Luftwaffe tank battle badge

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Panzer Badge of the Luftwaffe in silver (57 version)
Images of the Luftwaffe tank combat badge (57 version)

The Luftwaffe's tank combat badge was an award for bravery of the Wehrmacht in World War II and was donated by ordinance on November 3, 1944, based on the model of the army ( tank combat badge ) by the Air Force Commander in Chief Hermann Göring .

Foundation Ordinance

The Foundation Ordinance was written by Göring himself and reads in its full wording:

  • "The increasing use of air force units, especially parachute troops in the ground battles of the defensive fronts and at the focal points of current war events, as well as the nature of the participation in these battles gives me the reason to approve the introduction of further combat insignia for the air force."
  • "Based on the combat badges introduced by the army, I donate the Luftwaffe's tank combat badge for testing in combat when serving as a member of tank, tank reconnaissance and armored infantry units of the Luftwaffe ."

Award Regulations (extract)

The Luftwaffe tank combat badge is awarded in two ways:

  • article 1
    • a) in silver , d. H. with silver oak leaf wreath and
    • b) in black, d. H. with black oak leaf wreath.
  • Article 2
    • The silver tank combat badge of the Luftwaffe can be awarded to all members of the Luftwaffe who have proven themselves with armored units of the Luftwaffe, especially in the field of parachute troops, as armored vehicles or tank commanders, tank gunners, tank drivers and tank radio operators who have been deployed at least three times in combat on three different days , whereby the armored car crews must have actively participated in the fight. Detectors of the Luftwaffe tank units can fulfill the conditions for the tank combat badge in silver if they ride in the foremost line of the fighting tanks and prove themselves on three different days of fighting under the direct action of enemy weapons. For soldiers of the medical staff, the conditions for the silver tank combat badge of the Luftwaffe are deemed to have been met if they, while riding in a tank, have proven themselves at least three times in combat on three different days in the care and rescue of the wounded, with the armored car crew being active must have participated in the fight.
  • Article 3
    • The Luftwaffe tank combat badge in black can be awarded to all members of the Luftwaffe who have been involved in the armored infantry units of the Luftwaffe, especially in the area of ​​parachute troops:
    • a) on 3 assaults
    • b) in the front line
    • c) breaking in with gun in hand
    • d) on 3 different days of the fight.

Successful violent explorations, counterattacks and counterattacks are to be rated as an assault if they have led to close combat. Personal involvement in the execution of enemy chariots in close combat with close combat weapons or means is also considered an assault. For soldiers of the medical personnel, the conditions for the tank combat badge in black are considered fulfilled if they have cared for or rescued the wounded in the close combat area under the same combat conditions as the storming tank grenadiers. The members of the tank reconnaissance units can be awarded the Luftwaffe tank combat badge if they have fulfilled the conditions set out in paragraph 2 above for the award of the Luftwaffe tank combat badge in silver.

  • Articles 4, 5, 6 ... (general information)
  • Article 7 (appearance)

The badge shows an armored car, surrounded by a raised, oval wreath of oak leaves, which is surmounted in its upper part by the national badge of the Air Force. On the back of the combat badge there is a soldered hinge pin in a vertical position. Execution:

    • a) in silver with a silver wreath of oak leaves (armored car black)
    • b) in black with a black wreath of oak leaves (silver armored car).

Dimensions of the eagle: wingspan approx. 40 mm, height of the eagle including swastika approx. 20 mm, dimensions of the wreath: with armored car approx. 46 mm, height approx. 55 mm.

Carrying method

The 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 lapel of the skirt was allowed to go with bourgeois clothing. A corresponding miniature pendant to the tailcoat chain was allowed on special occasions.

stages

Originally only donated to one level, the further course of the war finally made it necessary to create higher levels for the Luftwaffe's tank combat badge. This was due to the fact that more and more members of the tank formations had over-fulfilled the conditions for awarding the Luftwaffe tank combat badge. With an order of November 10, 1944, Göring finally approved their introduction. The resulting grading was:

  • 1st level: Luftwaffe tank combat badge
  • 2nd level: with stakes 25
  • 3rd level: with stakes 50
  • 4th level: with stakes 75
  • 5th level: with stakes 100

The calculation of the operating days could begin on November 11, 1944. According to the current state of knowledge, no levels with the number of operations were awarded until the end of the war. Individual entries in the pay register for the pieces with the number of stakes can be documented.

Others

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.

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