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Category: Germany

The U-boat War Badge (WW1)

The U-boat War Badge was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat (submarine) crew members during World War I and World War II.

The U-boat War Badge (or U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen in German) was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat (submarine) crew members during World War I and also World War II. It was originally instituted during WW1 on February 1, 1918, to recognize U-boat crews who had completed three war patrols. 

The U-Boat War Badge Design

The badge was worn on the lower left side of the uniform and was oval shaped resembling a wreath of laurel leaves. On the obverse is a submarine laying across the center. The German State Crown is inlaid at the top center of the wreath.

The 1939 version was very similar to the original badge with the exception of the imperial crown being replaced with a German Eagle above a swastika, and a more modernized submarine now facing towards the left was used.

The new version was first made of bronze metal, with later ones made of zinc with a “gold wash”.

More Variants of the U-Boat Badge

Imperial U-Boat Badge, reverse.
Imperial U-Boat Badge, reverse. The "M" is an original maker mark but the manufacturer is unknown.
The U-boat War Badge - German WW1 Medals & Badges
The WW1 U-boat War Badge - Obverse.
U-Boat Badge with diamonds, reverse.
German WW2 U-Boat Badge with diamonds. 1939 version, obverse.

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The U-boat War Badge (Nazi Germany)

The U-boat War Badge (or U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen) was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat (submarine) crew members in WW2.

The U-boat War Badge (or U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen in German) was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat (submarine) crew members during World War I and World War II.

The original U-boat War Badge was originally instituted during WW1 on February 1, 1918, to recognize U-boat crews who had completed three war patrols. On October 13, 1939, the U-boat War Badge was reinstituted and bestowed in two classes:

  • U-Boat War Badge: For the completion of two or more war patrols. Completing two war patrols could be equally dangerous as the U-boat has to endure constant attacks by Allied aircraft and warships. The other occasion when this badge was awarded was having been wounded during a patrol or killed in action.
  • U-boat War Badge with Diamonds: It was instituted by Großadmiral Karl Dönitz after he had received from Grand Admiral Erich Raeder a special solid gold version of the U-boat War Badge in which the wreath as well as the swastika were inlaid with diamonds.

This second version of the badge was a special issue award given to U-boat commanders who had received the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. Made of gold plate over silver and manufactured by Schwerin u. Sohn and Gebr. Godet & Co., it was the same as the basic pattern but with nine small diamonds inlaid in the swastika. 

This award was more of a personal award by Dönitz, and approximately 30 were awarded, including the original one to Admiral Dönitz.

The U-Boat War Badge Design

The badge was worn on the lower left side of the uniform and was oval shaped resembling a wreath of laurel leaves. A submarine lay across the center and the German State Crown was inlaid at the top center of the wreath.

The 1939 version was very similar to the original badge with the exception of the imperial crown being replaced with a German Eagle above a swastika, and a more modernized submarine now facing towards the left was used.

The new version was first made of bronze metal, with later ones made of zinc with a “gold wash”.

Imperial U-Boat Badge, reverse.
Imperial U-Boat Badge, reverse. The "M" is an original maker mark but the manufacturer is unknown.
The U-boat War Badge - German WW1 Medals & Badges
The WW1 U-boat War Badge - Obverse.
U-Boat Badge with diamonds, reverse.
German WW2 U-Boat Badge with diamonds. 1939 version, obverse.

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More Naval War Badges

The Naval War Badges (Kriegsmarine) badges were awarded to sailors, officers, and personnel of the Kriegsmarine who demonstrated exceptional skill, bravery, and dedication in naval warfare. Explore the complete collection below:

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The Eastern Front Medal Winterschlacht im Osten

The Eastern Front Medal was a World War II German military decoration awarded to those who served during the winter campaign.

The Eastern Front Medal (or Medaille „Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42“) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to both German and Axis personnel. It was awarded to those who served on the German Eastern Front during the winter campaign period of 15 November 1941 to 15 April 1942.

The medal was instituted on 26 May 1942 and was commonly known as the Ostmedaille (East Medal) or Russian Front Medal.

The medal was wryly called the Frozen Meat Medal or the “Order of the Frozen Flesh” (or Gefrierfleischorden in German) by Heer, Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS personnel to whom it was awarded. Armed service personnel qualified for the badge after a minimum of 14 days served in active combat; 30 combat sorties for Luftwaffe members; 60 days of continuous service in a combat zone; being wounded or suffering a “frozen limb”, severe enough to warrant the issue of a Wound Badge.

The medal could be awarded posthumously. It was officially decommissioned by Oberkommando der Wehrmacht on 4 September 1944.

The Eastern Front Medal Design

The medal measures 3.6 cm (1.4 in) in diameter, and is generally made of zinc. The medal was given a gun-metal coloured coating.

The concave obverse side features a national socialist eagle grasping a swastika with laurel behind.

The reverse features the text in capital letters: “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42” (“Winter Battle in the East 1941/42”) featuring a crossed sword and branch below the text. A helmet and stick grenade below the medal loop as well as outer ring were finished in a polished silver effect.

The ribbon featured a central white-black-white (white for snow, black for the fallen soldiers) stripe with red (for blood) either side. The medal and ribbon were presented in a paper packet with the name of the medal on the front and the maker name on the reverse.

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The War Merit Cross (With Swords)

The War Merit Cross was a decoration of Nazi Germany during the Second World War awarded to military personnel and civilians.

The War Merit Cross (or Kriegsverdienstkreuz in German) was a decoration of of Nazi Germany awarded to military personnel and civilians during the Second World War. It was created by Adolf Hitler in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars.

The award had four variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service “not in direct connection with combat”, without swords given to civilians for meritorious service in “furtherance of the war effort”, the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross, and the rare Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross in Gold. 

The War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords was presented to Military Personnel for bravery not necessarily in the face of the enemy, and in reality there was a gray area in which individuals received the medal when perhaps the non-combatant grade would have been appropriate.  A total of 6,134,950 were issued.

By the end of the war the War Merit Cross was issued in four degrees and had a related civil decoration. It was reissued in 1957 by the Bundeswehr in a de-Nazified version for veterans.

The War Merit Cross With Swords Design

The medal consists of a bronze plated Maltese Cross. The obverse has pebbled arms, with a central wreathed mobile swastika and crossed swords piercing the centrepiece. The reverse has a block hinge and a banjo-style pinback. The War Merit Cross measures 48.51 mm (w) x 48.48 mm (h) and weighs 17.6 grams.

Materials

War Merit Cross with Swords was constructed from a wide range of materials, from zinc with a bronzed wash to a few very rare bronze pieces. As the war progressed, the quality of the materials decreased, and as a result late war crosses lose their bronze wash with the passing of time, yielding a gray appearance.

Ribbon

The ribbon of the War Merit Cross with Swords was in red-white-black-white-red (the colors being reversed from the ribbon of the World War II version of the Iron Cross). The ribbon for the War Merit Medal was similar, but with a narrow vertical red strip in the center of the black field.

Classes

The War Merit Cross without Swords 1st Class was a pin-backed medal worn on the pocket of the tunic. The ribbon of the War Merit Cross without Swords 2nd Class could be worn like the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class (through the second buttonhole). Combat soldiers tended to hold the War Merit Cross in low regard, referring to its wearers as being in ‘Iron Cross Training’.

Order of Wear

The War Merit Cross with Swords was a neck decoration and worn the same way as the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.

Medal Variations

The War Merit Cross came in several variations, each with specific criteria and significance:

  1. War Merit Cross 2nd Class: Awarded with swords for bravery in combat or without swords for meritorious service in a non-combat role. This was worn as a ribbon on the uniform.

  2. War Merit Cross 1st Class: A higher distinction, awarded with or without swords, worn as a pin on the chest.

  3. Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross: The highest grade, also with or without swords, for exceptional service.

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The War Merit Cross (Without Swords)

The War Merit Cross was a decoration of Nazi Germany during the Second World War awarded to military personnel and civilians.

The War Merit Cross (or Kriegsverdienstkreuz in German) was a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded to military personnel and civilians during the Second World War. It was created by Adolf Hitler in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars.

The award had four variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service “not in direct connection with combat”, without swords given to civilians for meritorious service in “furtherance of the war effort”, the Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross, and the rare Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross in Gold. 

The War Merit Cross 2nd Class without swords was presented to those whose actions were deemed to be in the furtherance of the war effort but not directly involved in military operations, for example teachers, industrialists, or Military personnel on occupation duty or POW camp guards. A total of 1,591,5673 medals were issued.

By the end of the war the War Merit Cross was issued in four degrees and had a related civil decoration. It was reissued in 1957 by the Bundeswehr in a de-Nazified version for veterans.n

The War Merit Cross Without Swords Design

The medal consists of a bronze plated Maltese Cross. The obverse has pebbled arms, with a central wreathed mobile swastika and crossed swords piercing the centrepiece. The reverse has a block hinge and a banjo-style pinback. The War Merit Cross measures 48.51 mm (w) x 48.48 mm (h) and weighs 17.6 grams.

Materials

The War Merit Cross without Swords was constructed from a wide range of materials, from zinc with a bronzed wash to a few very rare bronze pieces. As the war progressed, the quality of the materials decreased, and as a result late war crosses lose their bronze wash with the passing of time, yielding a gray appearance.

Ribbon

The ribbon of the War Merit Cross without Swords was in red-white-black-white-red (the colors being reversed from the ribbon of the World War II version of the Iron Cross). The ribbon for the War Merit Medal was similar, but with a narrow vertical red strip in the center of the black field.

Classes

The War Merit Cross without Swords 1st Class was a pin-backed medal worn on the pocket of the tunic. The ribbon of the War Merit Cross without Swords 2nd Class could be worn like the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class (through the second buttonhole). 

Order of Wear

The War Merit Cross without Swords was a neck decoration and worn the same way as the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.

Medal Variations

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The Memel Medal

The Return of Memel Commemorative Medal is a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded during the interwar period, and the last of a series.

The Return of Memel Commemorative Medal (or Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes; 22. März 1939 in German) is a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded during the interwar period, and the last of the series of German Occupation Medals.

Germany annexed the Klaipėda Region (Memel Territory) from Lithuania on 22 March 1939 after an oral ultimatum. On 23 March an occupation of the city and district was carried out by German Army troops. To commemorate the occupation the “Memel Medal” was authorized on 1 May 1939.

It was awarded until 31 December 1940. The award was presented to all military, political and civil personnel who had distinguished themselves in actions related to the annexation of the district to Germany. In all 31,322 medals were awarded.

The Memel Medal Design

The medal was designed by Professor Richard Klein and die struck in bronze. It was worn on the left tunic pocket suspended from a white ribbon with a green strip in the middle and two red strips on each side, the historic colors of Lithuania Minor.

The obverse was the exactly the same as the previous two medals, but the reverse reads “Zur Erinnerung an die Heimkerhr des Memellandes 22. März 1939” (To commemorate the return of the Memel District. 22 March 1939), surrounded by an oak leave wreath.

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Nazi)

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire. 

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (or Stern zum Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in German) was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire.

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to the most outstanding of generals who performed feats of leadership to the extreme benefit of the German state. It was awarded only twice, a century apart, to Field Marshal Gebhard von Blücher in 1815 for his victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, and to Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg in 1918 for his victory at the Battle of Tannenberg. The award is commonly known as “Blücher’s Star” (Blücherstern) after its first recipient.

Paul von Hindenburg received the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (9 December 1916) to which the Golden Star added on 25 March 1918 (Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross).

During the reign of Nazi Germany, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring commissioned a new version of the medal, intending to award it to Adolf Hitler once Germany won the Second World War.

Since Germany was defeated in 1945, the award was never bestowed on the intended recipient. Following the Allied victory in May 1945, the US Army seized the only known prototype, which had been stored in a bunker. It is now a part of the collection of the Museum of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Icon Cross Design

The design of the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross is similar to that od the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, but with a golden crown and a swastika symbol.

More Variations of the Iron Cross

The Iron Cross, a prestigious German military decoration, has undergone several variations since its inception. For example, the Iron Cross 1813 was instituted during the Napoleonic Wars by King Frederick William III of Prussia, the Iron Cross 1914 was awarded during World War I, it was reinstated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the Iron Cross 1939 was revived by Adolf Hitler for World War II, with modifications including a swastika.

Related Article: The Iron Cross: History & Types of this Prussian German Military Medal

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Further Reading About the Iron Cross

Discover the stories behind the Iron Cross with these compelling books and delve into the rich history and significance of this prestigious military decoration.

The Coburg Badge

The Coburg Badge (Das Coburger Abzeichen in German) was the first badge recognized as a national award of the Nazi Party or NSDAP.

The Coburg Badge (or Das Coburger Abzeichen in German) was the first badge recognized as a national award of the Nazi Party or NSDAP.

Adolf Hitler ordered the Coburg Badge to be struck on 14 October 1932 to memorialize the event which took place ten years earlier, on Saturday, 14 October 1922. On that day, Hitler led 800 members of the SA from Munich and other Bavarian cities by train to Coburg for a weekend rally. Once there, numerous pitched street battles with leftists and communists occurred. In the end, the final victory belonged to the Nazis. Later, the day was known as the Deutscher Tag in Coburg (German Day in Coburg). Hitler had one his first decisive victory, as it was to become Nazi folklore and led to the expression, in ardent Nazi circles, ‘But were you at Coburg?‘

The badge was declared an official party and national decoration in a decree signed by Hitler, on 6th November 1936, who had taken a personal interest in the design. Only 436 names were entered on the official party roll of recipients who were entitled to the badge.

On 1 August 1939, Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler decreed that any SS member (whether enlisted or officer) who wore the Coburg Badge was eligible to wear the Totenkopf ring.

The Coburg Badge Medal Design

The award consists of an oval, slightly convex badge that was originally produced in massive bronze. It is 40mm wide and 54mm high, with a narrow wreath of laurel leaves around its edge measuring 2 mm across.

The badge features, in the obverse, a sword placed tip downward across the face of a swastika within an oval wreath of three leaves in each bunch and two berries at their tips. There are ten bunches on either side and the top two bunches on either side do not have the laurel berries. At the top of the wreath is Coburg Castle and village. The Castle has two spires on the viewer’s left with a large roofed building and a small adjacent pinnacle on the right. The wreath contains the words, “MIT HITLER IN COBURG 1922-1932″ (with Hitler in Coburg 1922-1932). Inside the wreath is a flat field that measures 4 mm, with a raised 0.5 mm line.  The central oval void has a large swastika measuring 16 mm across and the width of the individual arms is 4 mm. From the top of the badge, superimposed over the castle and swastika is a double-edged sword with straight quillons, twisted grip handle and a pronounced ball pommel.

The reverse is plain with a thin hinge and a pin that has a circular retainer and a ‘C’ type hook at the bottom. There is a second version of the badge which is thinner and has the RZM mark on the reverse.

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award is a military service decoration of Nazi Germany issued for satisfactory completion of years in service.

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award (or Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung in German) is a military service decoration of Nazi Germany, which was issued for satisfactory completion of a number of years (12, 18, 25 or 40) in military service.

On 16 March, 1936, Adolf Hitler ordered the institution of service awards for the first four classes. Afterwards, on 10 March, 1939, the 40 years service award was also introduced.

Each branch of the Wehrmacht (air force, army and navy) maintained their own version of the Long Service Award. The decoration was issued for four years (fourth class), 12 years (third class), 18 years (second class), 25 years (first class), and 40 years (1939 special class).

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award Design

The award was designed by Dr Richard Klein, a German artist known for his patriotic work as a medallist from the start of World War I and for his work as a favoured artist of the Nazi regime. Klein was director of the Munich School of Applied Arts and also one of Hitler’s favorite painters. His work was exhibited at the “Great German Art Exhibition” held at the Haus der Kunst in Munich in 1937, including plaques contributed from Adolf Hitler’s private collection.

Recipients of lower Wehrmacht Long Service year awards would wear the decoration simultaneously with higher level decorations in the following manner:

  • 3rd Class with 4th Class
  • 2nd Class with 4th Class
  • 1st Class with 3rd Class

The Long Service Award was retroactive throughout a service member’s career, including Reichswehr service and service during and before World War I. In consequence, there were a handful of 40 year awards presented even when the Nazi era only lasted 12 years, from 1933 to 1945.

The SS Long Service Award (4 Years of Service)

The SS Long Service Awards were given in grades of four years, eight years, twelve years, and twenty-five years of true services in the SS.

The SS Long Service Awards (or SS-Dienstauszeichnungen in German) were given in grades of four years, eight years, twelve years, and twenty-five years as an acknowledgment for faithful and true services of SS members in the SS-Verfügungstruppen (SS Dispositional Troops), SS-Totenkopfverbänden (Death’s Head Units) und SS-Junkerschulen (Junker Schools). It was first introduced by Adolf Hitler on 30 January 1938.

The SS Long Service Award for 4 years of service was the first and lowest class in the hierarchy of the SS long service awards. The 4-year award was specifically given to non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted men, recognizing their service within the SS.

The SS Long Service Awards Grades or Classes

The grades are awarded to the respective ranks as follows:

  • 1st Class (Gold) for 25 years true service awards to eligible Officers, NCO’s and Men
  • 2nd Class (Silver) for 12 years true service awards to eligible Officers, NCO’s and Men
  • 3th Class (Bronze) for 8 years true service awards to eligible Officers, NCO’s and Men
  • 4th Class (Black) for 4 yrs true service for eligible NCO’s and Men.

The four-year and eight-year awards were the most common awards, and despite the fact that the Nazi movement lasted for little over 25 years, awards of the 25-year version were made well before 25 years of actual service were completed. This was because Kampfzeit (or “Time of Struggle”) counted double. Nevertheless, this was one of the rarer awards given out by Nazi Germany.

The SS Long Service Awards Design

The SS service awards were designed in Munich by Professor Karl Diebitsch, an artist and the Schutzstaffel (SS) officer responsible for designing much of the SS regalia in the Third Reich, including the chained SS officer’s dagger scabbard.

On its reverse side, each award had emblazoned the inscription, in German: FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER SS (“For Loyal Service in the SS”). 

The awards varied in design depending on the length of service of the recipient, and the branches of the Wehrmacht (Luftwaffe, Heer and Kriegsmarine) had different insignia. The Nazi Party and German Police also had a similar service award.

The four and eight-year service awards were in the form of circular medals while the 12 and 25-year service awards were in the form of swastikas.  According to historian Chris Ailsby the awards ceased to be given at the end of 1941.

The four-year service award featured a black finish and was exclusively given to non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted men. The use of black enamel and the SS runes emphasized the connection to the SS organization.