Report to British ambassor Eric Phipps, on information from a German officer about preliminary steps taken for the formation of a future German air force

NOTE ON THE EXISTENCE OF A GERMAN AIR FORCE, MARCH 9th, 1935
Group-Captain Don to Sir E. Phipps The Ambassador,
I was asked to go to the Reichsluftfahrtministerium this morning to speak to Flieger-Kommodore Wenninger. He had mentioned last Monday at the reception at the Japanese Embassy that he had something to tell me, and would telephone to make an appointment on Wednesday or Thursday; so it is quite evident that what he has this morning communicated to me was the result of a decision made before the cancellation of Sir John Simon's visit, and that it had been intended to speak to me before the latter's arrival.
He told me that there are certain developments which he wished to communicate to the British air attaché, and subsequently this morning and on Monday to the other service air attachés, so that they should not hear of them for the first time when they became generally known. He used the word "Soldaten" air attachés, from which it occurred to me that possibly he is not going to include M. Poincaré, the French air attaché, who is a civilian. In this way I may be mistaken, but more than once he laid stress on the fact that he was anxious that I should understand that he was talking as one officer to another. He informed me that he had received the approval of the Reichswehrministerium and of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for what he was about to say. '
He then told me that the Chancellor has given the order that, as from the 1st March, those who are destined to belong to the future German air force shall change their rank titles, and shall assume the shoulder-straps which indicate their status as regular Reichswehr personnel. A new design of wing (an eagle), incorporating the "Haken-Kreuz," has also been adopted. Flieger-
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Kommodore Wenninger, for instance, now becomes Oberst Wenninger, with aluminum braid shoulder-straps and two stars; the recently-coined title Flieger Vice-Chef now becomes GeneralLeutnant. I gathered that the prefix "Flieger" may be used in correspondence, but that, in conversation, the army rank titles will be used.
Oberst Wenninger, as he now is, showed me the changes on his own uniform, and explained that the new order applies to members of the Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule (DVS). As you will remember, this formation, with its blue uniform and yellow badges, has for long been looked upon by us as the foundation of Germany's air force.
I was further informed that the Deutsche Luftsportverband (DLV) wbuld retain its civilian status as the "sports flying" body, and I gathered that its members would retain their present nonregular titles, with Flieger-Kommander as the highest title attainable, except that Herr Loerzer, their present leader, will be permitted to retain the higher title of "Flieger-Kommodore". As you probably know, we have long been of the opinion that the DLV-, with its large membership (blue uniform with blue badges), will be the nonregular formation which will train reserve pilots and keep the nation "air minded", and be in position to supply auxiliary squadrons on mobilization.
The information, therefore, which I have received substantially confirms what we have already had good reason to believe regarding the DVS and DLV.
Oberst Wenninger impressed upon me that he had not sent for me to inform me that a German air force actually exists; formally speaking, it does not, and such an announcement must await political developments. On the other hand, preparations are in progress, including certain training schools. Of these he gave me the names of six, which he invites me to visit. I did not commit myself as to whether or not I shall take advantage of his offer. He added that he and his brother officers were only too anxious that the political situation should be cleared up so as to enable the veil of secrecy to be lifted. Meanwhile, he regretted that full details regarding future establishments and organization are not yet available.
March 9, 1935
F. P. DON, Air Attaché