A thread about the Kampfgruppen

[Mike G.]

Medaille fuer Treue Dienste in den Kampfgruppen der Arbeitklasse (KdA):
<O</OKampfgruppen Faithful Service Medals:

Awarded October 6, 1965 in bronze, silver and gold for service in the Peoples Working Class Militia for service in increments of 10, 15 and 20 years service.

In 1978 a fourth level was added to honor 25 years of service. The medals were worn on the left upper side of the Tunic.

[Mike G.]

Erinnerungsmedaille 20 Jahre Kampfgruppen der Arbeitklasse:
Kampfgruppen 20 year Celebration or Jubilee Medal:
Approved January 31, 1973 as an Anniversary Medal relevant the establishment of the Kampfgruppen in 1953. It was then awarded to all currently actively serving members of the Kampfgruppen, effective September of 1973. The medal is worn on the upper left side of the Tunic.

[Mike G.]

Kampfgruppen Honor Badge:<O></O>

Established in 1970 this badge was similar in concept to “Bester” badges of the other military and para-military branches. Initially it was produced in bronze and silver with Roman Numerals denoting the number of times awarded. In 1975, the numbering system was done away with and the badges were awarded in bronze, silver and gold.

I don't have any of these in my collection and therefore cannot post a reference photo, although good ones have already been posted.

They are the badges that look like red banners. They were worn centered above the right breast pocket.

[Mike G.]

Kampfgruppen Shooting Badges:
Established 1970. Initially the badges were produced in bronze and silver only, with the number of times awarded denoted on the badge in a roman numeral from I to V. In 1975, the numbering system was done away with, and the badges were produced in bronze, silver and gold. The badges were worn centered, on the right breast pocket, below the pocket flap.

[Mike G.]

And finally, we come to the Qualifizierungsabzeichen für Kommandeure der Kampfgruppen:
Kampfgruppen Commander’s Badge:
Instituted in1984 it was authorized for wear by Group Leaders and was positioned above the Honor/Bester Badge on the right side of the Tunic.

Personally, I've never seen a photo with someone actually wearing one of these.

I placed the badge next to a Kampfgruppen shoulder patch for an idea of its size:

[Soviet]

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...sPageName=WDVW

[Mike G.]

Hi Soviet,

Like many countries, including the US, the DDR minted "Limited Edition" Coinage along with the normal Coinage produced. I have some and recently posted examples of them. As I'm not a Coin Collector, I don't know too much about their value. I had heard though, that certain coins were produced in very limited numbers, and among knowledgeable coin collectors, have really attained great monetary value. The Seller of this coin states only 100 of these coins were produced in total. If true, I suppose that would account for the asking price. There were a lot of different East German "Limited Edition" coins minted in different East German Mark denominations, and many are not very expensive and are therefore affordable and nice to collect.

I guess this Kampfgruppen East German 10 Mark Coin is not one of them.

[Soviet]

Just found that picture on Internet.

[Kozlov]

Nice!

[Kozlov]

Can anyone post pictures and description of the kampfgruppen rank structure?

I know its the red bars worn on the sleeve only, but how does it work?

Thanks

Andy

[Garulfo]

Andy : check this website : http://kampfgruppen.de/ : Abzeichen - Rangabzeichen and you'll find what you are looking for.

[Garulfo]

medal and ribbon bars :

[Garulfo]

35th anniversary badge and programme :

[Kozlov]

Thanks for the link!

Go on, more questions:

If the KG only had one uniform, when were medal ribbons vs ribbons vs none worn?

[Kozlov]

Have you seen the battallion standard I've just posted in the e-stand section...