I really don't think it is confusing, if you were flying over the lines for the purpose of observation, you were, in effect, an observer, with or without a camera, firearms were issued from the outbreak of the war for airmen to defend themselves against the enemy, they were, again, in effect, air gunners.
Given that flying had taken place for observation for well over a whole year before the Army Orders that brought about the observers badge for officers and then for rank and file, clearly, badges were not uppermost on the minds of airmen, although, I suspect that staying alive was
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Originally Posted by Force136
Yes it is a very confusing question. I have a group of medals to a fellow who was a 1AM and was not originally in a flying role. They tried him out as an airgunner and was later told to wear the Observer wing. He was not trained as an observer. I believe this lack of recognition for airgunners led eventually to the winged bullet badge.
I have another set of medals to this photographer fellow. He was trained to take photographs in the air as part of a reconnaissance squadron. He was not trained as an observer. However, there is no mention in records if they were treated the same way as airgunners. So if there was no photographer trade
badge, would he also wear an observer wing?
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