Einzelkämpfer badge

[PASSAUER8884]

Would someone be interested in writing a breif synopsis of the Einzelkämpfer badge and its history? When did it first appear? Conditions for award?

Daniel

[speedytop]

Hi Daniel,

first awarded 1965, only 1 badge.

In the 80s (1989?) different courses with different badges.

Please see here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_commando_course

and here:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einzelk%C3%A4mpferlehrgang

and here, three videos:

http://www.deutschesheer.de/portal/a...x3PwAJzUL4g!!/

Uwe

[Gordon Craig]

Uwe,

The videos are a great edition to our discussion of this subject from a few months ago.

Regards,

Gordon

[PASSAUER8884]

Thank you! Much appriciated!

[Proud Kraut]

I would like to add some more details of the "Einzelkämpferlehrgang I".
Until the late 1980's there was only the "Einzelkämpferlehrgang" (two oak leaves award). This or the Airborne course was mandatory for all combat branch officer candidates. NCO's could complete the course freely.
In the mid 1980's a special 4-weeks training course became part of the officer candidate training for all Army non-combat and combat support branches. This course was then called "Überleben und Durchschlagen". At the beginning there was no badge awarded, although the training was made parallel and simultaneously with the Einzelkämpferlehrgang which was absolved by the combat branch officer candidates at the Airborne and Infantry school. Both courses lasted 4 weeks.
In 1990 it was decided to award a variant of the Einzelkämpferabzeichen (one oak leave) for those, who complete the "ÜleDu" (we called it Dudeldu) succesfully.
Some years later the ÜleDu became the "Einzelkämpferlehrgang I". Since then a second course has to be completed to receive the two oak leave badge.
When I completed the ÜleDu in 1989, I received the plain certificate depicted at the first picture, no badge. One year later I received the second certificate (by mail!) and the badge, that was approved meanwhile.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...6535306530.jpg
http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3234343031.jpg

Lars

[Gordon Craig]

Lars,

Thanks for the background information on these two badges. My reference above was to current regulations. Nice to see pictures of actually awarded certificates for the badges. Thanks for posting them.

Regards,

Gordon

[Proud Kraut]

Lars,

Thanks for the background information on these two badges. My reference above was to current regulations. Nice to see pictures of actually awarded certificates for the badges. Thanks for posting them.

Regards,

Gordon

You are welcome, Gordon and you are absolutely right concerning the current EKL regulations.
I don't know, if this variant was posted before. A hand embroidered EKL I patch on black cloth to wear with the mess uniform (Gesellschaftsanzug).

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3330346331.jpg

Lars

[Gordon Craig]

Lars,

Thanks. This is a new one to me and on the forum I beleive.

Regards,

Gordon

[Guardian 5]

Gents - I'm backing up Gordon here to report that this is indeed the first picture of a hand embroidered Einzelkämpferabzeichen featured on the site.

Danke schoen Lars!

TJ

[Proud Kraut]

Thanks TJ, but this one must have been posted before. I'll add it here for reference as well, the standard EKL II bullion.

http://foto.arcor-online.net/palb/al...3133353235.jpg

Lars