also issued with plain black one piece coveralls to serve the guns. These I feel are a more likely uniform for a “static” unit, i.e. one that didn’t leave its location, in this case a train. Other Flak units including Waffen SS also received the coveralls on occasion.

1 Like

Peter, great info and VERY much appreciated!

Thanks again, gentlemen. That was exactly what I needed.

Steve

Interesting. I did not know that. Most pics I have seen show men in 2 piece uniforms. It is nice to learn something new. :+1: