Probation and combat badges for small weapons

The probation and combat badges for small weapons were donated on November 30, 1944 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Karl Dönitz, in one probation stage and seven combat levels in recognition of the dashing, successful attacks of the small combat units and could be awarded to all those members who were in the small combat units of the Kriegsmarine were summarized. These small combat units were set up in April 1944 under the command of Rear Admiral Hellmuth Heye and were used to test and use new weapon technologies, with the help of which an effective combat against sea targets, mostly suicide missions, should be possible. The vehicles used for this purpose were, among others, martens , negroes , monkfish and beavers .

Award Regulations

Common award condition, d. H. for both the probation badge and the combat badge, were worthy and good conduct .

In addition to worthiness and good leadership, the following conditions had to be met:

Name / level	description	Awarded to
Probation badge for small weapons	sawfish	Members of a small combat organization with completed training
Combat badge for small weapons 1st level	Sawfish in the cordage	Soldiers of the small combat units who had proven themselves in action or in the preparation of the deployment and in special attempts at new techniques
Combat badge for small weapons 2nd level	Sawfish in ropes with 1 sword	Participation in a lone warrior or commando company at sea, or on land and probation after a deployment
Combat badge for small weapons 3rd level	Sawfish in ropes with 2 swords	Participation in a lone fighter or commando company at sea, or on land and probation after two missions
Combat badge for small weapons 4th level	Sawfish in ropes with 3 swords	Participation in a lone fighter or commando company at sea, or on land and probation after three missions
Combat badge of small weapons 5th level	Battle clasp in bronze	Participation in a lone warrior or commando company at sea, or on land and probation after four missions
Combat badge for small weapons 6th level	Battle clasp in silver	Participation in a lone warrior or commando company at sea, or on land and probation after seven missions
Combat badge for small weapons 7th level	Battle clasp in gold	Participation in a lone warrior or commando company at sea, or on land and probation after ten missions

The probation badge was awarded to soldiers of the small combat units who had volunteered as lone fighters or to those soldiers who were commanded but intended for special operations, namely after completed training and probation in training. Another condition was a two-month membership in the small combat unit. An exception to this was only possible if an earlier frontline deployment justified the shortening of this period. If the soldier was assigned from the small combat unit for official reasons, he lost the right to wear the probation badge. The same applies to soldiers in the association who have become unworthy of the award due to poor leadership or unsold behavior.

The combat badges were awarded to soldiers who have proven themselves in combat and are honored according to the number of missions. In the case of particularly excellent performances as a lone fighter, an earlier award of the V to VII level could take place.

In less severe cases, the badges could be withdrawn for a period of up to 4 weeks, in severe cases also permanently by the respective commander.

Appearance

The probation badge for small weapons was also available without a round cloth base

The probation badge for small weapons shows a stylized embroidered sawfish , which is golden yellow on a dark blue background. Both specimens with a dark blue border and with a round cloth base have become known.

The combat badge for small weapons takes up the motif again and shows off on a round dark blue cloth base with embroidery in golden-yellow artificial silk. It shows a thin circular rope with an open sailor's knot and a sawfish placed to the right, which protrudes with its saw and tail over the rope. The 2nd level complements a diagonally placed sword . The third level is deposited with two crossed diagonal swords and the fourth level is added a vertical one.

The 5th to 7th level combat badges, also called combat clasps , are bronze , silver or gold and show a tangled rope in the middle of which a sawfish swimming to the left is placed. The badges were made of bronze or fine zinc . The back of the combat badge shows a horizontal soldered needle with a counter hook.

Carrying method

The probation badge and the combat badges of the 1st to 4th level were worn on the right upper arm below the sleeve seam on the shoulder. The combat badges of the 5th to 7th level above the medal buckle on the left side of the chest like the close combat clasp . The sawfish symbol is still used today in the mine diving company of the German Armed Forces and as a badge for activities in the German navy , such as combat swimmers . The latter represent today's form of sea warriors.

According to the law on titles, medals and decorations of July 26, 1957, wearing this decoration is permitted in the Federal Republic of Germany , since the designs at that time did not contain any National Socialist emblems.

Award numbers

Concrete award numbers are not available. What is certain is that the probation badge and the combat badge have been awarded up to the 4th level. It is not clear whether the 5th, 6th and 7th level combat badges were awarded before the end of the war. However, contemporary specimens are known up to level 6.

literature

Marine ordinance sheet. Volume 75 - Berlin, December 15, 1944 - Issue 52 - pp. 989–990.

Kurt-G. Klietmann : Awards of the German Empire. 1936-1945. A documentation of civil and military badges of merit and honor. 11th edition. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-87943-689-4 , pp. 147-149.
Kurt-Gerhard Klietmann : German Awards. Volume 2: German Empire: 1871–1945. The Order Collection, Berlin 1971.