Storm badge

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General assault badge
Images of the storm badge in the 57 version
Correct way of wearing the storm badge on the field blouse
1942, Russian " HiWis " who have been awarded the assault badge
A cossack of the Wehrmacht with the assault badge

The (general) assault badge was a badge of bravery of the German army in World War II .

prehistory

During the attack on Poland in September 1939, the Army High Command recognized that it was imperative to add another assault badge to the previous infantry assault badge. While the infantry assault badge was only suitable for non-motorized riflemen and mountain troops, the (general) assault badge was intended to honor all other branches of arms ( e.g. assault artillery or pioneers) provided they were in combat with the infantry and armored forces.

Foundation, endowment

The badge was introduced on June 1, 1940 by ordinance by the Commander-in-Chief of the Army , Walther von Brauchitsch . This was to be used to entrust officers , non-commissioned officers and men who were not subject to the provisions of the infantry assault badge or the tank battle badge .

Appearance

The (general) assault badge consists of a highly oval, silver-colored oak wreath . In the middle is the Wehrmacht eagle, which is holding a swastika on a point in its claws . A stick hand grenade crossed against one another and a side gun can be seen under the swastika . Both symbolize the main weapons of the infantry. In the case of the steps (numbers used) for the assault badge, a small square with the respective awarded step was framed in the wreath of oak leaves at the central point on the lower edge of the badge.

Carrying method

The (general) assault badge was worn as a plug-in badge on the left side of the chest in and out of service with all uniforms of the Wehrmacht. It could also be worn with all party and state uniforms. A reduced form (16 mm, needle) of the award on the left cloak of the skirt was allowed to go with bourgeois clothing. A corresponding miniature pendant to the tailcoat chain was allowed on special occasions.

Award

The award regulations corresponded exactly to the foundation ordinance for the infantry assault badge. The assault badge itself could be awarded to persons who from January 1, 1940.

  • of three assaults
  • in the forefront
  • Breaking in with gun in hand
  • had been involved in three different days of the fight.

The award was made by the division commander, in the case of the corps and army groups by the tactical superior in the rank of division commander. With the award of the award, the entrusted received a certificate of ownership and the corresponding entry in his pay book.

stages

Originally only donated to one level, the further course of the war finally made it necessary to create higher levels for the assault badge. This was due to the fact that more and more members of the army formations had exceeded the conditions for the award of the assault badge. By order of June 22, 1943, Lieutenant General Rudolf Schmundt , representing the Army High Command, finally approved their introduction. The resulting grading was:

  • 1st level: Assault badge
  • 2nd level: Assault badge with deployment number 25 (from July 1, 1943)
  • 3rd level: Assault badge with deployment number 50 (from July 1, 1943)
  • 4th level: Assault badge with number 75 (from July 1, 1943)
  • 5th level: Assault badge with number 100 (from July 1, 1943)

The calculation of the working days could begin on July 1, 1943. On July 2, 1943, the relevant order was published in the Army Ordinance Gazette. According to the current state of knowledge, all levels were awarded with the number of operations by the end of the war. Only the highest step was allowed to be worn at a time, but the lower steps remained a memory for the wearer. Contrary to the Foundation Ordinance, the storm badge itself was also awarded to foreign members of the Wehrmacht and allies.

Others

In the foundation regulations, the badge is always spoken of as a storm badge , the designation general storm badge or (general) storm badge quickly became established to distinguish it . According to the law on titles, medals and decorations of July 26, 1957, wearing the award in the Federal Republic of Germany is only permitted without National Socialist emblems.

literature

Individual evidence

  • Army Ordinance Sheet 1940, part B, 56th edition, page 379, paragraphs 536 and 537
  • Army Ordinance Sheet 1941, Part C, 16th Edition, Sheet 8, Page 137, Item 211
  • Army Ordinance Sheet 1941, Part C, 29th Edition, Sheet 15, Page 303, Item 449
  • Army Ordinance Sheet 1941, Part C, 56th Edition, Sheet 28, Page 583, Item 855
  • Army Ordinance Sheet 1941, Part C, 59th Edition, Sheet 30, Page 619, Item 907
  • Army Ordinance Sheet 1941, Part C, 69th Edition, Sheet 34, Page 703, Item 1052
  • Army Ordinance Sheet 1942, Part B, 17th Edition, Sheet 6, Page 154, Item 261
  • Army Ordinance Sheet 1942, Part B, 49th Edition, Sheet 17, Page 409, Item 687
  • Army Ordinance Sheet 1942, Part B, 55th Edition, Sheet 19, Page 445, Item 760