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U-Boat Badge Schwerin Berlin 68

Hello Collectors, today I like to show you a really special badge which is in my collection for about 20 years. Way back in 1997 I started to collect more and more medals and as a navy soldier the special interest in Kriegsmarine badges was huge. An older collector told me, that I have to look always for Tombak pieces made by Schwerin Berlin 68.

UBoat Badge – Schwerin Berlin 68

And all with maker on the back…..Start like that and you will always be on the sunny side of collector life ;-). Those days an older lady called me and told me about her uncle who was on submarine. He died during the war and all they have left was a “ U-boat medal made from gold” and some books from the Kriegsmarine. Exactly that week I had a training week and was not able to drive to this old lady and check the badge out. So I called a friend who lived close to the badge location. I asked him to go there, to check the estate and if the price is ok, buy it for me.

UBoat Badge – Schwerin Berlin 68

So he went there, bought it all and a week later we met at my place. He opened the box and showed me this amazing golden U-boat Badge, polished, perfect fire gilted finish, solid block type hinge, marker Schwerin Berlin 68 marked and unworn…..So shiny I had to put sun glasses on. He is a man of honor so he gave it to me.

Sure he wanted to keep it, but one man and one word….that’s the way it goes.

On the backside there is a fingerprint on the wreath…..That days I wasn`t so careful with my badges and touched them like a child…..

UBoat Badge -Schwerin Berlin 68

Because of the sweat from my fingers the fingerprint lines went somehow slightly in the material…..Now I know better 😉

To the history of the U-Boat:

The U-Boat War Badge was instituted October 13th, 1939 by the “Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine und Großadmiral, Erich Raeder on for award to all ranks of U-Boat personnel who had served on at least two sorties against the enemy or were wounded in action.

UBoat Badge -Schwerin Berlin 68

The design of the badge was based on the 1918 Imperial U-Boat War Badge but replaced the Imperial crown with the national eagle and swastika. The badge was to be worn on the lower left breast of most uniforms. All badges were in Gold, there were no broce or silver badges made. Only a few U-Boar Badges with diamond were made, but that is another story…….

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National Winner Badge 1939

We have here a really nice and rare badge which is underestimated because they are extrem hard to find. In 25 years of collecting I wasn´t able to get one for my collection or even put my hand on such a nice one like this here. The pictures came for a friend of Mine, Markus Stappen, who has recently released his new book :” Die Abzeichen und Dokumente im Reichsberufswettkampf / The Badges and Documents in the National Trade Competition” . Really good research on that topic, a must have book.

National Winner Badge 1939

The “Reichssieger” badge you see here was made by the manufacturer Gustav Brehmer Markneukirchen, the dimensions of the piece are: – Wingspan 49,1 mm – Height 48,1 mm – Weight about 26,25 g. The Reichssieger Badges 1938 und 1939 came in a black case with a velvet inlay.

To the historical background:

In February 1934, National Youth Leader Baldur von Schirach and Dr. Robert Ley, head of the German Labor Front collaborated in a joint effort to institute a National Trade Competition to encourage German youth to develop proficient skills in manual, technical or professional trades. The competitions consisted of twenty main categories with over seven hundred assorted trades being represented. All participants were required to belong to the HJ, DAF, or another NSDAP organization, and only those under 21 years old were eligible to compete.

National Winner Badge 1939

Participants were required to demonstrate their particular skills and successfully complete appropriate written tests. The competitions were held at the three different political levels with the winners advancing to the next level. Local, (Kreis), level competitions were held in February followed by the State, (Gau), level competitions in March and the National, (Reichs), level competitions held in April, with the National winners being bestowed their awards by Hitler personally on May 1ST, the Day of National Labor. Although all competitors were issued a participants badge and certificate, originally only the National winners were bestowed an actual award with corresponding certificate. In 1938 a new award was instituted in three grades with the colored finish determining the grade of the award as follows, gold finish for the Reichs level award, a silver finish for the Gau level award and a bronze finish for the Kreis level award. Of Note: In 1938 eligibility to compete in the National Trade Competitions was extended to include those over 21 years old and participants were no longer required to belong to an NSDAP organization. After the outbreak of the war the competition was renamed, Kreigsberufswettkampf, (War Trade Competition), with the last event held in 1944.

 

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Sascha

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Tank Destruction Badge Woven

This Tank Destruction Badge (Panzervernichtungsabzeichen) belongs to the Giel Van Wassenhove collection and was presenteted lately on the WAF.

The Badge is woven which made it extremly rare. Normal TDB`s are with an Metal Tank on the aluminum Strip. Not often seen and not often found, to be honest the second time I see one in an collection.

Tank Destruction Badge Woven

Here are some more Informations to the Tank destruction Badge:

After the invasion of Russia in June 1941 more and more Russian tanks showed up on the battlefield. There was not always a PAK (Panzerabwehrkanone) in reach or another German tank to fight against them. So the German soldiers grabbed mines or hand grenades, climbed up the enemy tank and tried to destroy them that way.

Tank Destruction Badge Woven close up

Sometimes it worked because the Russian tanks attacked without covering infantry, so easy prey for close combat attacks. Until March the 9th 1942 soldiers got for that brave attack the General Assault badge. But Adolf Hitler established the Tank Destruction Strip in silver on the recommendation of the Oberkommando des Heeres OKH (High Command of the Army). An Award for those individuals who single handedly

destroyed an enemy armored vehicle with personal hand held weapons. The Tank Destruction Strip was worn on the upper right sleeve of the field blouse and service tunic.

Tank Destruction Badge Woven backside

The soldiers who had already destroyed enemy tanks back to the date June 22nd, 1941got credits for that and became retroactive the strip. As the war went on, more and more soldiers destroyed tanks and got more and more Tank Destruction Strips, which are sewn beneath each other on the rights upper sleeve. Because of that, the OKH introduced the Tank Destruction Strip in Gold on December 18, 1943. This only for personnel that had destroyed five enemy tanks. If an individual had been awarded five in silver they would be exchanged for a Tank Destruction Strip in Gold.

Tank Destruction Badge Woven edge

Experts say that about 13.000 Tank Destruction Badges were awarded until the end of World War II. Leutnant Heinrich Zubrod destroyed 13 tanks single handed. This Knights Cross winner is the record holder by getting the Tank Destruction Badge. This information came from Dirk Schneider, the author of the book: “ Das Panzervernichtungsabzeichen sowie das Tieffliegervernichtungsabzeichen“.


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Sascha

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Dunkirk Shield / Field Cap Badge

From the collection of Dirk Geiger (Germany)  we got some Pictures from this rare Dunkirk Shield (Duenkirchen Schild). As you can see it is handmade by some soldiers during their time in the fortress.

Dunkirk Shield

In a directive dated September 4th, 1944, Adolf Hitler had Dunkirk explained to a FORTRESS. The concept of fortification included the port itself as well as the city of Dunkirk. In the context of the defense of the fortresses of Dunkirk, which had begun through the invasion of the Allies in Normandy, the Vizeadmiral Friedrich Frisius had the idea of ​​creating something as a reminder for the 15,000 German defenders. So the Idea of the Dunkirk Shield was born.

BUT the Dunkirk shield is not a combat badge of the Wehrmacht, since neither its foundation nor the award was officially made. The Dunkirk shield was therefore only regarded as a „tradition badge“.

Dunkirk Shield

With the entry into the “Soldbuch”, there was no claim to official acceptance of the shield by the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Therefore, this shield was not included in the Act of Title, Order, and Honor Sign of July 26, 1957.

The Dunkirk shield had never been designed as an arm shield (like Narvik Shield or Cholm Shield), but was worn on the left side of the field-cap, similar to the white of the mountain troops.
The fortress of Dunkirk finally surrendered on 9 May 1945 against French, British and Czech units. During the siege, Vizeadmiral Frisius had the so-called Dunkirk shield made from makeshift metal supplies, and distributed to the soldiers of the army, the navy, and probably an unknown number of military forces, in order to strengthen their sense of communion. The „award“ of the shield was confirmed by the entry in the “Soldbuch”.

 

Its width is about 34 mm and its height is 41 mm. The form corresponds to the shield form, the center of the lighthouse being shown by Dunkirk.

Dunkirk Shield

On the left is the number 19 and the number 44 on the right (1944). Above the lighthouse the name DUENKIRCHEN can be read in capital letters. On the lower side of the sign there is an anchor chain and the relief of raised sea waves. On some shields you will find little holes in the corners, so the soldiers could sew it to their Filed cap.

Dunkirk Shield

Some facts about Vizeadmiral Friedrich Frisius

He was born in January 17th, 1895 in Salzuflen and died in August, 30th 1970 in Lingen.

During World War I he was awarded with the Iron Cross 2nd class and 1st class.

In World War II he also got the clasp to the Iron Cross 2nd class and 1st class. During the time in the Fortress Dunkirk he was awarded the German Cross in Gold in September 16th, 1944.

TC & GH

Sascha

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Pilot and Observer Badge made by Assmann

 This extreme rare and hard to find early Assmann Pilot and observer Badge with the matching case belongs to the collection of William K

Pilot & Observer Badge with case

ramer. In this stunning condition for sure a “looker” you can’t see every day. If you find early Assmann badges they are normally hard work and not like this. The badge is made from Tombak, so the catch is soldered directly to the wreath. The shape of the wreath is early Egg-Shape !!! Typical Assmann rivets on the backside and the “A” marker in the middle of the eagles backside togesther with the „A&S“ !

The Assmann Company started business in the 18th century and made uniform buttons and badges for the military.

Pilot & Observer Badge

Not anymore, today they do other things:

Assmann Company Today

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting to read what happened in 1955 for the new armed forces of Germany, the Bundeswehr and the company Assmann (Article is in German) :  News from 1955

 

To the History of the Pilot and Observer badge, in German language often called “Doppler” because it combined both activities in one badge, here are some information to it.

Pilot & Observer Badge backside

The combined pilot’s/observer’s qualification badge was originally introduced by Hermann Göring on January 19th, 1935, and featured a horizontally oval wreath encompassing a stylized national eagle in flight. On March 26TH 1935 the badge was redesigned by altering the wreath to the vertical position as with the other Luftwaffe qualification badges.

Pilot & Observer Badge Marker A +A&S

The badge was intended for award to personnel who had qualified for both the military pilot’s and the observer’s badges and had held at least one of the awards for a minimum of one year. This second pattern badge took the same form as the pilot’s badge, but with a golden wreath.

 

 

TC & GH

Sascha

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Cuff Title Metz 1944

The Metz 1944 cuff title was a battle and tradition badge of the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It was created on October 24th, 1944 by Adolf Hitler through Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel and awarded in his function as Chief of the High Command of the Wehrmacht „in the nam

Metz 1944

e of the Führer“. The creation of the Metz 1944 cuff title certified the owner an active defense role in defensive battles around the French fortress

of Metz (France), which raged in the time from August 27th till September 25th, 1944 between members of the battle group “ Siegroth “ and the Allies.

Metz 1944

The Metz 1944 cuff title was only given as a badge of the Wehrmacht to those soldiers, who were parts of the battle group“Siegroth“. They must have at least one „honorable“ seven-day operation under the battle group „Siegroth“ or were wounded in the course of these fighting’s. Furthermore, the cuff title was provided as tradition badge that could be acquired by all officers, officials, sergeants and enlisted grades of „School VI Fhj. D. Inf. Metz“.

 

The Metz 1944 cufftitle consisted of black base with silver bezel and silver embroidered inscription: METZ 1944, it was worn on the left forearm. Furthermore, all political leaders of the NSDAP were allowed to wear the armband all Party uniforms and its organization uniforms. Again, the premise was an active role in the defense of the city. It is still not clear whether the cuff title was lent during the war. There are some pictures where the cuff title were handed over and some pictures with the Metz cuff title in wear. Some of the fighters in the Metz school told later, that the award Metz 1944 cuff title was written in the Wehrpass, but the cuff title itself and the award document were not handed over to the

Metz 1944

fighters. But there are some groupings on the market with the documents and the cuff title together. From time to time there are original examples which are made slightly different. It is Hard to say if they are good or not.

This very nice cuff title Metz 1944 belongs to Thomas Bendixen, who was so kind to give me pictures for my book of about cuff titles.

TC & GH

Sascha

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Close Range Night Fighter clasp Luftwaffe

Hi Collectors, I found this very nice and rare

Operational Flight Clasp for Close Range Night Fighters in Gold on the internet. Collection of  Marco Rebola with the pictures from Militaria Berlin.

Close Range Night Fighter Clasp Gold

 

This one is hard to find in that near mint condition with all of the matt gilt plate still present. Swastika and highpoints burnished.  The silk matt black paint on the wreath complete which is often gone due to the use on the uniform. Close range night fighters clasp are easy to spot because of the black wreath and the arrowhead points upward.

Sadly not marked but a known variation.

Close Range Night Fighter Clasp Gold

To the history of these clasps:

….This clasp for the Luftwaffe were introduced August 14, 1942.

The front flying clasps were donated by Hermann Göring, the commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, on January 30, 1941, as a visible sign and recognition of the fronts in the air. All members of the Luftwaffe who were involved in front duty and fulfilled the provisions for this award. The front clasps were expanded 1944 on to finally 8 different versions.

These were:

Close Range Night Fighter Clasp Gold

Jäger, Nah Nachtjäger, Fern Nachtjäger, Aufklärer, Kampf-und Sturzkampfflieger, Transport-und Luftlandeflieger, Schlachtflieger und Zerstörer  An enemy flight included missions that were at least 30 km behind the frontline or were connected with enemy contacts. Later, long flight times, over 12 hours 4 times and over 16 hours were counted 5 times. The bronze front clasp was awarded after 20 enemy flights, the silver after 60 flights and the golden front clasp after 110 enemy flights.  Due to the frequent overloading of the numbers, the Star (Tag) was donated to the golden front wing on June 26, 1942. From  April 29, 1944, instead of the Star the numbers were given to the Crew men like 100, 200 and so on.

TC & GH

Sascha

 

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Iron Cross 2nd Class 1939 marked L/18

Hello Collectors, once in a while they are popping up like flowers in the dessert. Hard to spot and even harder to get them.  This very nice example was found by a German collector in a little estate in Germany. Nice condition and no signs of wear or scratches. The inner core still in full black paint. The ribbon was with the cross but sadly no paper bag. The marker is L/18, which stand for the company B.H. Mayer Kust und Prägeanstalt.

It was for sale in the WAF for small money, so some collectors weren`t sure that ist was an original. So the owner removed it from the sales section, posted it in the iron cross section for confirmation. Quick the positive confirmation came and the cross was sold. Lucky buyer, I think he closed a gap in his collection by bringing in a nice and rare iron cross 2nd class with that rare maker in the ring.

If you find rare iron crosses in the internet, let me know and I will bring it in the blog.

TC & GH

Sascha

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse L/18 - Iron Cross 2nd Class L/18
Iron Cross 2nd Class L/18
Iron Cross 2nd Class L/18
Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse L/18 - Iron Cross 2nd Class L/18
Iron Cross 2nd Class L/18