- Time Period: The Great War
- Institution: 1918
- Country: Germany
The Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen in German) was a military decoration of Nazi Germany that was first introduced during World War I to honor soldiers who were wounded in combat. In World War II, the badge was reintroduced with modifications and continued to be awarded to soldiers who sustained injuries in the line of duty.
The Wound Badge 1945, specifically, was instituted on March 22, 1945, during the final months of World War II. This version of the badge was intended to recognize soldiers who were wounded during the last phases of the war, which were characterized by intense fighting as Allied forces advanced into German territory.
After the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, the Wound Badge 1945, like other military decorations of the Third Reich, ceased to be awarded. However, it remains a significant historical artifact, serving as a reminder of the human cost of war and the courage displayed by soldiers in the face of adversity.
The Wound Badge Design
Like its predecessors from World War I and earlier in World War II, the Wound Badge 1945 came in three grades: black, silver, and gold. The black badge was awarded for one or two wounds, the silver badge for three or four wounds, and the gold badge for five or more wounds, injuries resulting in total disability, loss of a limb, or permanent damage due to combat wounds.
The design of the badge remained consistent with earlier versions, featuring a helmet and crossed swords surrounded by an oak leaf wreath. The color of the badge denoted the level of injury sustained, with the black, silver, and gold grades representing increasingly severe wounds.
Recipients of the Wound Badge 1945 were entitled to wear it on the uniform, typically on the upper left breast pocket of the tunic.
More Army/Waffen-SS War Badges
The Army/Waffen-SS war badges were military decorations awarded by Nazi Germany to members of the Army (Heer) and the Waffen-SS. Explore the complete collection below:
