Corps colours of the Luftwaffe (1935–1945)

Corps colours, or troop-function colours (ge: Waffenfarben) were worn in the German Luftwaffe from 1935 until 1945, in order to distinguish between several branches, special services, corps, rank groups, and appointments of the ministerial area, the general staff, and the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW). The corps colours were part of the uniform piping, gorget patches, shoulder straps, arabesque and lampasse ornaments of general and flag officers. They were also part of heraldic flags, colours, standards, and guidons.

In the Luftwaffe, there was a strictly defined system of corps colours for collar patches, piping, and coloured edging around the shoulder boards or straps. The chevrons on special clothes for Luftwaffe personnel, e.g. flight suits and jumpsuits, also showed corps colours.

Colours and examples
The table below contains some corps colours and examples used by the Luftwaffe from 1935-45.

Exceptions & special cases
Special regulations applied to corps colours of units, services, and special troops, attached permanently to the ground services of the Heer.


 * Division "Hermann Göring": Kragenspiegel and shoulder strap piping (Schulterklappenvorstoß) "white", collar patches´ piping (Kragenspiegelvotstoß) in corps colours:
 * White (with black border line): infantry,
 * Scarlet: artillery and anti-aircraft defence (Flugabwehr)
 * Golden-brown: communications
 * Black: engineer
 * Rose-pink: armour, antitank (Panzerjäger) and armoured reconnaissance (Panzeraufklärer).
 * Air Force divisions: Collar patch main colour: green piping to collar patches and shoulder straps in corps colours:
 * Yellow: cyclists (Radfahrer) and reconnaissance (Aufklärer),
 * Rose-pink: antitank troops (Panzerjäger)
 * Scarlet: artillery and anti aircraft defence (Flugabwehr)
 * Bright-blue: Supply (Nachschubtruppe) and Administration (Verwaltungstruppe)
 * Golden-brown: communications