History

The German Wehrmacht was composed of three main branches, the Heer (Army), the Kriegsmarine (Navy), and the Luftwaffe (Air Force). The Heer and Kriegsmarine uniforms were based upon the designs utilized by their predecessor organizations, the Reichsheer and the Kaiserliche Marine. Conversely, the Luftwaffe uniforms were based upon the uniforms worn in the sports and paramilitary organizations that were the forerunners of the Luftwaffe. The Luftwaffe uniforms were specifically designed to deviate from the designs of the other Wehrmacht service branches. It was also necessary that the uniforms differentiate between military and civilian pilots.

The majority of cuff titles worn by Luftwaffe personnel were instituted prior to the beginning of the Second World War. The cuff titles that were instituted prior to, and during, the Second World War fall into four general categories: Campaign Cuff Titles, Commemorative Honour Cuff Titles, Formation Cuff Titles, and Great War Honour Cuff Titles.

The idea for the “Kurland” cuff title was started by Generalfeldmarschall Ferdinand Schörner, and it is categorized as a campaign cuff title. It was conferred upon personnel within all branches of the Wehrmacht who fought in Courland, Latvia, including Luftwaffe personnel. The cuff title was worn on the left forearm.

This cuff title features upper and lower borders along its edges, the obverse inscription “KURLAND,” and two coats of arms on either side of the inscription. One features the image of an elk. It is the coat of arms of the city of Mitau, capital of Courland. The other is the coat of arms of the Grand Masters of the Order of the Teutonic Knights. These attributes are generally composed of silver-coloured thread. There is a lot of variation in the construction quality and materials of these titles, because they were initially produced via hand looms, and later made by weaving machines.

These cuff titles were awarded to all personnel, with no additional attributes that indicate the rank of the wearer.