German Combat Awards.pdf

A unique German phenomenon that blossomed during Word

War II, War Badges (“Kriegsabzeichen”), allowed an observer to

determine the level of experience of a particular soldier at first

glance. Though they were in existence before 1918, the number

of German War Badges dramatically increased during the war

and by 1945 there were over 40 different patterns. These were

often subdivided into classes, distinguished by the metal type

(Gold, Silver, and Bronze), and/or by having a boxed number

on the obverse of the Badge.

All three branches of the Wehrmacht awarded War Badges.

They were generally composed of a wreath of Oak or Laurel

leaves surrounding a symbol that represented the branch and

service, with a German Eagle clutching a swastika surmounting

the award. They were constructed in a variety of methods,

which are thoroughly discussed in the Badge Construction

Techniques page.

Qualification badges were different than War Badges in that the

former only required the mastering of a skill, usually not

requiring combat experience. Though again the three branches

of the armed forces issued Qualification badges, the Luftwaffe

had the most notable and visually impressive repertoire.

The Heer and SS, constituting the bulk of the land armies of the

Reich, shared the badges that are covered in the following

pages. The land battle badges were earned only after enduring

the closest, most personal and brutal form of warfare; Infantry

Combat. Some badges required that infantry “see the white” in

the enemies eyes. They were prestigious and worn only by the

Wehrmacht legions of battle harden veterans. Numbered

Badges were very difficult to attain, they were earned only after

extensive and proficient action.

These awards also covered the new weapons used during World

War II. Panzer Badges were created to decorate both

blitzkriegs attacking tank crews and defensive tank hunting

personnel. The numbered badges were highly esteemed, and

were reserved for the most skilled and lucky armor aces.

he Infantry Combat Badge, more commonly referred to as the

Infantry Assault Badge, was designed by C. E. Junker of Berlin

and instituted on December 20, 1939 by Generaloberst von

Brauchitsch. The initial class was instituted in silver and

decorated foot infantry who participated in combat action

earning a degree of experience that qualified them for the

badge.

A separate class, in Bronze, was instituted on June 1,

1940. The Bronzed class had criteria similar to the

requirements the Silver. There was, however, one notable

distinction; The status of the troops, bronzed meant motorized

Panzer troops, silver meant foot infantry.

Manufacturing and Technical information

The Infantry Assault Badge consists of an oval wreath of oak

leaves, made up of four leaves on each side of the arch. Every

oak leaf has two acorns, one on each side of the base of the

leaf. Centered at the bottom of the badge is a ribbon tied

around the wreath, with five raised pellets in a vertical position

at the center of this ribbon. The Badges most distinguishable

feature is the K98 rifle positioned diagonally across award. The

butt of this rifle, positioned on the right, is slightly below the

wreath. It leans to the left, with its fixed bayonet protruding

through the last of the four oak leaves. The rifle sling forms a

loop, hanging from the stock to the butt. Surmounting the

wreath is the national emblem; an eagle with down swept wings

clutching a swastika in its talons. The badge has intricate

detailing from the eagle down to the bolt on the rifle.

The Infantry Assault Badge measures 46mm across and was

slightly convex with either a solid or hollow back, and could be

die stamped or cast. The reverse had a vertical pin with a hinge

that was attached to the back of the eagle, with a retaining "C"

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