German Medals and Decorations

7/27/2019 German Medals and Decorations

1/93

0100010

SUPREMEHEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCEEVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION SECTION^COUNTER INTELLIGENCE SUB-DIVISIONJSA.CGSCiACCESSIOr-PO RG!STR

GERMAN MEDALSAND

DECORATIONS

11 iCOMPILED BY M I R S(LONDON 8RANCH)


2/93

P O B E V 0 R D

This manual, which is designed primarily for the use of intelligence personnel of U.S. and British armies, nas prepared by the MILITARYINTELLIGENCE RESEARCH SB3TION, London Branch, for the SUPREME HEADQUARTERSATJiTJSD E3FSDITIONARY FORCE.

Requests for additional oopies of this publication should be madethrough channels to the EVALUATION fcAND DCSSEMINATIC^f SECTION, G-2 (CounterIntelligence Sub-division), REAR ECHELON, SHAEF, Comments, including oorrections of factual detail, should be transmitted promptly and may beaddressed directly to the MILITARY IIOTLUGENC E RESEARCH SECTION, 1*0Park Gate, London, S.W.7.


3/93

I .TABLE OF CONTSi-JTS

B * r t 1 .PagoS e c t i o n A . GEUT5KAL COMBAT

I . IEOI1 CROSS ( Ei rn as : 'K r uz )1 . I r o n C r o s s o f 1 6 1 3 .2 . I r o n C r o s s o f 1 8 7 0 .3 . I r o n C r o s s o f 1 9 1 4 . k* Iron Cross of 1939.

I I . V2AR 23EVID3 OF MERIT CROSS (l v ri o -s v o rd i n st k rw u z ) (I I I THE MOUND BADGS (lta.s V er w on de te na bz ai eh on ) ,

I V . ORDER OP THE (H Hi :^ CEDSS (K r i eg so rd en dec D u u t s c h o n K r e u z e s ) V . THE I-I0I'';0R-B0LL 13ADGE ( D ie 3 h r e n b l a .t t- 3 p a n g e ) ,

V I . BSA.VEEY ^ D SERVICE OF MERIT BADGE FOR EASTEHNVOLUIITEERS ( T a p f o r : : a i t s * m i d V e r d i e n s t a u s z e i c h n u n g f i i r y j i g e b B r i g t : d a r 0 t v f l H : e r ) Section B. ASSAULT

I INPAN'CRY ASSi'iULtT BADGE (l n f3 L nt ri - S tu rm a. b zf il oj a n ). .. . 8I I . TANK ASSAULT BADGE' (P su iz er ka m pf ab za ic ho n) 8

I I I ASSAULT BADGE (GENERAL) (Stun a*. bz ich en (A lls c: :i in os )) 9IV . O P E C I / L L INSIGNIA FOR TIE SINGLE-HANDED DESTRUCTIOIiOF TANTCS ETC. ( S o n d e ra b z ^ ic h e n ftt r da s L Tiedorld4inpfnvon Panzerka.-npfvja.gcn us w. oiirch_ Eiii zl kJL apf er) 10

V. CLOSE-CO^EAT BADGE (Nahkampfapanse). . . . . IX)V I . ARMY ANTIAIRCRAFT BADGE (K ec r s- F la k- *i .b ze ic h n n

S e c t i o n C. CAKP4-I


4/93

II .

I I I SUDJiJTilN COl'foH&CIUTIDN MSBaL ( i J e d a i l l c a u rK r i m i o r u n g an dn 1 O k t o b a r 193& j 12IV. MHL GO.i.2E2vDRAT3D)i MKDAI* (Modaillo zur

Srimiurung an di Hoiukehr ds Manrellandos) X3V. DANZIG GROSS (Danzigor Kruz; 13

VIw NARVIK SHIELD (l larvikccii i ld) 13VII . CKfcTE AEMBAin) ( l n n l b a n d K r ta i) 13

V I I I . CIDLK SHIELD ( C h o l m a c h i l d ) . 14E l . KASTEEK PliONT JGIlaL (Ostn:od^.illo) 34

X . C H I i m SHIELD ( K r l T i s c h i l d ) 15XI. DEMJANSK SHIELD (Demo&nskschild) 13

XII . KUBAN SHriLD (Kubanschild) 15X I I I . GUEEILlA-WAia'AEE MKDiiL (Bamd(Mik;npf-Abseichen) 16

XIV , Ai'RIGA AEMBAND ( I r r c c l b c n d A fri lca ^ 16XV . GER MAN -1IALIAJI COiMMKyOEATIDN MCDAL

It al i^ ni sc he Erimienuigsniedaille} 17S e c t i o n D. XAZI PARTY DECORA.TIQNS

I NATIONAX SaC IAL IST ORDEK OF BLOOD OP9 NOYMBiP 1923 ( N a t i o i i & l - S o z i a l i s t i s c h e sB l u t o r d e n von: 9 N ovcm bcr 1923) lbI I INSIGNIA OF HONOR FOR THE PIHST 100,COOMEMBERS (S h r en ze i c he n f t i r M i t g l i d s r u n t r l^UEcuer 100 000y 18

I I I COBURG BADGE (Coburgcr-Abzcichen) 18I V . NijRNEERG PiJJTY CONVENTION BADGE OF 192S( N t i n i b c r g o r P a r t e i t & g s a b z G i c h c n von 192 9) 19

V . BADG-K OF THE Sil-COWIS.TIOII AT BRAUNSCHWEIG OF 193 1( A b s e i c h e n von 3*i-reffoi: BrJ.uiisch-A'-jig 1931) 19

HESTRICTJ5D


5/93

i n ,GOLD HITLER-YOUTH MDGE (Goldenes ILJ-Abzeiqhcn) 19

V I I . NAZI PARTY S3HVIC3 BADGES (NSHJPDien3t^i3zeich nung sn). . ; 19V I I I . DISTRICT IN'SIGXIA. OF HONOR OF THE NAZI

(Gau-I2ircnzcichcn de r NSDAP) < 20Sec t ion E . MISCELLANEOUS DECORATIONS

I MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVERS' BADG-E OP MERIT21

I I MARKM\KSE3P AWARDS (Schli tz cnkuszaichnungon) 21I I I LONGEVITY MEDALS (^ienst& uszeichnungon). . . 22

IV. SOCIAL SERVICE EuiLG-E (iSlirnz*ichn flirdoutsche Volkspf lags) V. GERLiUJ DLTOISS-v&LL i'EDAL (DcutschesSchutzvAll-Ehrenzoichon)

23

24VT. AIR-DSPENSS iJBrtvL (Luftscf tut z-Ehrcnzeichen^ 24

V I I . A1AAKDS FOR LIF'ti-SAVINCJ (Blohnvmg von

1* Lif0-Sa.ving Hod L \vitli Ribbon (R ot tung s]Lda.illo din 3and) 25

2# Comnieiiiorfc.tion Medal fo r Rescuo from Dsuigor(Erinnerungsmdi.ill f\ir Rettung aus Gs i ' aJ ir ). . . . . . 253 Pu bl ic C it a ti o n ({Jffantlich Bslobigung) 25

V I I I . GERMAN EAG-LE ORDER Oi1 KSRITorden vo:n Dutcchn Ad lo r) (Vardianst 25IX. CROSS OP HONOR OF TIES WORLD WAR

(iShrenkreuz des W*ltkrigs) 26X. SPORTS BADGES OF HONOR (Sporthrnzuich


6/93

IV .3 . German Olynpia. Awards (D eutsc he Ol^ inpia-Auszeichnungen) 274 . German 13Dtor Spor t s Badge (DeutschesLio torsp or tabze ichen) 28% German Horseman's Badge (DGutsch.esReitera.bz


7/93

V.

XVTII. DR. rari'Z TOUT PRIZE(Br.P ri t z-^odt-Prois) 30XIX. GERMAN MDTHERS1 CROSS OF HONOR

(Ehrenkrouz d c r dcutschen Mutter) . . 31Section P . MEDALS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

I MEDALS OF THS PRE-WORLD WAR AND WORLD \&R PERIOD.1. Blucher St ar (31uchrstern} 322 . Pour L l.:orit . . . 3 23 House Ordsr of Hohcsnzollcrn

(lia-usordcn von Hohenzollarn) 324 Ordor of tlie Crov/n (Kronenordan) 355. Order of th Rad Sa.gl (Rotor-Adlcr-Orden) 336. Militstry Service of ilori t Cross(MilitSLrverdianstkrouz) 337. Rd Cross Modal (Rote-Krauz-Jfod&ille) 338. Cross of Morit for Aid in the War Effor t

(Verdienstkreuz fttr KriogshilfQ) 34I I DECCRATICITS OP THE BALTIC iuTD SILSSIAN CAMPAIGNS OP 1919/20

1. Ba lt ic Cross (Baltonl:reuz) 3k2. Silesifiji Badge of Msrit(Schlesisches Bavrfthrungsabzeichan; * . . 3 43 Rolaaid of Bremen (Brmr Roland) 3k

I I I DTDIVTDUAL STATE DBCCEATICNS.1 . PRUSSIA

a) Contannial Uodal (Centnan.iodaillo) 35

RESTRICTED


8/93

VI.

b) Prussian Military Service Badges(Preussische DicnstauZichnungn) 35

c) Prussian Militia Badge(Preussische Landwhr3LUszcichnung) 352 .

a) 3.2Llitary Order of St. Keinrich(Milit&r-St* -Heinrichs-Ordn) 35b) Corcmnder's Cross (Koianiandeurkrauz) 35c) Friodrich August 2I&dal

(Friedrich-August-Medaillo) 35d) B ravory MedaJL of S(Siich-ische Tapforkitsm9CULille} 35

3 - BAVARIAa ) M i l i t a r y( O r d r 1&LX J o s e p h ) 35b) Military Medical Order

(Militar-Sanitat s-Ordn)c) Bravory Modal in Gold and Si lv er(Goldn und Silbwrno Tapfarkfiitsracdaillc)

3535

d) Military Service Badge*( B a y e r i s c h e D i < m a t a u s z i c h n i a i g n ) 35

a; Mil itary Servic of Merit Cross(Militar-Verdicnstkreuz) 35

b) Military Service of Mrit Medal in Gold(Golden* Militax^-Verdienstmedaille) 36c) Military Service Badges

(Wirttnibergi3ch0 Dicnstauszciclmimgen; , 36

RESTRICTED


9/93

V I I .

5 . BADKN&) Mi l i t a ry Order of K e r i t K a r l F r i e d r i c h(Mi l i tSLr-Kar l -Pr iedr ich-Verdi in3tordn)b ) S e r v i c e of Mer i t(Badische Lledalc ) Mi l i t a ry S erv i ce B adges(Badiache Ddens tauszeichnungen) 36

6 . OTHERSa) Heasen Bravery Medal(Hess i s che T^pfo rkd i t s t neda i l l e ) 36b) Mecklenburg-Schwerin Scrvica of 15srit(Macklenburg-Schwerin Vordianstkraaiz) Cross 36c) Ip.ppe-Dtinold Service of Mer i t(L i ppa-Det n i o l d -Verd i ens t k reuz) Cross 36d) Braunschweig Serv ice of Meri t Cross(BrsLunach'weigiscliess-Verdienstkrcjuz) 36e) Oldenburg Pr iedr ich Augus t Cross(Oldenburger-FricBdrich-August-Krouz) '. 37f) Sachscn-iiha.rt S^rviot of &crit Cross( ) 37g) Hamburg H&nsa Cross( ) 37h.) Braiaen H&naa Cross(3rtsiner-Hfiaisei.tCii-Krauz) 37i ) Hibe ck HansA Cro ac(Lubclcer-Hanceii.tcii-KrQUz) 37

7* AUSTRIAa ) l i i l i t a r y O r d e r M a r ia T h e r e s i a( l l i l i t a r - M a r i e n - T h r e s i 9 n - O r d e i \ / . . 37b) B ravery Meda l (Tap fe rka i t smada i l l e ) 37c) ConsnemDrat ion Medal (Sri i inerungaacdai l lc) 37

.BESTRICTED


10/93

VIII.

&} Mi li tary Service of Lorit Cross(iiilitJtr-Vordir.st-Kreuz) 37o) Austrian Wound Badge

(Oesterr


11/93

I X .

5 ) ^ a r - F l i g h t s 3 a x f o r K i ^ h W i g h t t t r P e r s o n n e l(F ro nt flug spa ng e ft ir ICaclit ja ge r) 406) Pendant to 1/ar-Flights Bars in Gold(Anhlngur zur goldenen Fro ntf lugspa nge ) 40

I I G-RCUUD C0I3AT BADGE OF THE AIR FOSCE(Erdkarapf abz cich en dor Luftwaffe) 41I I I SILVER OF H01I0R FOR DISTINGUISHED COLSAT ikCOOMPLIS-DdENTS(E hr an sch ale f t t r hervorra^orid Karapfleis tungen) 42

IV . AIR FORCE AITCIAIRCRAF? BADGE(Kwapf abz dicho n dr Fladcart i l l e r i c ) 42V . 0TIE2R iilR liORCE DE00BATI01

1 . Cup of Honor fo r Spscis.1 Aooo mplishnonts inAir Warfare (jihrenpokaLL fftr bsondrcLe istu ng im Lu ftk riog ) 4-32* Photograph of ^"Reichsmai ' schal l '1 i n a S i l v e rFr&iiia (D&s Bild des Horrn Reichsmarschall imSi lberrahmen) 433 . Tho Goldan i3ook for Flying Peraonnl.a go l dene B uch de r F l i e g e r ) . . . ^ 434-. Honor L is t o f th n i r Force

( E h r e n l i s t a de r Lu ftm ffa ) 4-3S e c t i o n H. SPECIAL MVY miCOR. JIO HS

1 # Submarine Sorvi'cfa :-3aoge (y-13oots-Krigsabz v;ich, n 1939) 442 . Dest royer Serv ice 3&.dg (Zrs t5rer -Krigs 443 . llinesrwepr and Eaoort Urci't Service .-ifedgo

(Kriegsabzaichen f l i r i i inansuch . - , U-Boots -Ja g d - und 3icherunt,3vorbabidii) 4-44 . *xrnd Ltordiant C ru is e r Se rv ic e Badge(Kr i egsabze i chen f i ir I l i l f s k r cu ze r ) . 445 # F l ee t S o rv i c* 3adg


12/93

X.

6. PT-Boat (E-.3oat) Sr vic o Badge(SchnllbQot~Krigafiibzc>'ich@n} . 457 . Blockado j&mners Ba.dg(Abzeichn ftl r BlockA&obrttchar) 458 Nava.1 Coast A r t i l l e r y Badg

(Krigsabzichcn ftir I f e r i n t a r t i l l o r i e ) 45

Section I , CBRTIPICATBS OF AWA3H) (BfisitzsGUgriisse; 46

Section J . EXAMPLES Ofcn HDW MEDALS ABE WORK 46

Part 2.

A. GENEKAL COMBAT DECOEAIICNS PIA TES I - I IB ASSAUIiC BADGES PLATE I I IC . CAMPAIGN DECORAT3DNS PI ATE S IV-VD . NAZI PARTY UECOKATIONS PLATES V I - V I I - V I I IB MISCKriTANEOUS -33BCOHATJDNS .PLA TES I X - X - X I - X I I

X I I I - X I V - X V!? MEUiALS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST PL&TES X V I- X V II

X V I I I - X I X - X X X X I - X X I I

G. SPECIAL AIR FO RC S DECORATIONS PL^iTE X X I IIH . SPEC IAL NAVY DECORATIONS PLATE XXIV

I CERTIFICATES 01'AWARD PLATE XXVJ EXAMPLES OF HOW MEDALS ARE YftHN PLA TES X5CVI-XXVII

RESTRICTED


13/93

I IT T R 0 D U C T I O N

Tha info relation and ill u st ra ti o n s contained in t h is reportwar compiled from a gre at vari et y of sources. In general , theo f fi c ia l German pub lication s nCrdn und llirenzeichen11, "AllgamGineHre3mittilungsnrt, Hcoro3vrordnungsbllttrM, and "Luiftwaffe-Vererdnungsblatter" irare used as prihiary sources , However, othe ro f f i c i a l , 3


14/93


15/93

XT


16/93


17/93

1 .

Bart 1.

A. GiMRAL OOLiBAT DECORATIONS

I . IROK CBOSS (iiiiserneBKreuz)1 . Iro n Cross of lu lp (p la te 1-1)The Iro n Cross, the ol de st and best-known of a l l German dec or at io ns ,was o r i g i n a l l y rounded on 10 Lj&rch 1513 by King Fri edri ch wilhelm I I I a s aPrus sian s ta te medal. This or ig in al Iron Cross of 1813 i s id en ti ca l i nshape with th e Iron Cross of today. I t bea rs in the cen ter three oak le av es;t he crown of Pr us si a wi th the l e t t e r s "FT/" (F ri ed ri ch WilheOjn) belov/ i t , i sportrayed at the top while the year Ml813ir i s ins crib ed a t the bottom. Inthe war years 1813-15, a total of 8542 Iron Crosses were distributed amongso ldi er s of the. PrussianBesid es th e Ir on Cross 1st and 2nd c l a s s , King Fr ie dr ic h 'tVilhelm al sofounded the Great Cross of the Iron Cross (Grosskreuz des Sisernen Kreu25es).Th is d ec or at io n -was awarded only five times during the war of li b er at io n1813-15* I t s r ec ip ie nt s were: Blucher for the ba t t l e of Katzbach; Bttlowfor the battle of Dennewitz; Tauenzien for the capture of V/itteribcrg; andTork for the b a t tl e s of Laon- P a ri s. For p o li ti c al reasons, the fi ft h GreatCross went to t he t he n Crown Pri nc e of Sweden, the former French GeneralBerxitidotte.2* Ir on Cross of 1870 (P la te 1-2)u?hs Ir on Cross was re in tr odu ce d oy King Wilhelra I of Prussia on19 Ju ly 1870, the day France dec lar ed war on Pr us si a. Unlike the Iron Crossoi ' 1313, t h a t of t he Fra nco -Pru ssia n ,.ar was not embellished with th e ce nt eroa k- le av es . These were repla ced by th e l e t t e r "ft11 (Viilhelm), while thePr us si an crown appea red a t the top , and th e yea r "1070" a t the bottom. Asthe ea r l i er Iron Cross, th is also has three cla ss es: 1st c la s s , 2nd cl as s , andth e Great -Jross. The f i r s t rec ip ie nt of the Iron Gross 1st clas s of t h i s warwas L t. Co l. von He llw ig, C O . of th e 9 th Hu ssa rs, "Regijnont Bheiji11. Thefollowing number of awards were made during the war years of 1870-71: 9 GreatCr os se s, 130^ Ir on Crosses 1s t c l a s s , and 43,005 Iro n Crosses 2nd c la ss . Ther a t i o of award was approximately one to eve ry twenty s o l d i e r s .The follo win g were r ec ip i en ts of the Great Cross : Crown Prin ce F ri ed ri chTfilhelm; King ^Libert of Sascony; Grand Duke Fr ied r ich Franz of iuecklenburg-Schwerin; Prin ce Fr ie dr ic h Ka rl of Pr us si a, and th e Generals von Moltke, vonIfi tnt euffe l, von Goeben, and von Warder At th e conc lus ion of the war, KingV/ilheLu I , at the en tr ea ty of hi s General Sta ff conf erred the Groat Crossupon himself . Crown Prin ce Fr io dr ic h Wilholm was the f i r s t re ci pi en t of theGreat Cross for his victories at Weisseriburg and Yforth.

RESTRICTED


18/93

2.3 . Iron Cross of 1914 (P la te 1-3)Kaiser '.Tilhelm I I re in st it u te d th Iron Gross for the th i r d timeon 5 August 1914. For th e f i r s t time i t became e li g ib le to no n-P rus sia ns ,as well as to menibersof the Gorman Uavy. An order of 16 March 1916 au th ori ze d the award of the Iron Gross to so ld ie rs of the na tio ns al l i e d toGermany, I t i s id en ti ca l in design with th e e a r l i e r Iron Cro sses , with

the exception that "1914" replaces the M187O" a t the bo ttom . Thoseal re ad y pos se ss ing th e I ro n Cross of 1870, and -who wore ag ai n av/arded theIron Cross of this war, received a bar having a miniature Iron Cross ini t s ce nt er and in sc ri be d with the year "1914"- This ba r wa.3 worn on th eribbon of the ea r li e r Iron Cro ss. The Iro n Cross 2nd cl as s vas worn ona black -wh ite-b lack ribb on , while the Iron Cross 1s t c la ss was pinned tothe breast without a ribbon.The award of t he Iron C rosses of t h i s war close d on 51 -larch 1924with th e following t o t a l s : 5,196,000 Iron Cross 2nd c l a s s ; 218,0C0 Ir onCross 1s t cl as s; 5 Great Cross es. In t h i s war every th ir d German so ld ie rrece ive d one form of the Iron Cross* The following were r ec ip ie n ts ofthe Great Cross: the Kaiser; Hinderiburg; Llackensen; Prince Leopold ofBa var ia; and Ludendorff. In ad di ti on 13,000 Iron Cross 2nd c la s sawarded fo r di st in gu ishe d servi ce s a t home. These were worn on aribbon, edged with black.

werewhite

*- Iron Cross of 1939 ("Plate l/k~3)On 1 September 1939 th e Iro n Cross vtis rein tro du ced by H i t l e r fo rthe fourt h time , th is time a s a Reich na tio nal decor ation . The IronCross of today may be awarded fo r conspicuous bravery in fa ce of t he enemy,or for outstanding services in leadership on the b at t l e fi el d . I t i s ablack cro ss edged with s il v e r . In i t s cen ter reposes a. swa stik a, v/hilethe numerals H1939" ar e ins cri be d a t the bottonu The ribbon i s bla ck -white-red from the edges inmrd, the single central stripe being thebr oa de st. There ar e seve ral gradess of t h i s dec ora tio n, and they rankin the following order:

Iron Cross 2nd class (lowest grade)Iron Cross 1st cla-ssKnight's Cross of the Iron CrossOak Leaves to the Knight f s Crosse) Oak Leaves with Swords to the Knight's Crossf; Oak Leaves with Sivords and Diamonds to th e Knig ht 's C rossg) Great Cross of the Iron CrossI f t he hol de r of th e Iro n Cross 1s t or 2nd cl a s s of th e war of1914-13 should win the Iro n Cross in th e pres en t war, he does not re ce iv eano the r cr os s; he i s awarded ins tea d & si lv e r ba r in the form of theGerman e a ^ e and sm s t i k a , under which is th e cte.te "1939" . (P la te 1-6)Th is ba r i s worn on the ribbon of the I ro n Cross 2nd cl as s o r p innedto t he blou se immediately above the Iro n Cross 1s t c la ss .a ) Iro n Cross 2nd cl as s (Kise rnes Kreuz II. K 1. )The Ir on Cro s3 2nd c la ss may k worn suspended from th e ribb on

H3STRICTED


19/93

3 .over the l e f t br east pocket. Usu ally, however, the ribbon alone i sTPorn passed through th e second button hole ofth e b lou se. (P la te 1-4)

fc) Iron Cross 1st class (Ei3ernes Kreuz I.K1.)Awarded to holders of the Iron Cross 2nd CIASS only for further

ac ts of bravery on the b a tt le fi e ld . It i s the same as the 2nd cla ssmedal, but i t i s -worn, fastene d to the l e ft bre ast pock et, without aribbon. (Plate 1-5)A ll members of the Armed Fo rces , reg ard less of rank, are e li g i b leto re ce iv e the Iron Cross in a l l grades. The awards are made in thename of the Ftthrer on recommendation of the C-in-C of the respective branchof the Armed Fo rc es , or the Chief of th e High Command of the Armed Fo rces.The award of the cr oss in a higher grade i s predicated on th possessionof the next lower grade.c) Kni^it's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkrcuz das Eisernen

Kreuzes)Th is nex t higher grade of the Iron Cross may be awarded on thede cis ion of H itl er on ly. It may be bestowed for the display of excepti o n a l person al bravery having a de ci siv e ef fe ct on th outcome of ab a tt le . This cross i s large r than the Iron Cross 1st and 2nd cl a ss ,and is worn around the neck on a broader ribbon of the same colors.1781 Knigiht's Crosses were awarded during th fi r3 t 3 years o f the presen twar.) O&k Leaves t o the K nig ht's Cross (Eichenlaub zum Ritte rkrus)

This decoration consists of three silver oak-leavs oountod on theribbon , imm ediately above the K ni ^i t's Cross. It was awarded for thef i r s t time at the memorable se ss io n of the Reichstag on 19 July 1940 tothe now dead Ctonralleutnant Di*tl for his conduct of the campaign atNarvik. By th e middl of Jarfuary 19 43, 182 members of the German ArmedForces had rec eiv ed th is honor. (Pla te 1-7)e) Oak leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross (Eichenlaubmit Schwortern zum Ritterkreuz)This medal, mounting two crossed swords blow the oak leaves,has been awarded 24 times up to April 1943* (Plate 1-6)f) Qak Leavos w ith Swords and Diamonds to the K nig ht's Cross( i h "h ifr Schwertern und BriilantGn zum Ritterkrouz)Th is de co ratio n, one of the hig he st Gnnan award fo r bravery, i ssimilar to the one above, but with the oak lea.vs and the sword-hiltsstudded wit h diamonds. Up to a year ago only th fiv e most su cc ess fulfighter pilots received this decoration, in the following order:

RESTRICTED


20/93

4.O bc rs tlt . Holders; the now Gancralmajor Galland, inspoctor of ni^xt fi gh te rs ;ilajor Gollob; Obit, iii rs tti lle on h is reputed 125th a i r vic to ry ; and f in al lyObit. G-raf on h is 172nd a i r victo ry . (Plato 1-9)

Th bestowal of th Iron Cross, as well a s of a l l other Germandecorations, i s in each instance accompanied by a ce rt if ic a te of award(Basitzurkunda), which remains in tho possession of the recipient.g) Great Gross of the Iron Cross (Grosskruz dts Eisernen Kreuzes)This highest of Gorman decorations is worn suspended from the neckon a broad black-whi'tc-rod ribbon. In size i t i s double th at of theIro n Cross. I t i s awarded only for outstand ing achievements which havea decis ive influence on the course of the war. "Reichsmarschall" Gttringi s the only wearer of t h i s modal, having received i t in rec ogn ition ofh i s crea tio n and development of the German Luftwaffe.

I I . ,;AR Safl/TCa OF HBBIP CBOSS (Kriegsverdianstkreuz)Hitler founded this decoration on 18 October 1939 to reward servic es for which the Iron Cross could not be conferred. The Knigjat'sCross of the V?ar Service of Llerit Cross was in s t i tu ted on 28 August 1940.This decoration na.y be awarded in th e following four grades :1. War Service of Merit Cross 2nd clas s (lowest grade)2. \in.r Service of Lierit Cross 1st class3. E l l i o t ' s Cross of the War Service of Merit Cross4


21/93

5.The K nig hts Gross of the Ws.r Service of LIcrit Cross (R it te rkrcuz des Kriegsverdienatkreuzes) i s si lv er . I t is lar ge r than the 1stand 2nd clas r cr oss es , and i s suspended fro:.: the neck on a broader ribbonof the saine colors* The bes t or al of t h i s decoration i s reserved for the5'HQirer. I t may also be conferred -with svords for outstanding adlit& rydeeds th at d ec isive ly effect the trend of the viar, or without svjords foroutstanding acco.-ipliahments in connection with the \*.r effort.The ffa.r Service of Llerit Itieclal (Kriesveixiienstiedj.ille) i s bronze.I t cornea in the 3hape of the cross fastened on a round d is c . On i t sreverse side ia inscribed "liir Kriegsverdienst 1939" Thia-medal ioreserved exclusively for thoae c iv il ia ns Y.iio performed v.dth merit tasksconnected with the production of v/ar ma te ri al, such as a lainiffium of sixmonths1 aervice in a VOLT pla nt, e tc . The ribbon is the siJiie as tha/c ofthe War Service of Merit Cross, excepting tha t a narrow red s tr ip e runslengthwise in the center of the black, (p la te 11-12)

I I I THIS WOUND MDQB (Das Verwundetenabzeichen)The Wound B dge \a s rc in ati tu to d by Hit le r on 1 September 1939. I ti s similar to that of the l a s t vr~r, and cons ist s of itn ov;.l badge edgedwith a laurel v.xeath within vAiich a steel helmet reposes on tvx> crorjeedSw-ords; SL svastika. i s . auperinposed on the lielniet. This swastika i s notpresent on the Yt'ound B 'dge of 1914 for members of the Army. (Pla te I I - l j )In the var of 1914-13, members of the Kavy were ^wsirded a. distinct ioundof their ovaa. (Plate 11-14)The \7ound Badge i s awarded t o thoa e vdio heve su st ai ne d vunda o rbodi ly inj ury (freezing e t c . ) through di re ct encsny ac ti on . I t i s /.:,.rdcdi n t h e fo llow ing th ree grs.dea, r.c-oending upon t h e number, o r saveri ty of the

wounds:1 . i? i black (lowest grade) f o r tliose wounded once o r twice2# I n s i l v e r f o r those wounded JJ o r 4 times3* I n gold f o r th os e wounded inore th an 4 timesThe Wound Badge i s v/orn without a ribbon on th e lef t breact of the

bl ou se . Mul tiple wounds sus tai ned at one time count as one wound. rhisbadge i s n o t awarded f o r i l l n e s s o r ac ci de nt , even though occ urr ing at the batt le front .

Tho badge in s i lve r may be avianled, regardless of the number or thevound" to those who have lo s t a hand, a foo t, an eye, or who througn enencactôn have become totally deaf. The badge in gold rxy be av .rdea reâ-dle s s of the number of the wounds, to those who have oecome to ta l ly bl indthrough enemy action, or who have sustained OTU-a injuries rciiultii.g inineiitai il ln e ss . Civ ilian personnel employed in the construction oi -sue"7/estern Wall" are Îso eligible for the vround b^ê, if they were injuredthrough enciy ac tion. Since Ju ly 1943, i say ^lô be conTerrea upon thosenonêribera of the Vehmc.cht 7A0 have suffered in ju ri es ^ ir ou -a ci ic :r y-, c^nin the t h ^ t e r of operations, in occupied te rr it o ri e s, i iijaent", or in the "Protelctorat". (Plitto 11-15;

RC5TR1GTED


22/93

6.IV. ORDER OF THE GERMAN CROSS (Kriegsorden des Deutschen Kreuzcs)

This orde r wa.3 i n s t i t u t e d by H it le r on 28 September 1941, l a r g e l y t o br id ge t ho gap between th e Iron Cross 1s t c la ss and th e Kni^vfc'sCro33 of the I ro n Cro ss; e sp ec ia ll y in view of t he l ar ge number of theIron Crosses 1st class a.-narded.The decoration consists of a dark grey, eight-pointod star, edgedvdth si l v a r , and measuring 65 nun in diam eter. The ce nt er of the st a r i soccupied by a lar ge bla ck, silve r-ed ged sms tika . on st fi e ld of dull s i lv e rvrlthin a c ir c u la r la u re l ^vreath in si lv e r or go ld, res pec tive ly* The bottom of th e la u r e l wreath be ar s the date "1941" The German Cross i s -wornon th e rig ht b re as t m th ou t a. ribbon*I t may be av/arded:*- I11 silver (lower grades) for repeated services of exceptional meritin tho conduct of the -war.2. In gold for repeated display of extraordinary gallantry in action,or for repeated outstanding fea ts in leade rship on the b at t l e fi el d .A pre raq uis itf t fo r the award of the G-eraan Cross in ei th e r s i l v e ro r gold i s th e possessio n of the Iron Cross 1s t cl a ss , tho ba r to tho IronCross 1s t c la ss of 1914, or- th e Y/ar Serv ice of Uer it Cross 1 st c la ss withswards. (Pla.t II-16)

V. TICS HONOR-ROLL CUSP (Die Shrenblatt-Spange)H it l e r founded t h i s deco rat ion in Ljarch 1944. I t may be awardedto s o ld ie rs of a l l grad es who iiave bean ci te d in an order-of-the-d &y ( gbttfchl) , and th us en te red the "Honor Ro ll of th e German Array" (iShranblsitt desDoutschen He er es ). The cla sp cons is ts of a golden svatstika. -within a c i r c u l a roa k- le af vvreath, and i s Tsorn fa ste ned to the bl ac k- wh ite -r ed rib bon of theIron Cross of 1939; th e ribbon bein=; at tac he d to th butto nho le of the b lou se.The e l ig ib i l i ty requi rements a re :

) Possession of the Iron Cross 1st class, and,b ; ^x tra or di na iy ac ts of brav ery in combat of ii nat ure t ha t vouldor di n ar il y Ju sti fy th e avmrd of tho I^nigh t's Cross of the li o n Cro ss. Thea\vu.rd i s ret ro ac ti ve f or a l l those who have been ci te d in an ord cr -o f- th eds.y pr io r to the in s ti t u ti o n of th i s clasp-o f honor, (P lat e 11-17)VI. BRAVERY AND SERVICE OF MERIT BADGE FOR M3TEHN VOLUNTEERS (Tapferk e i t s - und Verdienstauszuiclinung ftir .AngatoSrige der Ostvttlker)

Tliis badge, founded on 14 Ju ly 1942, nay bo awarded v/ithor w ithsvjords &s a combat de co ra tion for br&very, o r m th ou t s-words as a se rv ic edoco ration for me rit ori ou s, se rv iv es . I t crab rac es the folio-wing gra des :RESTRICTED


23/93

7 .a) 2nd c la ss , i n bronze (lowest -ra de ), on a dark-greon ribbonbl 2nd c la ss , in si lv er , on a green ribbon with white edgesc^ 2nd c la s s , in gold , on a Ii2frt-green ribbon with ftiite edgesdj 1st class, in silverJ 1st class, in goldThe f i r s t three aro worn from the medal-^bar, or the ribbon alone i swarn from the buttonhole of the blouse; the l a s t two are -norn without aribbon, pinned to the b re as t.The badge with swords is awarded for bravery to those Easternvolu ntoers who par ti ci pat e in combat ope rations against the Russians underGorman command, whereas the badge without svords i s conforr&d upon thoseEastern vo lun teer s who perform spec ial s erv ices within the occupied Easternprovincos in connection with the war against "Bolshevism" .Members of the following voluntee r organizations are e li g ib le :1 Turkestan b&ttaj-ions, including Turkestan construction battalions2. Cossack units3 Crimean Tartars4* Local Security Forces (Iandtt3eigene SicherungsverbSnde), composedof volunteer local inhabitants, or discharged prisoners of warwho are "defending th o ir homos" agains t tho Russian ^rmy, thePart isans etc.5. Police Forces (Ordnungsdienste) within the zone of operations6* Volunteer lo ca l resid en ts and discharged p rison ers of war whoenro lled in t he Geim&n Army as "a ux ili ar ie s" (H ilf sw ill ige) .Since November 1942, th i s badge niay also be avarded as & commemoration

badge to those German so ld ie rs , up to b atta lion commander, who have commandedor were members of unit s composed of Eastern vo luntee rs . However, thepossession of the Iron Cross 2nd cla ss i s a prer equi site to the award of the2nd class badge in silver, while possession of the Iron Cross 1st class isrequired for el ig ib il it y for the 1st class badge in sil ve r.In ad di tion to th is deco ration , members of foreign volunteer org aniza tionsoriginating from occupied Russian territories and incorporated into the GermanArmed Forces , who display extrao rdinary bravery or render spe cial servic es,axe since March 1944 e li g ib le to rocoive the Iron Cross, o r the War Serviceof Merit Cross, r espe ct ively. The award of the Iron Crosses 1st or 2nd cla ssis predicated upon the possession of the corresponding class .of the Bravery

etc. badge in silver with swords, vjhile the "Jar Service of Merit Crosses 1stand 2nd cl ass without swords may b awarded to those who possess the corr esponding classes of the Bravery etc. badge in silver without swords.Furthermore, the se volu ntee rs >my now also rece ive, under conditionsth at apply to a l l o th er s, the Eastern Front iledal, th Wound Badge, and thevarious Assault Badges, (i ll us tr at io n -o r description not available)

RESTRICTED


24/93

8 .

B. ASSAIJIfl BADGES

I # mPAl-TPHY ASSAULT BADGS (Infant er ie-S tuxrabzeichen)Founded on 20 December 1939, t h i s badge may be awarded to o f f i c e r s ,NCOS and p r i va t e s o f r i f l e compan ies i n i n f an t ry and moun t a i n i n fa n t r yr e g i m e n t 3 , v/ho hava s ince 1 January 1940 met a l l o f th e fo l lo w ing th re erequi rementSf

Have t aken pa r t i n t h ree as s au l t ope ra t i o ns on 3 d i f f e r en t days^ Have beon in the foroaos t l i n e s3 / Have pen et r a te d th e enemy l i n e , weapon in handSucce ss fu l armed rcxconnalssanco , a s v /e l l as co un te r - a t t a ck s a rec o u nt ed a.s a s s u l t o p e r a t i o n s , p r o v i de d t h e y l a a d t o c l o s e f i g h t i n g .The badge i s s i l v e r fo r i n fa n t ry and jaount&in i n fa n t ry u n i t s , andbronze fo r mo t o r i zed i n f an t ry u n i t s . I t i s des igned i n t he form o f an ova lwreath of oak ltav


25/93

9.Since Ju ly 1943, th e Tank Assault 3&dge may be awarded in thofollowing four grades:&.) Grade 1 (o ri g in al grade) awarded af te r 3 engagementsbj Grade 2 # n 25 "cj Grs.de 3 " " 50 "d; Grade 4 . w 75 After participation in 100 or n:oro engagement3, the grade 4 badgebe reissued with tlie numerals "ICO" superimposod.Th is badge i s awarded by comntnuers of Panzer di vi sions , (p la te 111-20)

I I I . ASSAULT BADGE (GENERAL) (Sturffiabzeichon (Allgemeinec) )The assa ult Badge (General) was in s ti tu te d on 1 June 1940 for the

purpose of rewarding personnel of the branches of service that supportth e in fa nt ry and Panzer arms, and who are not el ig ib le to receive theIn fant ry Assault Badge, or the Tank Assault Badge. I t v&s originallyintended as an assault badge for engineers, but was later o:ctonded toinc lude personnel of othe r arms -who have an an ci ll ar y role in tho assaultof in fa n tr y and armored formations. The sward i s made to personnel ofthe a r ti ll e r y , engineers, antitank and an tiairc raft un its , if they help toca rry th e as su lt forward and a ss is t in achieving a break-through in th eenemy's l i n e . lledical personnel are now el ig ib le , if they attend orrescue wounded under the samo b a tt le cond itions as the assaulting infan tryin tho close-combat area.The badge i s s il ve r, and disp lays a hand-grenada c rossed with abayonet, surmounted by the Gernan eagle and swastika, the Tdiole enclosedwith in an oval -wreath of oak lea ves. I t is worn on tho lof t b re as t-pocket of the blouse.Since July 1943, t h is bad^c is issued in the same four grades as theTank Assault Badge (p ar. I I , above), and under ide nt ica l conditions . I t sre c ip ie n ts may now include monibors of assaul t-gun unit s (Sturragoscbntzeinh e it e n ) , assau lt-ta nk un its (Sturmpanzereinheiton), ancL self-pro pelled a n ti tank un i t s . The number of (mr^oiaonts (H ins^tstage) fo r both the T&JikAssault Badge and the assault Badge (General) will be computed as of 1 July1943. However, those alrs^dy possessing either of thoso badges will be

cre di ted vdth thr ee engagements for the period prio r to th i s da te. Inad di tio n, personnel of the arms el ig ib le to receive th is badge, who havesinc e 22 June 1941 had uninte rrup ted service in Russia or in Africa, w ill bogiven cr ed it for the following number of engagements:a) 25 engagements . . . for 15 months1 serviceb) 15 engagements ^ ^ u |?c) 10 engagements 6

(Plate 111-21)PJESTRICTED


26/93

1 0 .

IV. SPECIAL INSIGNIA. FOR THE SINGLE-HANDED DESTRUCTION OF TANKS ETC.(Sonderabzeichen ffcr das Niederkampfen von Panzerkampfwagen usw.durch Einzelkampfer)Founded i n March 1942, this sleeve insignia, i s awarded to so ld ie r s

who single-handed destroy o r disable a tank o r other armored vehicle i nclose-combat, resorting to close-comba t weapons on ly , such a s an t i t ankr i f l e s , rifle shells, pole charges, hand-grenades etc . One i n s ign ia i sbestowed for each tank o r other armored vehicle thus destroyed o r disabled .The decoration consists of an aluminum-colored band measuring90 x l>2 mm, with a 3 mm "wide interwoven bl ack s t r i p e b ot h a t th e top andbottom. I t i s worn as an armband on the right upper sleeve. One i n s ign iai s awarded f o r 3ach tank destroyed, and core tb.Ji one m&y be vrorn simultaneously . This decoratio n was formerly known a s rtSturmabzichon fCLr d ieSr ledigung fe in dli cher Karapfwagen" Since January 1943, this insignia may b awarded on a go ld band. Aft eraccounting for a f i f th tank o r other armored vehicle, a sold ie r wi l l , ins teadof a f i f th s i lv er ins ign ia , rece ive t h e decoration on a gold band. The foursi lver decorat ions arc then taken off, and th e gold armband alone i s worn.(Plate 111-22)

V. CLOSE-COMBAT BADGE (Nahkampfspange)In recognit ion of personal bravery displayed i n close-combat, handto-hand engagements, Hitler inaugurated this decoration on 25 November 1942.I t i s awarded t o sold iers fo r hand-to-hand combat with t h e r i f l e , p i s t o l ,hand-grenade, knife, o r other closo-combat weapon, while on foot and unsup

ported. I t i s conferred primarily upon members of the i n fan t ry , bu t o the raims are el ig ib le , providing the pre requ i s i t e s a re complied wi th . So ldi erswho alraa.dy possess th e Infantry Assault Badge, may nevertheless becomerec ip ien t s of this badge. The awird may bo made in the following three grades1st class i n bronz (lowest grade; for 15 dose-combat daystt tt n2nd class i n s i l v e r , " 30c) 3rd cl as s in gold a 50 " w

The close-combat days are computed as of 1 Decaiaber 1942. However,so ld ier s who saw uninterru pted service on the Eastern Front a ft er 22 Jun e'l94 1w il l be cr ed ite d with the following number of close-combat days: '15 close-combat days for 15 months1 uninterrupted service10 " 12 " 5 rt 8 d

The number of close-combat days required to receive the 1st 2nd, or3rd class badge, may be reduced to 10, 20, or 40, respect ive ly i n t he ' case ofseverely wounded soldiers who would otherwise have no further opportuni ty t op a r t i c i p a t e i n close-combat engagements.RESTRICTED


27/93

11.

The Close-Combat Badge is in the form of a long and nsarow metalbrooch and i s worn above the le ft brea st-pocke t. I t s square center containsa bayonet crossed with a hand-grenade and surmounted by the German eagle andswastika.; each side of th center square is ornamented with a design of raysand oak leav es , (p la te 111-23)VI. ARMY AHTIAIRCRAFf BADGE (Heores-Flak-Abzeichen)

This badge -was ori g in a ll y founded on 18 Ju ly 1941, but the provis ionsof it s award were nx>difi&d by the Army High Command on 4 September 1942.Since June 1941, i t may be awarded to off ic er s and en li st ed men of Armya n ti a ir c ra ft un it* (Heeres Fla-Truppen und Heeres-Plak-Einheiten) for repeateddis tingu ish ed par ti ci pa ti on in successful engagements aga inst enemy a ri alt a rge t s . The a.v


28/93

C CAMPAIGN DECORATIONS

I SPANISH GSOSS (Spanien-Kreuz)xThe Spanish Cross i s awarded i n bronzo , s i lve r , o r gold , and v.ithswords o r without s-words to former G


29/93

13.^ M3M2L aM2S&)IUJI0N W&Jj (Medaille zur 3rinnerung an die Keimkehr das Memellances)

This medal canmemorates the return of Manel to th Third Reichon 22 March 1939, and was instituted on 1 Ulsy 1939. I t i s in


30/93

V*.

Also e l ig ib le are members of tho Aimy who w .t to sea with, the l i^ h tf l o t i l l a on 19 12ay 1941 and vho pa rti ci pa te d in tho se a- ba ttl e ne ar th eisl an d. (Pl ate IV-32)VIII>CIICLL: SItlKLD (Cfoolmschild)

This award v/as instituted on 1 July 1942 to commemorate the defenceof the beleaguered c i ty of Cholm on th e Ea ste rn Front by the "KampfgruppeGeneralmajor Scherer" during tho p er iod 21 January 1942 and 5 May 1942,A ll members of the "V/ehrmacht" or those subordinated to i t who were pa rt oftho gar riso n and who played an honorable pa rt in the defense o f the c it y-within tho period named above, are el ig ib le for the award. The decorationi s in the form of an elongated s hi eld bear ing the German eagle clu tch ingthe Iron Cross in i t s tal on s. The lower pa rt of the shie ld i s ins cri bed"Cholm 1942". I t i s worn on the l e f t upper slee ve . The awards ar e madein the name of the Ptthrer by General Scherer, commander of the defendingfor ces. (P lat e IV-33)EC. &JST3SRNffKOIITMSBAL (O stmedaille)

This medal ma founded on 26 LSay 1942 to coinnemorate serv ic e or. th eRussian Front during the f i r s t winter campaign between 15 November 1941 and15 Apr il 1942. I t s of fi c ia l German design ation i s : "Y/interschlacht im Osten1941/42 (Ostmdaille)M I t may be awarded to of fi cers and en li s te d men whohave met one of the following prerequisites:a) Pa rti ci pa tio n in at legist 14 days ' figh ting . For Luftwaffepersonnel fli g h ts again st tho enemy on 30 dif fe rent days i srequired.b) Wounding or freezing th at re su lt ed in th e a-ward of th e WoundBadge.c) Completion of a minimum of 60 days ' uninter rupte d se rv ice onthe Eastern i'ront.Personnel of semi-military and au xi lia ry organizations ar e alsoe li g ib le , if daring the period pre scrib ed, they -were subordinated to , o rwere execu ting ta sk s d ir ec tl y on behalf of th e Wehrmacht.The ci rc ul ar medal i s stee l-g re y. On i t s face is found theinscr ip t ion MY/interschlacht im Osten 1941/42," surmountod by a whitesteel helmet covering a hand-grenade; below the inscription appears abayonet crossed with a sprig of la u re l. The reve rse side bea rs theGerman aagl and swastika with a spri g of lau re l under the l a t t e r . Theribbon is red , with a very narrow white-bl&ck-white ve rt ic a l st rip e i n th ece nt er . The medal i s worn on the le ft br ea st of the blo use, or tho ribbonalone may be viorn from the butto nh ole , (p la te V-34-45)

HESTEICTKD


31/93

15.

X. CRIMEA. SHTTIiD (Kricischild)This campaign decoration was founded on 25 Ju ly 1942 in menory ofthe b a t t l e s on tho Crimean peninsula . I t i s awardsd to a l l members of the

Armed Forces who participated in the Crimean campaign during th poriod of21 September 1941 and 4 July 1942. Gene ralfeldmarschs ll von l&nnstein hasbeen delegated "by Hi tler to di str ib ut e th is shield . The f d i v i n g conditionsgovern the arard:a) Par ti ci pat io n in a main engagement, orb . I/founding, orc) A ndnimum of 3 months* service on the peninsulaTho shield is bronze and portrays the geographical outlines of thepeninsula and the seas surrounding i t 3umounted by the natio nal insig niawithin an oak-leaf v/reath* To the le f t and ri ght of th is -wreath ar e in scr ibed

the(Platedctos "1941" and ta942w,V-j6) resp ect ive ly. I t is worn on the upper le ft sleeve .

XI. DBMJAflSK SHIKTJ) (Denganskschild)H it ler founded th i s cainpaign decoration in Apri l 1943 in. memory of tho14 month siege of the surrounded b a t t l e sec tor of Demjansk on the Eastern Frontin 1941-42. All members of t he vehrmacht y/ho played .an honorable p ar t in thesedefensive ba t t l e s , ar e el ig ib le . The or ig inal swards were made in the nameof the Fuhrer by the C O . of the defending forces, CJencral Graf Brockdorff-Alilefc ldt (dead ). I t is v. orn on the le f t upper sle eve. The sh ield containstvvo crosfifed swords, with aji a ircraf t in fl ig li t across the po ints ( in comraaraorati on of th e f act th at for 14 months the garrison had been supplied by a i r ) ;below the SYvord-hilts appear the numerals "1942", -while the inscription"Demjansk" i s slicftn abova the points . The v/hole i s cro-wned by the nat ionalinsignia behind a crenelated rampart.Russian "a uxil ia ri es" and oth ers subordinated to the ;.eh2iaacht m&y bere cip ien ts of th is decoration . (Plate V-37)

i a i IOJEAN miELD (Kubanschild)This shield was instituted hy H itler on 20 September 1943 in commemorati on of the defensive b a t t le s on tho Kuban bridgehead on the Crimean peninsu la . I t nay bo au/ai-ded to a l l x.dlitary personne l, as V,


32/93

Participation in a main engagement, orbj V/ounding, orc; A m-itn'm-im of 60 days1 uninterrupted service on the bridgeheadTho awards are made in the name of tho Ftihrer by Gonaralfeldniarschallvon K lai st. (No il lu st ra ti o n or description available)

X III. GUERnJA-WABFABE MEDAL (Bandenkampf-Abzeichen)H it le r founded t h i s badge on 30 January 1944 in r a co al it io n of thebravory displayed by mambors of tho Armed Forces i n th e i r fi ght, behind thoSastrn Front and in the mountain fastnesses of the B;dkans, against the ever-incr


33/93

17.

This armband i s issued in a dark-blue co lor for members of theLuftwaffe.An ea rl ie r p at ter n, green vdth sil ve r edging and the inscrip tion"Afrikakorps" has been recalled and superseded by the Africa Armband.(Plate V-40)

XV. GSRUoIT-IIALLUT CClS/iEMOR-fflON KEDftL (Deutsch-Italieniscbe Erinnerungsm edaille)This round bronze medal 7*as awarded to members of both the Gorman andI ta l i a n Araed Forces who pa rt ic ip ated in the joint campaigns in North Africa.Its face is adorned by a triumphal arch flanked on tha right side by aswastika, a^d or. the le ft side by the Ita li an fasces ; a true lov ers 1 knot isdisplayed below the ar ch . Tho b il in gua l inscr ip tio n "Canipagna Italo-Tedescain Africa Itali en isch -Deutsch er Peldzug in Afrika" surrounds the medal.-The ravursa side po rtrays two kni^jhts in medieval armor strugglin g with acroc od ile . The ribbon i s black-v.Mte-red-s7hite-gron, thus combining the(Jenaan md It a li a n na tion al co lo rs.A rece nt order p ro hib it s the wearing of th is medal by members of theGerman Aimed Forc es . (Pla te V-41)

RS3TRIQTSD


34/93

1 8 .

- IIAZI PASTY

I . NATIONAL SOCIALIST- 0BDS5R Off BLOOD OF 9 NOVEMBER 1923 (National- Sozialist isches Blutorden vam 9 November 1923)Thi3 medal wa.3 original ly s t ruck a t H i t l e r ' s command in 1933,was amr de d t o a l l those who took part with him in the abortive "putsch"i n IJBnchen on-8-9 November 1923# I t was l a te r g iven a wider dis t r ibut ionand w^s awarded t o many Nazi Party members who had taken part in the s t r e e t -f ight ing of the pre-1933 year s. JThe orda r i s regarded with th e highestrespect in the Party*The medal i s c i r cu l a r i n shape, and i t s faco portrays an aigle grasping a laurel wreath b y i t s talons, within which i s inscr ibed th e d.teM9 Nov." Insiiediately below t h e eagle 's beak i s found the i n sc r i p t i on"Mftnchen 1923-1933" The reverse side bears a facade of three archessurmounted by a swastika from which rays emenate, and the i n sc r i p t i on "UndIhr Habt Doch Gesiegt". The ribbon i s rd i n center with narrow white-black str ipes on e i ther s ide . I t i s worn on the r igh t breas t of the NaziPa r ty uniform, Vilhen worn on mil i tary blouses , t h e ribbon i s placed abovethe left breast pocket i n l ine with any other decoration that may have beenawarded. The ribbon alone may be worn from the second-from-top buttonhole.There a r e several ways of wearing t h i s deco ra tio n. Members of the Luftwaffemay wear the ribbon in the form of a half-cockade on the r ight breast of theflyi ng blouse, di re ct ly below t h e swastika of the nat ion al ins ig nia . ( PlateYI-42-43-4W-5)

II. INSIGNIA OF HONOR FOR THS FIRST 100,000 I/ISfelBERS (Ehrenzeichen furILtglieder unter Nummer 100 000)

This pa rty badge i s g enera lly re fe rre d to as th e "Gold Pa rty Badge" (DasGoldane Parteiabz eichen ), As i t s t i t l e implies, th is high Party decorationmay be worn only by those ch arter mesnbors of the Party whose, s e r i a l numbers arebelow 100,000 and who have belonged to the Par ty un int err up ted ly since i t sfoundation.The badge i s c ir cu la r i n shape and i s worn on the l e f t side of the blouseor c iv il ia n Jacke t. I t co ns ists of a swastika around which i s the inscr ipt ion"National-Sozialistisch DAP11, the whole surrounded by a golden vzreath ofla u re l le av es . The membership number i s found inscribed on the reve rse s id e .

(Plate VI-46)III. C03URG BADGffi (Coburger Abzeichen)

This Party badge wi-s issued t o a l l members who par t i c ipa ted in thefafiious march on Coburg i n October 1922, known a s "Deutscher Tag in Coburg".I t was the f i r s t NSDAP ex pe di tion from i t s home a t Minich (orster Vbrstossder Par te i von 2$mchen nach ITord-Bayern). Tho mooting was character ized by

RESTRICTED


35/93

19.

bloody str e e t- fi g ht in g , in which 800 S A nen suprossed the "red te rr or ".Aiaong th e p a rt ic ip a n ts were H it le r and some of his ea rly li eu te na nt s.(Plate VII-47)IV". NftEKBlilRG PARTY CONVSIITIOII &iDGB 0? 1929 (lUlrnbergor P a r te i ta gs abzeichen von 1929)

Tills gold badge -FAS founded to cornmamor&to one of t he blo odie st Part yconven tions in Nazi h is to r y , hold at Nttrriberg in 1929. ^11 pa rt ic ip an ts oft h i s meeting -were deco rat ed vdth th i s badge . I t coms in th form of a siii eldin tho center of which raposes an oagle perched atop a steel-halrnet embossedwith a swastika* The sh ie ld bea rs the following in sc ri pt io n: "Iflirnbarg 1912K1919 NSDAP - - P a rt c it a g 1929". (P la te VII-43)V. BAi3&5 OF THE SA-C0NVi5NTIQN AT B&afoSCHnlSIG- Off 1931 (libzcichen vomSA-Treffen Braunschweig 1931)

Th is s i l v e r badge ^vas st ru ck to coniineinorate the Pa rt y convention he lda t 3raunschvroig on 17-18 October 1931, whan ne arl y 100,000 SA and 3S-mn,nainly of the M2A-G-ru^pe Nord11, assembled* At t h i s convention, which followedcl os el y on the hee ls of the "Stennes pu ts ch ", -H itl er ass ured hiiaself of tholoy a l ty of th e SA. 24 new "Standartan" were; founded, and tho wi.3otor-iii" JTiadai t s f i rs t publ ic appearance.

Th badg co nsis ts of an ov al wreath of oak le av es hav ing a bovv a t thbottom. V/ithin the wreath i s found th in sc ri pt io n MSA-Trwffen 3raunschwcig17/18 Oktober 1931" The wreath i s surmounted by the na tion al in si gn ia .(Plate VTI-49)VI. GOLD I-HTL3R-Y01JTH B iDGB (Goldencs HJ-îbzeichen)

Tlîs badge of honor was founded by Baldur von Schira.cn, the "Rc-ichsjugendfuhrr" on 18 August 1934* I t was awarded to a l l tlipse Hi tler-Y outhmezriber3 of tho Part y , who could o riu s themse lves of uni nt er ru pt ed membershipin tho Pa rt y at the li is to ri ca l Scich Youth meet in s ? 2 Octobur 1932.I t i s zlso knovai z.& "HJ-Shrenzoichun" (H it ier-You th i3GGo of Honor, I t i s designed in the shape of a diamond having a gold oute r frame, and

a bl&ck sw astika in the cen te r. The designs .round the swastika aru rod andwhite. (Plate VII-50)VII . ?JA7,T P;,KTY SBRVIOS Bi'JXSES (NSDAP Dienstauszcichnunôn)

These badges wore foundod "oy Hitler in April 1939, and are averted tomomTMirs ?&o served the Par ty fa ith fu lly for at le as t 10 yea rs. There zrothree cl ass es of t h i s decoration:

RESTRICTED


36/93

20 .

a) Class 1, in gold, for 25.ye ars' service"bj Class 2, in si lv er, for 15 yoars1 servicec) Class 3, in bronzo, for 10 ye ar s' sorviceIh


37/93


38/93

22. Grades 1-4: The s h i e l d i s aluminum colored and be2.rs two crossedsvrords within a c e n t e r - s h i e l d , t h e whole surrounded hy a narrow oak-leafwreath and crowned by th e German oaglo an d swastika.. Grade 1 i s no t adornedvdth a n acorn e n d i s -this lowest gr ad e. Grade 2 h as one acorn, while grades3 and 4 have two a n d t h ree acorns , respec t ive ly . The acorns f o r a l l 4 gradesarc alucrLnum colored.

s 5-8; The shield for these grades i s also aluminum colored andof tho id en ti cal design; the oak-leaf wreath, however, i s somewhat wider.The acorns a rs also aluminum colored, and ar added in the same orde r, i . e .grade 5 no acorn , grade 6 on acorn e tc .G-rado3 9-12: Tho sh ie ld i s i den ti cal with tha t of group 5-$; i t sco lor , however, i s gold. As in the case of the two othe r groups, the add itionof an acorn denotes a higher grade award. The color of tho acorns for t h i sgroup is gold.Personnel of artillery units use miniature shells in place of theacorns.The rep lic a of a tank rep laces the crossed swords on tho sh ield forpersonnel of Panzer units.Tho Air Force issues s im ila r cords to i t s members for proficiencyin shooting. However, in place of the crossed swords and na tiona l in sign ia ,the ce nto r-sh ield contadns th* Air Force eagle and swastika. The cord i s greyblu sil k decorated with sil ver for ^rados 1-4, si lv er decorated with grey-bluefor grades 5-8, and grey-blue decorated with gold fo r grades 9-12. The acornsmatch tho color of the shiold..Air Force an ti ai rc ra ft personnel use ^.dniature sh ei la in place of acorns .(Plate DC-66-67-66-69)

I I I . LDIflxiaVITY. ADALS (Dionst&uszaichnungen)H it le r founded these longevity decora tions for the Armed Forces on16 iiarch 1936. The so medals ar tokens 01 reward fo r long and f a i th ful se rv ic e, Thsy may be a\.ardod in the following grades:a) Cl -ss 4 (lowest grade) after 4 years ' honorabl servicitn n n nb) Cliiss 3 12c) Cliiss 2 M 18 " " n0) Glass 1 " 25 " " Ho". Olcss 1 with OsJ: Leavos " 40 " M MTli*ae longevity decorations a r e vorn on a cornflov;or-blue ribbon. Thec l a s s 3 an d 4 badges a r e c i r c u l a r i n shape, t h e former l ight bronze, and thel a t t e r d u l l - o i l v o r . On t h e face o f bo t h i s found a. raised German oc.glc vdthswastikii and th o in sc ri pt io n "Treue Dian3te i n d e r Vi'chrm&cht" (FaithfulServ ices i n t ho wulirnLucnt;. T h j rev ers e b e^ rs ,rospGGtivoly t h a nuiar.'ols "12"

I53STRIGTSD


39/93

23.or "4" , surrounded by an oak-loaf wreath. , Th clas s 2 in&dal comes in theshape of a LJaltes* cr os s, i s unpolished and has bevelled edges. I t s colori s sil v er , and i t s center-piece bears the national insig nia . The class 1mdal i s l ar ge r than the la t t e r , i s of sim ilar design and has a polished sur face. I t s color i s gpld. Th


40/93

24 .A s i n t h e c a s e o f o t h e r d e c o r a t i o n s , t h e r i b b o n a l o n o m a y b \70rnf e s t a n e d t o th


41/93


42/93

26.i s accompanied by an eight-pointed silver star of rays, having a diameter of80 uri. In the center of the star r^posos tho 45-inm diameter cross of the 0rdr.This star ic worn pinned to the left breast.

2. The Service of Merit Pro as with Star i s identical with the 1st classcrosc, described below. However, i t is accompanied by a six-pointed silver3tar of rays, having a diameter of 75 innu ^s above, in the canter of the s t a rreposes tho 45-na diaiaeter cross of the Ordor. It too is -worn on the le f tbreast .

3. Thu S^rvica of I ^ r i t Cross 1st clas s has J- dixnoter of 50 mm, and i ti s worn suspended from the neck hy a 45-nnn wide ribbon.4 Tho Service of H dri t Cross 2nd cl as s i s of the> same diumoter as th atof the 2nd class, cros s, but i s worn without a ribbon pinned to tho b reas t.5 Thtat Service of LIcrit Cross 3rd c la ss has a di&iiietor of 45 nan, and i sworn susp^nd^d fror:. the bnaast on a AO-iimi wide ribbon.6. Tha Service of I lor it lu^dal i s a round s i lv er modal with a 3S-iamdiameter. I t s face bears the cross of the Ordor, while on the reve rse i sfound the in sc ri pti on "Beutsche V^rdienstmodaille" . I t i s worn suspendedfrom tho breast on 37-nu- vd.de ribbon.The iribbon for all classes of the Order is identical; rod in canter withnarrow vAiito-black-vîitc st ri pes on both si dor. (P la te XI-C5-9O)

IX. OROSS OP KDHOR OF THE WOPJiD \ikR (Ehronkreuz des V/eltkricges)Founded by Il i tlo r on 13 Ju ly 1934, th i s con3ina::ioration medal hasvb*enav*i.rdod to a l thos vdio part ic ip it tod in -cho 'ôrld ,i'ar. Thero ar e thra * typesof this dacoration:a) "FrontkAmpfarkrauz" for those v,Aio fought in th* fron t linoob^ "KriQ^steilndhraorkreuz" for tlioso vîo served behind the frontKrictgshintcrbliebonenkreuz" for th e next of kin of tho fa ll enAl l throo arc of the sarao design, i . o . in the shape of a cross with, acircular oak-loaf wreath in th center, within which is found the inscription"1914-191S". The "Frontkampferkreuz" i s adorned with tvjo crossed swords.All th re e crosses are worn suspended from a ribbon on the l e f t braas t. The

ribbon for the "JProntkaiapferkreuz" and th e "Kriegsteilnehnierkrouz11

is red incen ter with stripe s of black-white-black on both sids s. That of the"Kriegshinterbliebensnkr-wuz11 i s rd in center with st ri pe s of vfoite-blackwiiite on e it he r 3ida. The color of the f i r s t two i s bronze, while th at ofth ir d i s black, (p lat e XI-91-92)

RESTKIGT3D


43/93

27.

X. STORES BAfl&JSS OF HONOR (Sportehrenzeichen)There are a gr&at number, of i ns ignia of dis ti nction th at may be awardedfor excellence in the fi e ld of sp or ts . Some of the best-known of these arelisted below.1 S^.-ILlitary Bad^e (iil-wehrabzaichen)I t m s formerly col led the "Sa.-SportabzeichenM (^-Sports ilt-d&l).This sp ort s badge i s awarded to menibtars of th e S i (sturm abteilung; for accomplishments in sp or t3 . I t aiay be awarded in bronze, s il ve r, or gold.

badge in bronze i s awarded to those who have passed the prescribedpro ficie ncy t e s t s . The 3ilve r badge is el ig ib le to those -who success ful lypassed th


44/93

23.of tha German Olympia Badge of Honor, while on the r.v ers e is- found thein sc rip tio n "Fur, verd icnstvollo L ita rb ei t bc i don Olympischen Spiclcn 193b".(Plato XII-95-96)

Irlotor Sports 3^Jgo (Deutsches ZIotorsportabzeichen)This badge i s als o knomi as the "NSKK-Sportabzcichcn". I t was foundedby H it ler in February 1938 and i s e l ig ib le to monibers of th s IISKK and the DKK(Deutsches Kraftfahrkorps) for accomplislments in tne fi e ld of sp or ts. I tconsists of a. large sv.actika enclosed within a round -wreath of oak IUA.VUC.A la rge G-jmar. eagle clu tch ing a. rjotor car tyre is superinposod on thesvas tika . (pl ate XII-90)Ciiiur v/oll-knovai aports badges arc:Gronaan Iiorser::an's Bad&e (jjeutschec Reiterabaeichcn) (Pla te 211-99)Kitlcr-Youth Profic iency Badge (lU-Lcistungsabzeichen) (pls.tc XIII-100)Gk?ir.gJi-youth- Proiicien cy Badgo (DJ-Leiatungsabzaichen) (Pla te XIII-101)Hitler-Youth Leader Sports B^dgc (lIJ-Iltthrersports^.bz(i;ichon) (Plate XIII-102)G-ciT:ian-Girls~SociQty Proficiency Badge (BDii-Leictungaabzcichcn)(Plate XIII-103)Ili tl^r-Y ou th Badge for oharpshooters (iU-3chiwssauszQichnung furScharfschtitzon (Plate XIII-104;Ilitlar-Youth Duiugt; for Riflemen (lU-Schiosssausiioichnung fur Schutzen)(Plato XIII-105)The tiports badges li s t e d 'below aro l oss proininent and ar e not i l l u s tr a ted , ihc ori gin al Gcr.' ai dt?3ig:u'.tions ore givon only.Reichs jugc-ndsportab sfeiclicnJungfliGgerLportabzcichenDout ache s ggiixerab z c ichonD@utsche3 JugendrcitabzeichenOnly t\vo s ports medals iaay be v.orn at one


45/93

29 .

IABOR SERVICE BADGES OF M3RIT (RAD~Dienstauszeichnungen)These badges are issued to members of the Reich Labor Service (Rc;ichaar be its di en ct ) in recognition of years of honorable servic e. They are issuedin the follovdng four grades:a) 1st cl a ss , in gold, for 25 ye ar s' serviceh\ 2nd cl as s, in sil ve r, for 18 years1 servicec) 3rd cl as s, in si lv er , for 12 ye ars ' serviced) 4t h c la ss , in bronze, i'or 4- ye&rs1 serviceAll cl a sses arc of the sijone ov al design. On the face i s shown the sp ec ia linsig nia, ôf th e RrJ), v/hile on tho ravc rse i s found tho in sc ri pt io n "Ftir t reueDien ste im Re ich sarb eits dien st ' ' . Female medbers arc also el ig ib le to r e ceivo tho se badges, Hov/evcr, a lu rg e s-wsi.stika rep laces th spade on th e faceof th o modal. (P la te XHI-10 6-107-106)In a dd it io n , th er e is. th* Labor Service Badge of Honor of 1932(iilhrsnzeichen der iingohorigen des NSAD von 1932) issued to the o rig ina l members of the' IISAD (Nazi Labor Serv ice) in 1932, th pred ecessor of t he presentRAD. (Plat* XIV-109)

XII. POLICE SSKVICE 3.1DG-3S OF I.3R33? (Polizei-Dienstauszeichnungen)!3?he3 bedges ATQ av&rded to members of the p ol ice for long andhonorable service* They axe issued in the follofdng thro e grade s:

1st c l a s s , in * )ld , for 25 yvt&ra1 sarvico2nd cl a ss , in -Alver, for lo yâ rs 1 sei*vico3rd cl as s, in sil ve r, for 8 yea rs ' serviceTho 1st s.nd 2nd class "badges are in the design of a cross, in the centerof which is superimposed the police insignia (the national insignia 7/ithin anoval "ftxeath of loak leavos); inc. reverse boars the inscription "Fur treuoDien ste in der p o li z e i" . The 3rd cl as s badge i s a ci rc ul ar modal, having thopo lice in si gni a embossed on i t s f--oo, wfcdl* th e in sc ri pt io n on tho reve rse i sid en ti ca l. (Pla te XIV-HO-1H-112;

X III . CUSTOLX. SSRVICE BaDGgj Og BDNOR (aollfi^ênscIiuta-iJhrccizeichen)Th is deco rat ion i s awarded to per3onnol of the border customs serv ice(R eich szo llgr enz sch utz dic nst ). I t was founded by H it le r in February 1939.Th is bad ge, awarded for fa it h fu l s


46/93

30. XIV. FIKRMRK'S BADCaa OF HONOR (Fouerwhr-Ehrenzichan)

The Fircsman's Badge of Honor, awarded to firemen fo r long and honorableservico, was founded by Hit ler in January 1938* I t ' i s is cued in the followingtyro grades: a) 1st c lass , in gold, b) 2nd c l a s s , in s i l v e r .The badge is in the form of a cross m t h flame designs adorning a l l four aims.A swastika, reposes in the center of the cross . The ci rcular inscr ip t ion onthe face of the badge reads: "Fur Verdiensto ini FouerlBcchv/esen11. (Plate XIV-114)XV. MINERS' i&DSE OF HONOR (Grubenwahr-Ehrenseichen)

Founded simultaneously m t h t h e Firemen's Badge of Honor (ab ove ), t h i saward i s giv~n t o miners f o r long and f a i t h fu l s e rv i ce . I t i s a round s i lvermodal. I t s face i s adorned vdth tw o crossed short-handled picks, upon vjhichi s superimposed t h e na t i ona l i n s i gn i a . On th e re-verse side i s found t h ei n s c r i p t i o n "Fur Verdiensto im Grubenwesen" within an oak-leaf v/reath.(Plate XIV-115-116)XVI. FAITHFUL SERVICE MflPATfl (Treudienst-Shrenzeiclien)

bounded b;/ H it le r in January 1933, theco jnedals are a.\irded for longya&rs of fa ith ful serv ice to c iv il ia ns in the niploy of the public se rvi ce s,and in some cases, in priva te indus try. el ig ib le arc': o ff ic ia ls , employeesand laborers, v/ho have co;;:jloted 25 or AC years* of faithfu l serv ice.SuployoGs of pr ivate concerns arc als o e ligi bl e a ft e r 50 ye ar s' se rv ice.Tho 2nd cla ss badge i s awarded aft er 25 ye ars1 service, while 40 years*service is required for the 1s t cl^cs badge. Sir^ployees of private concernsreceive a spec ial cl as s of th is medal afte r 50 years * of service.The Fai th fu l Service ilecbil comes in the fo m of a cross that has ini ts center a swastika surrounded by a large wreath of oak-leaves. Thespecial class of tliis badge has the numerals "50n superimposed a t tho top.On the rovers of the badges i s found the inscript ion "Fur treue Dienste".The color of the 2nd class iaed&l i s silver, "whila that of the f i r s t c l ass i sgold. A ll classes a.vs v.orn on the l e f t b reas t suspended from a cornflowerblua ribbon. (Plato XV-H7-H3-119)

XVII. GEKLAN 3TaiT3DIaL FRIZB FOR .Jffi ;j-i!D SCIBLICE (Poutseller Nationalp re i s fur Kunst und 'Jisaenscliaft)Tliis elaborate decoration v/as founded en 30 January 1937 as a German

national medal of honor for the raward of accomplishmtisnts in the f i e ld ofa r t and science. I t i s knom as tho German "Nobel prize". The decorationmay be awardod with a s t a r , to be worn on tho breast , or with a shouldcrriboon and rosette (Schulterband mit Ro se tte) . This ribbon has a. broad contwre t r i p e , edged with narrow strip


47/93

31.for accomplishments in the field of research in chemistry, biology,medicine, te chnic al improvera


48/93

32.

OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

I . ISDALS OF THS PKcXjQRJiD telR X>HD ViPRLD ViaR PLKIOD1. Blucher Star (Blucherstern)This dec ora tion , a sp ec ia l fom of the Iron Gross, was als o founded in1813. I t v/as ^.mrded wi th the Great Cross of the Iron Cr oss. This high es tof decorations consists of a star of goldon rays, in the center of which reposes th e Iro n Cross, The yea r l ll813" or "191V1, resp ectiv ely, is inscrib eda t tho bottom of tho c ro ss. Since i t s foundation , i t bus boun awarded onlytw ice . Prince 3lticht;r received i t f i r s t in 1C15 for hi s vict ory at 3 e ll e .d ll ia nc e. I t s second hold er i s FielcLnarshal von Hindonburg for hi s accompli sh men ts during the World w^r. I t i s Yirorn v/ithout a ribbon fas tened to theb re a s t. (P la te XVT-125)2. R>ur Lo MeriteThis decoration is older than the Iron Cross, having bean institutedin 1740 ^oy Frederick the Great. Or igin ally i t was e li gi bl e not only tosold iers for bravery on tho ba tt le fi el d, but also to statesmen, sc ie nt is ts ,e t c . for acconplishmants not connected with vox. In January 1810, King Fr ie d-ri ch mfilhelm decreed tha t t he award of t h i s decora tion bo confined to so ld ie rsonly for acts of extraord inary bravery on the b at tl e fi e ld . Only off ice rs wereel ig ib le to receive i t . There are four grades of th i s decoratio n:aj Pour L Mer ite (lov/ect grade)b) Pour Le - ^ r i t * with Oak Leavesc) G-r'Sat Crossd) Great Cross with Oak LoavesThe Pour Le &er it e (lowest grade) i s worn fc.stonod to t h b reas t v.lthouta ri bo on . Tho Pour Le Merit wi th Oak Loaves i s suspended from the nock by abroad wh ito- bla ck- wh ite ribbon having very narrow edg es . The ot he r two gradeiia re a ls o suspended from the neck , and ar accouipanied by a fo ur -p ointod GoldonSt a r , worn on th e b r e a s t . The po sse ss ion of a lowsr grade of th e or de r waspre r equ i s i t e to th e award of the next high er gra de . The Great Cross and St arwere not avardad du ri ng the war of 1914-18. However, th e &Y/a.rds of th


49/93

33.

i s white with thre e ve rt ic a l black s tr ip es . The order h~s four clas ses andthe awards were made with o r -without svvords. I t has soldo:,; be on awarded inpeacetime. During the Y*orld sVar i t was bestowed for repeated acts of va lorin faca of the enemy to tliose already possessed the Iron Gross 1st c la s s .The number of awards in t h i s var to ta ll ed 8291. (p la te XVI-128)4 . Order of the Grown (Kron-jtfiorden)This i s xlso a Prussian orde r and was founded in 1861 by King Wilhelm I .in conmemoration of hi s co ronation. Th


50/93

34.8. Cross of Merit fo r Aid in tlio War Effo rt (Verd ienstkrsuz furKriogshilfe)This Pruss ian badge i s also ref err ed to as thw "Preussisches H il fs dienatkreiiz11 $ie decoration is considered as the Iron Cross of the home front,and was awarded during the World War to men and women who dis tinguished them

selv es "by t h e i r war eff ort s a t home. I t s an ei^ ht- po int cd cross with aci rc ul ar cen ter-pi ece shov.ing the insc rip tio n n\JBP, surmounted by the Prussiancrown. I t i s worn on a. ribbon of six s t r ip e s of black and "white, (P la to 1CVT-133)

I I - DHX)RrIClOITS 0? THJ BALTIC JtfXD SILESIAN CAHPAIC3IS 0? 1919/20Of the many decorations created in these campaigns, only three rotcwivedo f f ic ia l sanction of th e Reich government and only these arc permitted to beworn** Bal tic Cross ( 3s.lt enkreua)This cross was founded in the spring of 1919 in recognition of the bxnvcrydisplayed by meaibars of the "Frcikorps" volun teers figh ting aga ins t t he "bolshevik s"in the B alt ic campaign of 1919-20. This decorat ion was iss ued in on


51/93

5%INDIVIDUAL STATE DECORATIONS

a d d i t i o n t 0 t h c Prussian State decorations which during the rar ofwere fo r t he f i r s t t ime warde d t o oth ers than Pru ssi ans , t h e otherS t a t e s and Free Cities comprising t h e Reich issued a great var ie ty of badgesfor vsdbr and se rv ic e. Those l i s t e d below were of fi ci al ly recognized by t h eBeich Government and a re permit ted to be vcrn. They a re frequently SCOT, onthc drccs uniforms of t he prasent-d&y Gorman soldiers.

1 . PRUSSIA.!Fho most prominent of Prussian State medals have already boon di3cussjedabove ( P - I - l - 8 , pages 32 -3 4) . Ilontion must als o b mad of the following:a) Centennial Medal (Centenarm cdaille) (p la te XVlI-137)b) Prussian llilitary Service Badges (Preu3sische Diensuauszcichnungen)

These m ilit ar y service badges are issued in three cla sse s. Ifhv cla.se> 1 badgei s i n the form of a cro ss v/ith the crotai of Pruss ia in i t s centre* Thc reversebe.-j.rs th e Roman numerals "XV", denoting fi fte en years1 serv ice. The cla ss 2and 3 badges ar e ci rc u la r in shape vdtli the Prussia n crown in th e centor surrounded\>y th e insc ri p ti on "Trou Dienste bei dor F&hne". The reverse bears the Romannumerals "XII" or "IX", resp ec tiv ely. (P late XVH-138-1W.)c) Prussian Ililitia Badge (Preussische Landwehra.uszaiciinung) (Plate XVII-142)

2 .a) IJxLitary Order of St. Keinrich (Militar-St.-Heinrichs-Orden}

(Plate XVIII-li{-3sa45)b) Commander's Cross (Koniaandeurkreuz) ( p la te XVIII-lVf)c) Fr ie dr ic h August Medal (Fri edr ich-^ugust-M*dail le) (P la to XVIII-lif6)d) Bravery Madal of Sascny (Sichsisclie Tap ferke itscie daille )(Not i l lustrated)

3. BAVARIA.a ) Military Order &ax Joseph (Militai^-Kiax-Josoph-Orden)(Plat Xrai-147)b) Mi lita ry Medical Order (ja lit lr- Sa nit ats -O rd on)

(Plate X Uc ) Bravery Msdal i n Gold and Silver (Goldene und Silbeme TapferkVitsmedaille. (Plate XVIII-149-150)

STEICTLD


52/93

d) Military Service Badges (BayerischG Dienstauszeichnungen)(Plate XVIII-151-XIX-152)

4. fla) Llilifcary Service of llerit Cross (Militar-Verdienstkrcuz)(Plate XIX-153)b) M il it ar y Service of M erit Medal in Gold (Golden M il it a r-Verdi en stn cd ai llo ) (Plato XIX-154)c) Military Service Bs.agos (Y/urttembrgische DionstauszoichnungenjIssued in throe c la ss es. The cl as s 1 badgo comes in the shape of acro ss ivith a. center o ak- leaf containing the crotm of YiUrttenibarg.The reverse has the Roman nuir.cra.1 "ZCV", indics.ting 15 years 1 service.The class 2 and 3 b.?dges are id en ti ca l in o^sign: ci rc u la r medals withthe croivn in center surrounded bj SJI oak-lea f Yoreath. The reversesidas bear the Hocian nuziorals :iXII" or "IX", respectively.(P la te XIX 155-156-157-158)

5.a) J,jJ.itar5r Order of Ilerit Karl Fr iad ric h (lailitar-Karl-Priedz-ich-Verdienstorden) (Plawe XIX-159)b) SorvicQ of Merit Medal (Badische Verdienstinedaillo)(Plate xrc-i6o;Q^ I^qlitary 3orvice Badges (Badische Dienstauszeichnungen)(Plate XX-161-162-163-l6i0

6. OTHSBSa) Hossen bravery Medal (Hessische Tapferkeitsmedaille)(Plate XX-165;b) Mecklenburg-Schwerin Service of Merit Cross (MecklenburgSchwerin-Verdienstkrouz) (Plate XX-166)c) Lippe-Detmold Service of &erit Cross (Lippe-Detaold-Verdienstkreuz) (Plate XX-167)d) Braunschweig Service of Merit Cross (BraunschT/eigischos-Verdicnstkreuz) (Plate XX-168)

IGSTHICTED


53/93

37

) Oldonburg Pr ie dr ic h August Cross (01denburgr-F:riedrich-August-Krouz) (Plate XX-169)f) Sacfosgn-Anhalt Service of Merit Cross (S^chsen-Anhalt-Vordienst-Kreuz) (Plate XX-17O)g) Harlburg Ilansa. Cross (Hamburger-Eanseaten-Krcuz) (P la to XXI-171)h) Bremen Hansa Cross (^remer-Hanseatcn-Krouz) (p la te XXI-172)i ) LUbeck Hainsa Crosa (Lubecker-Hansaaten-Kreuz) (p la te XXI-173)The Hamburg, 3romen, and Lttbcck Hansa Crosses wore founded in 1915by the sena tes of the th ree lianas, c i t i e s , and -were awarded to of fic er s andenli s te d men a li ke fo r merito rious v.r service* They aro in the shapv* ofa cros3 of rod colo r v/ith si lv er edges. The ci rc ul ar center-p iece enclosesthe emblem of the re sp ec tiv e city* They arc vrorn on tho le f t b reas t suspended by a ribbon* The Bremen ribbon has eight rud-viiito s t r ip e s ; thoHamburg ribbon i s rd-vfai t-red, vjhile the Uibeck ribbon i s rd-viite#

7. AUSTRIAa) Military Order Maria Thcrcsia (Llilitar-L-irion-Thcresi^n-Grden)This order was founded in 1757, and is the quivalent of the Prussian"Pour-Le-Herite" I t was awarded very sparing ly and only of fic er s v/oresli gib le* I t is an sight-pointed white cross with the circ ular in scrip tionin i t s cen ter reading "F or ti tu di ni ". The order embraews thrco cl as s s.A ll c la sse s are ^vorn on a red-vd iite-rad ribbon* (P lat* XXI-174)b) Bravery Medal (Tap fcrkait sned ail le) (P lat e XXI-175)c) Cormafliaoration Medal (Srinnorungsmodaille) (P la to XXI-176)d) Military Servica of Marit Cross (Militar-Verdienst-Krouz)

(Plate XXl-177;e) Aus tr ian Wound Badge (Oesterreichischoa-Vorwuiidotenabzeichen)

(Plat* XXI-17B;f) "Karl" Military Service of Merit MedalVe rdienst-l lcd iille ) (P la te XXI-179J

Franz Joseph Bravery &odal (Fr anz -Jo sep h-T apf erk eits ( P l a t e XXII-lOO)

ESSTRICTED


54/93


55/93

3 9 .G. SPECIAL AIR FORCE DECORATIONS

I n a d d i t i o n to the d e c o r a t i o n s , l i s t e d a b o v e , a v a i l a b l e to thep e r s o n n e l o f a l l t h r o e s e r v i c e s , t h e r e are a number of badges of honor t ha ta r e r e s e r v e d e x c l u s i v e l y for members of the German A ir F o r c e . The c o s tproriiinont of t h e s a are l i s t e d and d e s c ri b e d b el ow . I l l u s t r a t i o n s a ref u r n i s h e d , v z h e r e v e r a v a i l a b l e ,I - YAR-ffLICHCS BAR GROUP OF DJJOORAIIOIIS ( Fro nt f lug-Spa ngan)

Thas a r e elongated metal badges awarded to f inding personnel off i gh t e r , bomber , r econna i s sance and t ranspor t a j . rcra . f t for s u c c e s s f u lf l i g h t s a g a i n s t the enemy. They may be g r a n t e d in the fo l l owi ng t h reeg r a d e s :a^ In b r o n z e ( l o w e s t g r a d e ) , for 20 or iuor* f l igh t sb j In s i l v r , for 60 or m o r e f l i g h t sc) In g o l d , fo r 110 o r m o r e f l i g h t sA l l f l i g h t s must have been under t aken aga i n s t tho enemy, anda t l e a s t 30 k i l o m e t e r s b e h i n d tho enemy l i nes . The lower grade ba r i sd i sca rded upon the r e c e i p t of the next h ig he r grade. Thoso ba rs a re \x>rnabovo the l e f t b r e a s t - p o c k e t *The v u i o u s for.-is of V a r - F l i g h t s B a r s a re presen t ed be l ow,1. V&r-Flights 3aLr for Fig ht or Poraonnol (Front f lugspange fur Ji lgor)Founded ^oy Gflring on 30 January 194-1, t h i s bar i s a m r d e d top e r s o n n e l of f i g h t e r , i n t e r c e p t o r arid p u r s u i t a i r c r a f t . I t c o n s i s t s ofa mass ivo meta l oak- leaf b a r , c o n t a i n i n g i n c e n t o r a l a u r e l w r e a t h w i t h i nwhi ch reposes a barbed ar row f lanked on jccl i s ide by a vdng; oanoath thar row i s a sva-Gtika, The arrow rerAsdna s i lver i n a l l t h r e e g r a d e s .(P la t XXIII -167)2# ,7ar-Flight Bar for Boirboir Personnel (Frontflugspange furICampfflieger}Founded at the oarao time, th is bar may be awarded to personnel ofboniber and div-bomber a ircraft . I t i s ide nt ical in design with the baite r figher personnel, excepting tha t i t s center holds th repl ica of a bomb

in place of the arrow, th is bomb poin ts down and h^s a t a i l and -wingsattached; underneath the bomb i s a swastika. As in the case of tho bar forfigh te rs , tho bomb in center ranains sil ve r in a ll three grades.(Plate :OIII-188)

RESTRICTED


56/93

40.3m ftar-Fli^its Bar for KgconnsLiasance Psrsonnol (Frontflugspangeftir )This "bar >ms also in s ti tu te d on 30 January 1941 as a token ofdi st inct ion for personnel of reconnaissance, a ir-s ea rescue and meteorologica l a ir c ra ft . I t i s , too* a massive oak-leaf ba r, sim ilar in design

to the othe r two, However, i t contains in center the head of an eagle,with a swastika immediately tleneath i t . This eaglts-head remains in s i l ver in a l l three grades. (Pla to XXIII-109)4. War-Flights Bar for Transport Parsonnel (Frontflugspange ftlrTransportfliegor;This bar YUS inaugurated hy Goring on 19 November 1941, and i savjard^d to personnel of transport and troop-carrying transpo rt a i rc ra f t.I t i s sim ilar in design to the othe rs, but contains in i t s center th German Air Force aagle gra3ping a swastika by i t s t a lo ns . Tho aasgl ands;mstika remain silvar in all throe grades. (Plato XXI1I-190)5. W&r-Fliglita Bar for Night-Fighter Poraonnol (Frontflugspangcfur Nachtjager)There is a special \/ar-Flights Bar for Kigiht-Fighter Personnel,aTsarded under the ide nt ical condi tions as th badge for f ig hter personnel. I t i s of the same pat torn, excepting tha t tho la ure l wreath ;aurroundiiig the centor-piece is black -lacquerod. The arrow points up inthe night fighter badge, and dorai in the bar for long-distance night-figh ter personnel (Fomnacht jag er) . (No ill u s tr a ti o n presented)In the cas of a l l of the above ba rs , f li gh ts of over four hours

duration count as two fl ig h ts . All bars have the folloidng id en tic aldimensions:Overall-length of bar 75 nunDiameter of la ure l Weath 25 ramvddth of oak-leaf branchos 13 rain6. Pendgjit to V.'ar-Fliglits Bars in Gold (^iihangur zur goldentmF ron t f lugspangi;Goring created th is high Luftv/affe decoration on 26 June 1942in recognition of especially distinguished feats in ooriiiection withfligh ts against the cnesny. I t nay be av/axded to :a) Personnel of fig hto r ^transpo rt ai rc ra ft for more than 500 fl ig h tsb) Per3omiel of dive-bomber, pursuitand into rcep ter a ir c ra ft . for more than L&O f l ights

RESTRICTED


57/93

c) Personnel of bomber, sea-airand meterological ai rc ra ft .

rescuefor noro thin 300 flights

d) Personnel of reconnaissance anight-fighter aircraft

ndformer* than 250 flights

The pendant consists of & 12-nm csnter-atar, adorned on both a i swith threo laurel leaves. The greatest width of the laurel leaves ia 8 mci,while the ova rai l-l en gth of the pendant i s about 35 mru This pendant mayonly be amrdad to the possessors of one of th e War-i'lights 3~rs in Gold.I t i a suspended from th e bottom of the War-Flights Bar in Gold.(Plato XXIII-191)

I I - &ROTJND-COMBAT BADGE OF THE AIR FORCE (Srdkaapfabzoichen derLuftwaffe)This badge was founded by Goring on 31 March 1S42. ^JLl inembars ofthe Luftwaffe who distinguished themselves in ground combats .ure e l ig ib le .I t i s awarded to individual*only for part icipation in the for-~iaost linosof ground-combat operations on at le ast th ree di ffe rent daya. Combat ope ra t ions arc defined as storm-assaults (Sturmangriffo), and close-combat fighting ~oy either infantry or a r t i l l e r y weapons. Counter atta cks and reconnaissance i n fores are considered storm-assaults, provided they le&.d to closcconib&t. Personnel of heavy infantry-weapons and artillery weapons a re e l i gible 9 i f they support the attacking ground troops, cmd tharwby make the pene tr at io n pos sibl e. Combat against ae ri a l tar ge ts do not e n t i t l e the membersof the Luftvaffe ground troo ps to this decoration. The A ir Force .Antiaircraft Badg (s3 below) has been created for this purpose. . The more prt-sence

in successful ground-combat operations does not e&rn. for a Luftwiffc soldirth e Ground-Combat Badge. H must par ti c ip a te d ir ect ly in a. storm-assault orhand-to-h&nd combat. Commanding officers of units will not be invested withthis medal by tho mor display of excellence in troop- loa dcrohip, They musta l so fu l f i l l th e prerequisites prsscribod for others .The badge i s in the shape of an oval o&k-leitf wreath, within which i sportrayed a flash of lightning descending from dark clouds and s t r ik ing theground below. The Luftwaffe eagle clu tch ing a sv.^stika appears a t t he topof the wreath xunongst- the clouds. The color of the eagle,swastika andwreath i s bright-s i lver , whi le the clou&a, the flash of l ightning and the*mound itx finished i n d u l l - s i l v e r . Tho bs.dge as official ly issued is of

metal. However, the rec ipients ::iay procure them in embroidery, at the i rown expense; officers in embroider:,7" cf metal threads, enlisted man in embroidery of VJOOI yarn. The badge has the following dimensions: v.ldth endlength of oval Y.Tsr.th 42 siaa. and 5b nsn, respectively; wing-apread of eagle 40 ram.

RESTRICTED


58/93

42.

I t may al so b e -worn i n a miniature form. I n a l l f o m s , i t i s worn o n t h elo ft br ea at . (P la te XXIII-192)H I SALTOt OF HONOR FOR DISTINGUISHED COMBAT ACOOMPLISKMEWTS(Ehronsch&l flir liorvorragcnd Kiunpflcistungon)

Founded by Goring on 15 Juris 1942, this high decoration na y bo awarded t o thoso members of t he Luftwaffe ground tr oo ps who have es pe ci al ly d i s t inguiahed themselves by th e disp lay of ex tra or din ary bravery* v/hich f e a ts ,howevGr, would n o t ent i t le them t o t h German Cross i n Gold. Those r a c coromendad f o r this honor must already possess t h e Iron Gross 1 s t cl&su andthe Ground-Combat Badgo o f t h e A i r Force . Up to th e presen t , severa lo f f i c e r s and enlisted men of ptjrachuta and an ti ai rc ra ft un it s have receivedthis bridge, Tha names of those invested with this decoration a r e entordin th


59/93

43. b) For having taken pa rt in thre e d iff er en t engagements ag ain stground or se a- ta rg et s undor d if fi cu lt circumstances, such asthe destruction of tanks, bunkora, ships, oto.c) For exc eptio nally out st rid in g deeds "by indiv iduals or c r w s ,

th e badge nay bo ay.-arded rega rd le ss of tlie number of combats.Example: Tht crew of u. huivy antiaircraft battery vdll becomee l i g i b l e sd'to r having shot down throe enemy planes and having takom par tin two engagements against gi^und or aesi-targets.Th is in signia , i s Tsorn on the l e f t b re a s t, and may ba vrorn in aiTniature form. (P la te XXIII-1S4,

V. OTHER AIR FORGE DEG0flAT3PII3Th follovvdng are oth ^r viell-knovm. G-eraruin Air Force deco ra ti ons:1 Cup of Honor for Spoc ial ^ccoiiiplialiments in Air tfexfara^Shrenpokal fur bosond


60/93

H. SPECIAL NAVY DECORATIONS

The Gorman Navy al so is su es s pe ci al badges of i t s owi to i t s pe rs on ne l.These a re i n ad di ti on to th os e t h a t arc a v ai l ab l e to mearibtfrs of th e t hr cobra nch es of the Aimed Fo rc es , Those sp ec ia l badges ar e pre sen te d below:

1. Submarine Ser vic e Badge (u-Boots-KriegSiibztfichen 1939)This badge i s awarded to all of fi ce r s, pe tt y of fi ce rs and men of submar ines -who have di st in gu is he d them selve s ~oy tvo or inore so rt io s aga inatth enemy. I t co ns is ts of a submarine wi th in aa. ova l s i l v e r wroath ofl a u r e l surmounted by a la rg e German eagle cl ut ch in g a sm s t i k a . (pls.t XXIV-1952 . Des tro yer Ser vic e Badge (ZorstOror- Kidegsabzji ichen}I n s t i t u t e d o r i g i n a l l y fo r cre^ra of d es tr oy er s who undor coLiLi&nd of

Cor.anodore Bontc took pa rt in th e b a t t l a at Nar vik . I t i s al so awarded forsp ec ia l achievements to members of oth er de st ro ye rs , torpedo boa ts and 3 bo at s , Th badge co ns is ts of the forep art of a. de str oy er advancing a t 3peod,surrounded by an oval v/roath of oak-leaves and surmounted by a smalloag le and sw ast ik a. (P la te JQOV-196)3 . Llinesweeper and Ss co rt Craf t Sar vic e Badge (Krieg sab zci chen fd rLlinensuch-, U-Boots-, Jagd- und Sicherungsverblnde}

to cre\ra of minss^veepers, subrja rine-ch ^sers and ot he r p ro te c ti v e ves se ls ac a re co gn it io n of good se rv ic e. Ths badge shows a ni ne exploding -within an oval wreath of oak-leaves surmounted by the German eagleand sYmntika. (P la to SOV-197)4 . Armed llorchant Cr ui se r Servic e Badge (Krieg sabzeic hen fiir K i l f s kreuzer)Th is badge i s awarded to crev/3 of armed merchant c r u i s e r s engaged i n th eha ra ss in g of enemy merchant sh ip pin g. The badge shov/s a Viking sh ip s a i l i n gove r th e top of the v*>rld glob e, v/ ithi n an ov al wrea th of oak -l ea ve s suimountedby th e Gorman ea gl e and s m s t i k a . ( p l a t e JQOT-198)f;. Fl ee t Service Badge ( Flotte n-Kri cgsab zeich en)This i s awarded to crews of ba tt le sh ip s, cr ui se rs and oth er un it s o per a t i n g with th e fl ef it , for whom th er e is no s p e ci fi c v/ar-badgo. I t shows ab a t t l e s h i p , bov/s-on, enc irc led by an oval wreath of oak -le ave s, surmounted byth e Gorman ea gl e and swas tika* ( p l a t e XXIV-199)

RESTRICTED


61/93

45.

6. PI-Boat (E-Boat^ Service Bxdffi (Schne llboo t-KriegsaJb ZQ ichan JThis "badge is amrded to craws of U-boats in recognition of good

s e r v ic e I t co ns is ts of the foreparts of an E-boat s.dv&ncing at speed,encircle d by an oak-loaf \ircath and crov/nod by the Genaan eagle andsw astika. (P la te XXIV-200)7. Blockade Runners Badge (Abzeichan ftir Block&debrecher)3iis titu td 1 Apr il 1941, for craws of ship s at sea and in forignports a t the outbreak of thu m r , which have. mana.gcd to reach G-srcianports or ha.ve scuttled thaiasolves or ben sunk in avoiding capture byentsn^- naval force s, Th ba.dg depicts th e forepart of a. l^rg e li n eradvancing, hGr figure-head b&ing a gigantic ca^le v/ith outstrotchc-dwings and clu tch ing the swastilca. Tht; v/holo i s enc irc led by an anclior

ohain . "(Plat XXBT-201)8. IfovaJL Coast Ar t i l le ry Badga (Kriegsabzuichen ftir jMwxinoartillcrie)This badge i s avjardad to crews of coast a r t i l l e r y ba tt er ie s for3uccc3sl\il an ti a ir c ra ft dofensc. It is a repre senta tion of a gun em-placed on the bt^ch vdth the b ar re l po inting up to th loft at kd degrees.The v/Iiolc i s se t in an oval wreath of oak leaves and surmounted by th G-ermanea&Lo and s vafltilML. (Plate XXIV-2C2)

RESTRICTED


62/93

46.I . CERTIFICATES OF AWARD

A s a l r e a d y s t a t e d , th e r e c i p i e n t o f a medal i s always g iven a c e r t i f i c a t e o f aw ard ( S e z i t z z c u g n i s j , a t t e s t i n g t o h i s r i g h t f u l o v n a e r s h i p .T h i s c e r t i f i c a t e c o n t a i n s th e f o l l o v i n g i t e m s : t i t l e of the medal ; name,rank and u n i t of the r e c i p i e n t , d a t e of i s s u e . I t a l s o b e a r s t h e stampof t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n ( d i v i s i o n e t c . ) , a s w e l l a s th s i g n a t u r e of th e i s s u i n g o f f i c e r . P h o t o g r ap h s of f o u r of t h a s e c e r t i f i c a t e s of a m r d a r e foundon Plate XXV, 203-206.

J EXAMPLES OF HOW MSDALS ABEPhotogr-tphs o f members o f t h e German Array a n d A i r Force a r e found onp l a t e s :2CVT-}QCVTI- I l l u s t r

German Medals and Decorations

Documents

Transcript of German Medals and Decorations