- Time Period: The Great War
- Institution: 1918
- Country: Germany
The Wound Badge (or Verwundetenabzeichen in German) is a military decoration initially awarded to wounded or frostbitten soldiers of the Imperial German Army during World War I and first promulgated by Wilhelm II, German Emperor on 3 March 1918.
The badge had three classes: Black (3rd class, representing Iron), awarded for those wounded once or twice by hostile action; Silver (2nd class) for being wounded three or four times; and Gold (1st class, could be awarded posthumously) for five or more times wounded. When a severe wound occurred, such as loss of a limb or eyesight, the silver badge was awarded.
The Wound Badge Design
All Wound Badges were made of pressed steel, brass and zinc, and were worn on the lower left breast of the uniform or tunic.
There were 24 approved manufacturers of the Wound Badge. The first Wound Badge is Black and was stamped from sheet brass, painted semi-matte black with a hollow reverse pin back attachment or of solid construction. From 1942 onwards, steel was used to make the badges (Wound Badge 1945). The Wound Badge in silver was made from silver-plated brass and/or lacquered zinc.
The Wound Badge in Gold was a gilded version of the Wound Badge in Silver. In 1957, a revised version of the Wound Badge was authorised for wear; however, the previous type could still be worn if the swastika were removed (for example by grinding).
Wound Badge of 20 July 1944
The 20 July 1944 Wound Badge was only issued to those injured during the failed attempt on Adolf Hitler’s life at the Wolf’s Lair headquarters in Rastenburg, East Prussia. Hitler ordered a special wound badge to be awarded to commemorate the event, as he believed “fate had intervened” for him.
Hitler presented the survivors with the special wound badge as well as a unique award document. The first were in a ceremony on 20 August 1944.
Considered by collectors to be the “Holy Grail” of German WWII medals, this Wound Badge is often reproduced. The best counterfeit versions are correct down to the weight and maker’s marks on the back of the award, which make it very difficult to tell the difference between an original or a fake.
