Infantry Assault Badge
Encyclopedia
The Infantry Assault Badge was a German war badge awarded to Waffen SS and Wehrmacht
Heer
soldiers during WWII
. This decoration was instituted on December 20th 1939 by the Oberstbefehlshaber des Heeres, Generalfeldmarschall von Brauchitsch. It could be awarded to members of non-motorized Infantry units and units of the Gebirgsjäger that had participated in Infantry assaults, with light Infantry weapons, on at least three days of battle in the front line as from January 1st 1940. When a counter offensive led to fighting at short distance, it could also apply. Award of the Infanterie Sturmabzeichen was authorized at regimental command level or above. The first two awards were given to an officer and a enlisted soldier on a special occasion on May 28th 1940, by von Brauchitsch himself.
, and was awarded to infantry soldiers according to one of the following criteria:
and there is a rifle across the badge. The reverse of the badge is plain and has a pin attached to it. With the institution of the Ordensgesetz
of 1957, German military personnel were permitted to wear de-nazified versions of German decorations. Also the Infanterie- Sturmabzeichen was produced from 1957 as a de-nazified version in Silver and Bronze, without the eagle and the Swastika.
Wehrmacht
The Wehrmacht – from , to defend and , the might/power) were the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany from 1935 to 1945. It consisted of the Heer , the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe .-Origin and use of the term:...
Heer
German Army
The German Army is the land component of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. Following the disbanding of the Wehrmacht after World War II, it was re-established in 1955 as the Bundesheer, part of the newly formed West German Bundeswehr along with the Navy and the Air Force...
soldiers during WWII
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. This decoration was instituted on December 20th 1939 by the Oberstbefehlshaber des Heeres, Generalfeldmarschall von Brauchitsch. It could be awarded to members of non-motorized Infantry units and units of the Gebirgsjäger that had participated in Infantry assaults, with light Infantry weapons, on at least three days of battle in the front line as from January 1st 1940. When a counter offensive led to fighting at short distance, it could also apply. Award of the Infanterie Sturmabzeichen was authorized at regimental command level or above. The first two awards were given to an officer and a enlisted soldier on a special occasion on May 28th 1940, by von Brauchitsch himself.
Silver
The silver class was instituted on December 20, 1939 by the commander of the OKH, Walther von BrauchitschWalther von Brauchitsch
Heinrich Alfred Hermann Walther von Brauchitsch was a German field marshal and the Oberbefehlshaber des Heeres in the early years of World War II.-Biography:...
, and was awarded to infantry soldiers according to one of the following criteria:
- To have taken part in three or more infantry assaults.
- To have taken part in three or more infantry counter-attacks.
- To have taken part in three or more armed reconnaissance operations.
- To have engaged in hand-to-hand combat in an assault position.
- To have participated on three separate days in the restitution of combat positions.
Bronze
The bronze class was instituted on June 1, 1940. It was awarded to motorized Panzer troops according to the following criteria:- To have taken part in three or more motorized infantry assaults.
- To have taken part in three or more motorized infantry counter-attacks.
- To have taken part in three or more motorized armed reconnaissance operations.
- To have been engaged in hand-to-hand combat in motorized assault positions.
- To have participated on three separate days in the restitution of a motorized combat position.
Maker's Marks
1, 2, 3, 4, Assmann, BSW, CW, DH Aurich, Franke & Reif, FO, FLL, FZS, G&W, GWL, H, JB & Co., JFS, L/10, L/18, L/51, L/53, L/56, L/61, MK 1, MK 2, MK 3, MK 4, MK 5, MK 6, MK 7, R.S., RSS, S.H.u.Co 41, W.H., ÜÜ Wiedmann.Design
The badge was designed by the company C. E. Junker of Berlin. It is oval in shape, with four oak leaves on each side; on the top is an eagle standing on a swastikaSwastika
The swastika is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing form in counter clock motion or its mirrored left-facing form in clock motion. Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient...
and there is a rifle across the badge. The reverse of the badge is plain and has a pin attached to it. With the institution of the Ordensgesetz
Ordensgesetz
The Gesetz über Titel, Orden und Ehrenzeichen , often shortened to Ordensgesetz , is a federal law of Germany detailing the treatment and handling procedures for civilian and military decorations. The law was put into effect on July 26, 1957 and fulfilled two primary purposes...
of 1957, German military personnel were permitted to wear de-nazified versions of German decorations. Also the Infanterie- Sturmabzeichen was produced from 1957 as a de-nazified version in Silver and Bronze, without the eagle and the Swastika.