Luftwaffe NCO Preparatory School

In spite of intensive recruitment for volunteers and the passing on of volunteers from the Flieger-HJ who ensured the continuation of the Unteroffizier-Korps der Luftwaffe (Airforce NCO Corps), officials of the State Ministry of Air Traffic (Reichsluftfahrtministerium) in Berlin continued to watch the development of the Heeres-Unteroffizier-Vorschulen (Army NCO Preparatory Schools, further referred to as HUVS) which had been instituted on April 1, 1940. Upon noting the initial test results obtained from these schools, it was decided that Unteroffizier- Vorschulen fur die Luftwaffe (Airforce NCO Preparatory Schools, further referred to as LUVS) should be instituted and based on the army pattern. The first LUVS opened its doors on May I, 1941 and was based upon the principles and standards of the HUVS. The first company was stationed at the city of Annaberg near the border of Czechoslovakia.

At the Inspektion fur Erziehung und Ausbildung der Luftwaffe (Inspection of Airforce Education and Training) which was led by Generalmajor Tschoeltsch, a special office was instituted and was independent in its thinking. In August 1941 the LUVS was expanded: the 1st company was enlarged, and the new 2nd, 3rd and 4th companies were stationed at Castle Hubertusburg at Wermsdorf near Leipzig under the command of Oberst Drauts.

The LUVS consisted of a staff (see below for special distinctive insignia) and 200 students. A company consisted of four platoons, two of which formed a so-called "inspection." As previously indicated, the LUVS was similar in organization to the HUVS, but with special training based on Luftwaffe needs. The goal was to prepare these students for any of the secondary Unteroffizierschulen with specific training in their later profession as flight personnel, signals, antiaircraft artillery, parachutist or ground personnel. Educators of general education were called Obelfachschullehrer. Additional technical training, such as driving of small vehicles, was not taught at the LUVS.

On November 22, 1941 the LUVS was renamed Unteroffizierschulen der Luftwaffe (Airforce NCO Schools, further referred to as LUS) in spite of the fact that the youngsters had not reached the minimum age for Armed Forces service. The commands of the schools also changed their names to Kommando der Unteroffizierschulen der Luftwaffe.l Since 1942 no new students were accepted at the airforce institution, or those of the army and navy. Annaberg/ Wermsdorf remained the only school of this type until 1942. But on April 1, 1942 new schools were instituted: LUS 2 at Stetten (Stuttgart); LUS 3 at the castle at Werneck (between the cities of Wtirzburg and Schweinfurt) and LUS 4 at Neu-Sandez in the Generalgouvernement (the Polish area). Volunteers who joined these institutions had to be at least 17 years of age.

Between January and March 1944 a number of students were transferred into the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD), but returned to Annaberg/Wermsdorf on April 1, 1944. This school was now officially designated at LUS 1 and organized just as was LUS 2, 3 and 4. The boys were "appointed" as soldiers with the rank of Airforce NCO, but the final goal of the schools was never achieved. The LUV students were put into action in late 1944 on the battlefield near Aachen (Htirtgenwald) where they suffered heavy losses. Only a few students survived the war.

Uniforms and Insignia

The uniforms worn were as those of the German Luftwaffe, but in a lighter blue. A grey-blue shirt and black tie were worn with the Waffenrock and Fliegerbluse. The collar was worn open. The collar patches were of an oblong style as used at the Lufwaffenmusikschule at Sondershausen, but in yellow and without the metal gulls as normally worn by the Luftwaffe. On the lower portion of the patch the so-called Jahrgangsabzeichen were worn, consisting of a small lace: first year one white lace; second year two; and third year three. A period photo shows two laces and a pip. The purpose of this is not known but is believed to be for Zugfiihrer. Initially, the piped shoulder straps had no number designation, but later both shoulder straps carried an Arabic number" I" embroidered in yellow. Collar patches and shoulder straps were also worn on the greatcoat.

Other basic uniform parts and insignia consisted of: a piped visored cap with regular Luftwaffe national eagle emblem and winged wreath/cockade; a field cap with regular cloth cockade and eagle emblem. They were also supplied with long trousers and probably with standard Luftwaffe equipment such as steel helmets and belts with the Luftwaffe buckle. The regular Drillich uniform was also worn. Note: a Luftwaffe eagle emblem was worn above the right breast pocket, but a cuffband, as worn by the HUVS, Heeres- and Luftwaffenmusikschule, was not instituted for the LUVS.

There was a uniform color difference for UVS 1 and 2 in contrast with UVS 3 and 4. The color for UVS 1 and 2 were of a lighter blue-grey whereas the color for UVS 3 and 4 was the regular Luftwaffe uniform color.

From August 12, 1942 the students at LUS 1, 2, 3 and 4 were authorized the wear of a grey-blue round patch with the letters "US" in matte-grey emboidery. This patch was to be worn on the lower right sleeve of the Waffenrock, approximately 1.0cm above the cuff sleeve.When the Fliegerbluse was worn it was in the same position. Students were authorized to wear this patch until they were officially appointed as NCOs. Note that the wear of this patch has not been observed in any of the available photographs.

Shooting awards (Schiessauszeichnungen), in the style of smaller lanyards worn at the HUVS, were not introduced at the LUVS, neither were the distinctive insignia (Dienststellungsabzeichen) for functions as Stuben- or Klasseniilteste (room and class students with seniority). The proper manner of addressing the students was Unteroffiziervorschiiler. It is not known why the term Jungflieger was not used, although the army used Jungschiitze and the navy used Jungmatrose. Once again, it appears that the LUS was independent in their own matters.

Officers, NCOs and enlisted ranks (known as Stammpersonal) who were assigned to an LUVS were ordered to the wear the uniform of their "old" branch. On June 30, 1941 they were authorized to wear the "UVS" cypher on their shoulder straps: for officers-gold metal; NCOs who were authorized to wear a Portepeewhite metal; all others, including NCOs who were not authorized to wear a Portepee-white embroidery. All were on shoulder straps piped with their "old" branch of color. Shoulder straps and boards could be obtained through outlets of the Kommando der Unteroffizierschulen und Unteroffiziervorschulen del' Luftwaffe at their particular Luftgaukommando. When the LUVS was renamed, a November 22, 1941 order was published which stated that the letters "UVS" were to be replaced by "US."

Research by George A. Petersen Translated by Mathieu de Wolf / Mentored by Wilhelm PBR. Saris;UNTEROFFIZIER-VOLSCHULEN DER LUFTWAFFE, The Military Advisor, Fall 2003

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