Kampfsportabzeichen

[Gordon Craig]

The KAMPFSPORTABZEICHEN was introduced in 1972. To be awarded the badge at least three of the obligatory skill tests must be successfully completed for men (two for women). The obligatory skill tests were:
1-400m assault course;
2-3000m run;
3-Uniform swim;
4-Shooting.
One of the optional skill tests must also be passed. The optional skill tests were:
1-Weight lifting;
2-chin-ups.
The badge was made out of non-ferrous metal or sheet steel. They are 26.9mm wide and 35.7mm high. They come in three grades; I, 11, and III. The grade is indicated at the bottom of the badge by one of the three Roman numerals indicated previously. The badges can be found with two sizes of the Roman numerals. Either 2.5mm or 1.7mm high. The badge comes with two different shields under the word KAMPFSPORT. The police star for award to those services under the MdI and the State Emblem for those who are not under the MdI. The background to the word KAMPFSPORT is done in green paint. The badge may be found in two different colours. One in gold and the other with a copper hue. There also at least two different pin configurations. One horizontal across the section of the badge where KAMPFSPORT is written. The other is vertical for almost the entire height of the badge. In their book "Auszeichnungen im Ministerium für Staatssicherheit der DDR" the Feder’s mention that, due to unawareness of stores personnel and the personnel responsible for the awarding of this badge, the NVA badges were sometimes awarded to MdI personnel.


Regards,

Gordon

The first pictures below will be of class III badge in the gold colour with the horizontal clasp and the 2.5mm Roman numerals..

[Gordon Craig]

Next up is the copper coloured badge with the vertical pin. This class II badge has the 1.7mm Roman numerals.

[ironhrt15]

So I have always wondered from what I could pick up from the Bartel book that I have. So the one with the MDI emblem was that for KVP only or for all of the police organs? Then the one with the State emblem was that for MfS or could NVA wear it also? Was it worn by different agencies according to a certain cut-off date or has it been constant? For example, would it go better (more consistent) for a KVP senior NCO tunic to have a Kampfsport as opposed to the DDR sport badge? I know this is a lot I am asking but I have always been curious since I first got them and read about them in Spezialkatalog. I never realised the difference in the gold and bronze colour before, I have 2 bronze and one gold. Any help or info would be great and more than appreciated. Fare thee well..... Chris

[Gordon Craig]

Chris,

The KAMPFSPORT badge with the police star could be worn by any MdI organization. For example-KVP, TRAPO, Feuerwehr etc.
The badge with the state emblem was not for the MdI. Only the one with the Police emblem. Both badges shown here have the police emblem below the KAMPFSPORT lettering.
The KAMPFSPORT badge and the DDR sports badge have different requirements and I do not see any reason why they could not be worn together. The KAMPFSPORT badge could be worn for the time period between 1972 and 1989.

Regards,

Gordon

[ehrentitle]

Gordon, I really appreciate you providing this insight on the Kampfsportabzeichen. I know how much effort it takes to put something like this together in English. It's one of those badges that don't necessarily get the attention it deserves.

[Gordon Craig]

Kevin,

Thanks for your comments. I was lucky enough to pick one that I discovered that I had resources for that appeared to be reasonably accurate. Like most of these things, it took a lot longer to get started, and I am sure you are familiar with this point, than it did to finish the research. As is usual in these things, I learned a lot by doing the article.
To continue to respond to the questions Chris asked, here is a picture of a TRAPO tunic in my collection with one of these badges on it.

Regards,

Gordon

[ironhrt15]

I certainly appreciate all the info and your Trapo tunic pic is very nice. I would have placed on the pocket so it was even better to see it in your picture. I will file all this away when I get all the parts for my KVP tunic and added into the VoPo one also. Fare thee well... Chris

[Gordon Craig]

Chris,

The KAMPFSPORTS badge is where it is, and not on the pocket, because that is where it is worn.

Regards,

Gordon

[Ralph P]

Here is a couple with the state symbol...

[Ralph P]

Ii

[Gordon Craig]

Ralph,

Thanks for posting your pictures. This rounds out the thread nicely. What pin configuration do these KAPFSPORTABZEICHEN have on the back?

Regards,

Gordon

[Ralph P]

Gordon - The backs have the same configuration as the ones you have posted...

[ehrentitle]

Frank Bartel's DDR Spezialkatalog Band II, Auszeichnungen der bewaffneten organe der DDR dated 2009 does an excellent job of identifying the different variants of this badge. The MdI version of the badge has at least 4 variations, of which the type with the horizontal pin is the oldest. The type with the Staatswappen has at 3 variants, again the horizontal pin is the oldest.

[Gordon Craig]

ehrentitle,

That is the one book in my library that I did not consult. Thanks for bringing it up. I'll have to go through it.

Regards,

Gordon