Wound Badge History The first ever wound badge in German history was presented during World War I 1939 Wound Badges World War II wound badges were presented in black, silver and gold July 1944 Wound Badge Wound badge presented for the 20th of July assassination attempt on Hitler Wound Badge Index Service Awards Index Wehrmacht-Awards Wehrmacht-Awards.com Index

by Sebastián J. Bianchi

 

Having closed the Condor Legion Wound Badge, Hitler reestablished the Wound Badges on the eve of World War II to recognize those individuals who were wounded in action with the enemy. The reinstitution decree stated that it was...

“..as a mark of honor for all risked their lives for the Fatherland and have been wounded or maimed."

 

All members of the Armed Forces, Police units, and from 1943 on all civilians injured during allied air raids were eligible for the award.  Those individuals killed in action were posthumously awarded the gold grade, which was presented to the next of kin.  Because the World War I Wound Badges were still readily available at the time, these were initially once again modified by adding a swastika onto the helmet.  There are some differences between these and the Condor Legion Wound Badge, however, as the swastika is not as high, has rounder, softer edges, and is not flushed with the helmet.  These are referred to as “Spanish Type” or 1939 1st Type, but they are not to be confused with the Condor Legion Wound Badge.  Though only used temporarily until the new version became available, this type was presented as late as 1942.

A few months after Operation Fall Weiss began the 1939 Wound Badge 2nd type was available and started to be presented.  This version, very similar to its predecessors, was oval with pebbling on the background plate and featured an M35 helmet with a mobile swastika on it.  Behind the helmet were the usual crossed swords, and a wreath of laurels surrounding the badge with a ribbon at the base.  There are slight variations in the measurements of the badges, but the 24 authorized manufacturers were mostly consistent in size.  The Wound badge was presented with a standard document and the appropriate annotations were made in the Soldbuch and Wehrpass.

The black grade was stamped from sheet brass, later steel, and was painted mat or semi-mat. It has a hollow back with a needle pin.  They were rarely stamped (15-20%) with a makers mark, but if one was present it would be on the reverse. 

A wound badge in black, and document presented for it.

Sebastián Bianchi Collection

 

The Silver grade was produced initially from silver-plated brass, and later in the war (1942) from whitewashed zinc. The reverse was solid, with either a needle or fat bellied pin and the manufacturers and silver content marks, if present. Awarded for three or four wounds, it could also be awarded for more serious wounds if such wound included loss of hearing, a hand, a foot, an eye, brain damage, or facial disfigurement.

The gold grade was initially manufactured from gold plated or polished brass (as result of the polishing some of the badges lack pebbling and are almost flat).  The reverse was again solid with the same pin characteristics and marks as the Silver grade. It was awarded for five or more wounds, and was also awarded for serious wounds in cases of total blindness or total disability.  It should be noted that both Silver and Gold badges were also made from gilt-washed zinc as the war progressed.  By 1945, as quality became less important and materials scarce, some black badges were being painted the appropriate color and issued as both silver and gold grades.  In these cases the reverse is almost always hollow.

Sebastián Bianchi Collection

 

The Wound Badge could be presented either in a presentation case or an envelope.  The Silver and Gold grade were normally, though not always, presented in a case and the Black grade was commonly presented in an envelope. The cases, which were similar to the ones used by other awards such as the Iron Cross, were made of wood and covered in simulated leather.  The LDO logo was sometimes stamped on the outside of the lid and the inside base was covered by flocked material while the inside of the lid was covered with white satin.  The envelopes came with the name and class of the award written in gothic script.  The recipient was also presented with a document bearing the proper official signatures and stamps.  All badges were worn on the left pocked of the uniform below any other decorations.

 

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