German Frogmen

[JerryW]

I was curious if anyone has any information about the Abzeichen awarded to German Frogmen in WW2. Can anyone post a picture of a real one? Thanks in advance.

JerryW

[W. C. Stump]

THE ONLY GOOD ONE

Here is a photo of the reported original example. The main feature is there are no "ribbing" on the fins of the dolphin as are on the 1957 variations and the reproductions. Photo credited to Dr. K. G. Klietmann and badge reported as made by the firm of C. E. Junker.

[JerryW]

Thanks for the picture. I was not aware there was a 1957 version of this Abzeichen. It is interesting that there was no swaz in the original. Are the 57' versions easy to come by? Any information would be helpful.

I was lucky to meet a couple of these guys in 1990 at a reunion. I was not into collecting at the time, but was able to get the book Einzelkaempfer auf See autographed by about 35 of the remaining frogmen. A number of them had come from the former DDR and had not seen their comrades in the west in many years.

JerryW

[W. C. Stump]

Originally posted by JerryW
Thanks for the picture. I was not aware there was a 1957 version of this Abzeichen. It is interesting that there was no swaz in the original. Are the 57' versions easy to come by? Any information would be helpful.

I was lucky to meet a couple of these guys in 1990 at a reunion. I was not into collecting at the time, but was able to get the book Einzelkaempfer auf See autographed by about 35 of the remaining frogmen. A number of them had come from the former DDR and had not seen their comrades in the west in many years.

JerryW

I should have said post war versions rather than a 1957 version. I don't know for sure if this badge was included in the authorized 1957 reissued badges. What is for sure is most of the examples look like this one here attached.

[Gordon Williamson]

This is the only verified original I have ever heard of or seen.
Although it looks gold, thats only the photo. It is in fact the silver grade.





Photos courtesy of Detlev Niemann

This award was indeed authorised and made once again in the 1957 series of awards. Many 1957 versions are around with the correct flat type pin added, and spurious marks such as L/12, L/56 etc, but all have the tell-tale ribbing to the sawfish fins.

[Mike Coleman]

It is interesting that the details of the rope - especially the cut out areas - are different on the photo from Klietmann and the photo from Mr. Williamson. That would make one conclude that at least two sets of dyes were made and probably two manufacturers. They are also different from the post war version so it does not look like one is an altered badge. The war time badges in the photos also seem to lack the gill detail of the post war version.
Mike C.

[Jos L C]

Hello Gordon,
I'm still a bit puzzled...
These badges were zink,right ?
Why do they have the "buntmetal hinge and catch" on them ?
Or is there a buntmetal version ?

Jos.

[Gordon Williamson]

Jos,

There is no relationship between the metal used in a badge and its hinge/pin fitting. The First Pattern U-Boat Clasp is zinc and has a buntmetal hinge/pin, so do many other awards. Nothing strange there.

If I recall correctly, the piece that Detlev had was a "Musterstücke" and was from the property of Ottfried Neubecker, the designer of the badge. I can't recall what metal it was.