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Tag: Nazi Germany

The Close Combat Clasp

The Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange) was instituted on 25 November 1942, during WW2, for participation in hand-to-hand fighting.

The Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange in German) was a war badge awarded to Waffen SS and Wehrmacht Heer soldiers during World War II. Established on November 25, 1942, the Close Combat Clasp was awarded to German soldiers who displayed exceptional bravery and skill in close combat situations, treet fighting, or other situations where the use of firearms was impractical or ineffective. This included combat actions within buildings, trenches, or other confined spaces where the enemy was engaged at close range.

To be eligible for the Close Combat Clasp, soldiers had to meet certain requirements, including demonstrating individual bravery and skill in close combat situations. These engagements were often intense and dangerous, requiring quick thinking, physical strength, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.

The Close Combat Clasp was one of many military decorations instituted by the Nazi regime during World War II to honor acts of bravery and valor among its soldiers. Despite its association with a regime responsible for some of the greatest atrocities in human history, the award itself remains a significant historical artifact.

The Close Combat Clasp Design

The clasp was made of bronze, silver, or gold, with varying criteria determining which level of award a soldier received. For instance:

  • The bronze clasp was awarded for 15 days of close combat.
  • The silver clasp for 25 days of close combat.
  • The gold clasp for 50 days or more of close combat engagements.

The award was typically worn on the upper left pocket and above the ribbon bar. Individuals would only wear one (the highest level they had received).

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:

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The Spanish Cross (Nazi Germany)

The Spanish Cross was a military decoration awarded by Nazi Germany to members of the German Condor Legion in the Spanish Civil War.

The German Spanish Cross (Spanienkreuz) was a military decoration awarded by Nazi Germany to members of the German Condor Legion who had served in the Spanish Civil War, which took place from 1936 to 1939. The Condor Legion was a unit of the German Luftwaffe (air force) that provided support to Francisco Franco’s Nationalist forces during the conflict.

The German Spanish Cross came in two classes:

  1. Spanish Cross in Bronze (Spanienkreuz in Bronze): This version of the award was given for service in Spain without combat action. It featured a Maltese cross with a central swastika and a laurel wreath. The cross had a bronze finish.

  2. Spanish Cross in Silver with Swords (Spanienkreuz in Silber mit Schwertern): This higher-class version was awarded for actual combat action in Spain. It featured the same design as the bronze cross but had a silver finish, and crossed swords were added behind the swastika to denote combat service.

The Spanish Cross Design

The Spanish Cross had a Maltese cross shape, which is a type of cross characterized by arms of equal length that widen as they extend outward from the center. This shape is often associated with military medals.

In the center of the cross, there was a black swastika, which was a prominent symbol of the Nazi regime.

Surrounding the central swastika, there was a laurel wreath. Laurel wreaths are traditional symbols of victory and honor, and they were often used in military decorations to signify achievement.

In the Spanish Cross in Silver with Swords, two crossed swords were positioned behind the swastika. These crossed swords indicated that the recipient had been awarded the medal for combat service in Spain.

The cross itself had a silver finish, which distinguished it from the lower-ranking Spanish Cross in Bronze, which had a bronze finish.

The Sea Battle Badge of the Luftwaffe

The Sea Battle Badge was a German award instituted in 1944 and given to crews of Luftwaffe supply ships, air/sea rescue launches, and vessels.

The Sea Battle Badge was a German award instituted in 1944 and given to crews of Luftwaffe supply ships, air/sea rescue launches, and other special vessels (working on the surface). It’s worth mentioning that Germany had no aircraft carriers or a navy air branch. 

The eligibility criteria were quite broad: Any military or civilian Luftwaffe personnel as eligible – as long as they were not also awarded another badge. There were a number of days at sea required, however:

  • Leaders and crew of supply ships: 60 days in the North or East sea, between 5 and 20 degrees longitude and south of the 60th degree of latitude or 20 days in the Mediterranean, including the Aegean and the Black Sea.
  • Leaders and crew of air and sea rescue boats: 20 days with a minimum of one rescue attempt or a three-hour sea duration each day, or 10 days with a successful rescue.

The badge has the Luftwaffe eagle and a swastika with a 30-degree-tilted sea vessel in the center, all surrounded by a gilt wreath made of oak leaves. 

More Luftwaffe War Badges

Awarded to members of the German Luftwaffe for their achievements and contributions to air warfare, the Luftwaffe War Badges symbolized excellence, courage, and skill in aerial combat and support roles. Explore the complete collection below:

See all war badges >

The Glider Badge of the Luftwaffe

The Glider Badge of the Luftwaffe was a German award instituted in 1940 and awarded to pilots who had done the glider training course.

The Glider Badge of the Luftwaffe was a German award instituted in 1940 and awarded to pilots who had done the glider training course. 

The badge consists of an eagle in flight, with wings spread and spanning the full width of the insignia, and a swastika on top of a circular wreath made of silver oak leaves (unlike other Luftwaffe badges, it’s only oak ones). The Glider Badge was usually made of aluminum, nickel-silver, zinc, or tombak. There was also a cloth version of it. 

More Luftwaffe War Badges

Awarded to members of the German Luftwaffe for their achievements and contributions to air warfare, the Luftwaffe War Badges symbolized excellence, courage, and skill in aerial combat and support roles. Explore the complete collection below:

See all war badges >

The Radio Operator Badge of the Luftwaffe

The Radio Operator Badge of the Luftwaffe was a German award given to radio and gunner qualified personnel with training or operations.

The Radio Operator Badge of the Luftwaffe was a German award given to radio operators, gunners, and mechanics (qualified personnel) that had succeeded in the training course (two months at least) and had at least five operational flights. These criteria was shortened if the recipient had been wounded in action.

This badge was later replaced by the Gunner and Flight Engineer Badge of the Luftwaffe. 

The badge is shaped like an oval and shows an eagle carrying two crossed lightning bolts in its claws. There is also a swastika and a wreath made of oak and laurel leaves. The Radio Operator badges were usually made of different metals such as tombak, silver-nickel, pot metal, and zinc. There was also a cloth version authorized later that has silver wire embroidery. 

More Luftwaffe War Badges

Awarded to members of the German Luftwaffe for their achievements and contributions to air warfare, the Luftwaffe War Badges symbolized excellence, courage, and skill in aerial combat and support roles. Explore the complete collection below:

See all war badges >

The Air Gunner and Flight Engineer Badge of the Luftwaffe

The Air Gunner and Flight Engineer Badge was a German award given to Luftwaffe flight engineers, air gunners, and aircrew meteorologists.

The Air Gunner and Flight Engineer Badge was a German award given to (and worn by) Luftwaffe flight engineers, air gunners, and aircrew meteorologists. The requirement was to complete two months of training or to have participated in five operational flights. 

The badge could be awarded at an earlier stage if the recipient had suffered wounds during an operational flight. 

The badge shows an eagle in flight. At the bottom is a swastika. The design is surmounted by a wreath of laurel leaves and oak leaves (the wreath is made of silver). 

The first Air Gunner badges were made in tombak, although there are also examples in kreigsmetal and zinc. The eagle was sometimes made of aluminum and the wreath zinc. 

More Luftwaffe War Badges

Awarded to members of the German Luftwaffe for their achievements and contributions to air warfare, the Luftwaffe War Badges symbolized excellence, courage, and skill in aerial combat and support roles. Explore the complete collection below:

See all war badges >

The Observer Badge of the Luftwaffe

The Observer Badge of the Luftwaffe was a German award for qualifying service established in 1935 and instituted in 1936.

The Observer Badge of the Luftwaffe was a German award for qualifying service established in 1935 (provisions) and instituted in 1936. It was one of the first set of badges for which Reichsmarchall Göring gave specifications. 

The badge was awarded after completing two months of qualifying service and five operational flights as an observer, or if the recipient was wounded while posted as an observer (before completing the 5 flights). 

It’s not known how many Observer badges were awarded. The shape is oval and slightly convex. An eagle is over-imposed on a wreath of laurel leaves (on the right) and oak leaves (on the left). The material used for the Observer badge were tombac, aluminum, and zinc. Measures can vary slightly according to the manufacturer.

More Luftwaffe War Badges

Awarded to members of the German Luftwaffe for their achievements and contributions to air warfare, the Luftwaffe War Badges symbolized excellence, courage, and skill in aerial combat and support roles. Explore the complete collection below:

See all war badges >

The Retired Pilot Badge of the Luftwaffe

The Retired Pilot Badge of the Luftwaffe was a German award given to personnel honorably discharged from their flying duties.

The Retired Pilot Badge of the Luftwaffe was a German award given to personnel honorably discharged from their flying duties. The badge was instituted on 26 March 1936 as the Flyer’s Commemorative Badge by the Minister of Aviation and the Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe. 

The badge was awarded to pilots, observers, air gunners, and paratroopers of the Luftwaffe. It’s estimated that only 800 of these badges were created. They were awarded only before the outbreak of the war. 

The Retired Pilot Badge features an eagle perched on top of a large rock and it surmounted o a wreath of oak leaves. While the wreath was usually polished silver, the eagle had an oxidized look and was darker. Earlier badges were produced in silver and aluminum, with lower quality ones issued as replacements (these are not official, however). 

Retired Pilot Badge Design

The Retired Pilot Badge features an eagle perched on top of a large rock and it surmounted o a wreath of oak leaves. While the wreath was usually polished silver, the eagle had an oxidized look and was darker.

Earlier badges were produced in silver and aluminum, with lower quality ones issued as replacements (these are not official, however). 

More Luftwaffe War Badges

Awarded to members of the German Luftwaffe for their achievements and contributions to air warfare, the Luftwaffe War Badges symbolized excellence, courage, and skill in aerial combat and support roles. Explore the complete collection below:

See all war badges >

The Pilot Badge of the Luftwaffe

The Pilot Badge of the Luftwaffe was a WW2 German award instituted in 1935 by Reichsmarchall Hermann Göring.

The Pilot Badge of the Luftwaffe was a German award instituted in 1935 by Reichsmarchall Hermann Göring. 

The badge can be found made in several different materials; for example, nickel-silver, aluminium, plated allow, lacquered zinc, etc. The versions made before the ear (and in the early stages of it) tend to be of higher quality, while the later Pilot badges are made of alloys and aluminium (the ones made of this material, which was deemed inadequate, are rarer and more valuable). 

The Pilot Badge shows a massive swooping eagle that is clutching a swastika in its talons. Both are superimposed on a wreath made of laurel leaves on the left and oak leaves o the right. 

More Luftwaffe War Badges

Awarded to members of the German Luftwaffe for their achievements and contributions to air warfare, the Luftwaffe War Badges symbolized excellence, courage, and skill in aerial combat and support roles. Explore the complete collection below:

See all war badges >

The Air Crew Badge of the Luftwaffe

The Air Crew Badge of the Luftwaffe was a WW2 German award and one of the earliest flight related badges of the air program.

The Air Crew Badge was a German award and one of the earliest flight-related badges in the country. The badge was used in the infancy of Germany’s air program. It rewarded pilots and crew members of the German Air Sports Association. It’s hard to tell when the badge was implemented, exactly, but it has been in use since 1933.

Because the Luftwaffe was banned by the Versailles treaty, the Association became a cover to the banned German Air Force until April 1st, 1935. That’s when the Luftwaffe gained official sanction.

The Air Crew Badge became the official Pilot-Observer badge of the Luftwaffe on January 19th, 1935 and was soon replaced by a newer version and then removed from circulation.  This makes it one of the most difficult and rarest of all the Luftwaffe badges. 

More Luftwaffe War Badges

Awarded to members of the German Luftwaffe for their achievements and contributions to air warfare, the Luftwaffe War Badges symbolized excellence, courage, and skill in aerial combat and support roles. Explore the complete collection below:

See all war badges >