HJ Proficiency badge question

[lach470]

Hi guys...
I've heard that these proficiency badges were awarded in three grades (A,B and C) and that they were labelled that way on the rear top left side of the "arrow"....I have such a badge but instead of there being one of these letters, there is a 6 (or 7) digit number.
What does that mean? Were these numbers individually issued to recipients?
Thanks for any info you can give me. I'd post the number but I am at work right now (shhhh) and don't have the badge with me.
Thanks again for any info you can throw my way.

Rob

[lach470]

Anyone???? I'd love to hear that these numbers were individually issued. If so, it would be cool to find out who it would have been issued to - not that I know of any way someone could find that out!!!

Anyways....hope someone can help me on this one.
Thanks
Rob

[colin davie]

Firstly there are 3 different types of these HJ proficiency badge, the first is the Leistungsabzeichen des Deutschen Jungvolks, this is commonly refered to as a DJ sports badge and is in the shape of a sieg-rune, the rune shape that can be found on the side of SS helmets etc. These are silver badges and were issued to 10-14 year olds. Sporting activities played the greater part of the tests for all of these badges, but the tests also included knowledge of political doctrine as well as official HJ, NSDAP and Traditional songs etc.
The second type, Leistungsabzeichen des Hitler-Jugend is in the shape of a Tyr-rune, an arrow pointing skyward, and this badge can be found in three different types, iron(black with silver lettering), bronze and silver. These were for HJ aged 15, 16 and 17 respectively, these are commonly refered to as HJ sports badges, but again there were more to the tests than just sport.
The 3rd type which is gold and enamelled is similar to the 2nd but larger and of a far superior quality,made of two parts, this is the badge for HJ leaders.
Everyone was issued with a proficiency record book - (Leistungsbuch) - this would be filled in as the member went along through his time in the HJ, as a badge was earned the number of the issued badge would be entered in the proficiency book at the correct page for that badge, additional badges could be purchased, either in shops on showing of the book or direct from HJ headquarters, in the latter casse payment being made in the form of postage stamps. These official additional or replacement badges are marked on the back with a capital letter "B" .
Though it is printed in some post war reference books that there are A, B and C marked badges, there are not, there are only B marked badges. Some Leistungsbuch types refer to the different age groups as A,B,C as do some of the test papers given on the day. I surmise that someone put 2 and 2 together and came up with 6.
Sadly because this ABC thing is mentioned in these reference books trying to convince some people that A and C badges are'nt there is like pulling teeth, but period proof is commonly available to those that take the time to read it.
These badges could all be bought in miniature form and cloth form in the same way as the B type badges.
C.

[colin davie]

Here is a related thread going over the old ground.
C
http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=leistungsbuch
Enjoy your badge they have always been one of my favorites.

[lach470]

Hey Colin....

Thanks so much for the information. I was aware of the "B" being the store bought replacement badge. My example does not have the "B", rather it has a number on it (top left hand side of the arrow). I surmise that these numbers were individually issued to individual HJ members. In other words there were no two numbers alike. That being said, would you be aware of a database (internet based or otherwise) where I might be able to find the name of the recipient of this specific badge? I'm sure the answer is NO....but it's worth asking. It would be neat to pin a name to the badge and then do some further research on the individual.
Thanks again for the help.

Rob

[colin davie]

There is no list that I know of and I seriously doubt one exists anymore, the badge you have is a numbered, so is the type that was issued, sometimes if a collector is lucky he gets a group of items from the recipient with the corresponding numbers matching on both the badge and book, it's the best you can hope for.
C

[lach470]

Thanks for the heads up Colin. I figured this database was non-existent....that's too bad. Thanks again for the information! It's much appreciated.
Rob

[pcord74]

I know that they issued the HJ iron, silver and bronze, in medal and cloth versions to coincide with the metal version (black w/ white background for iron class; white w/ black background for silver and bronze w/ white background for bronze class). My question is I own a silver DJ metal badge, but I noticed the DJ cloth version is black with a white background. If the HJ used the cloth versions to mimic the metal badges, black with white background signified the iron class, does that hold true that the DJ version would also depict an iron class version? I never have seen a white w/ black background version for DJ.

[pcord74]

any ideas?

[colin davie]

Peter if you look inside the Leistungsbuch for these badges, whilst the HJ versions are described as Iron, Bronze and Silver the DJ badge is not described in any coloured grade, merely Leistungsabzeichen des Deutschen Jungvolks as apposed to HJ=Leistungsabzeichen in Eisen etc.

The DJ cloth version is mostly encountered on the white sports vest, so it would make sense to go with black badge on white background, Robert Noss posted a superb photo of it being worn, the photo of the boys throwing their HJ knives at a tree.

Come to think of it though DJ badges in metal are pretty subdued, so that fits in with black badge on white background too, which is also how it's depicted on the cover of the Leistungsbuch.
Never really thought about it before because these badges were'nt designated a colour in official terms.
C

[pcord74]

Thanks Colin,
I have seen some of the DJ badges sold on other sites in 3 grades, I found it odd. I always thought there was the only one that was silver in color.

[Garry M.]

There was only one level of the DJ achievement badge. The cloth patches were made for all levels of the achievement badge series (less BDM and JM) and those who met the requirements for the award of the badges received the large badge, a mini for wear on civilian clothing and a cloth patch for wear on the sports vest (lower left of the vest with the lower point of the diamond three fingers width above the waistband of the shorts. However, you will also see the patch applied to the shorts too as you can see on the pic. This went against regulations but it clearly happened as you can see on the pic. (source):

[pcord74]

Wow, great pic, Garry. Thanks very much for the information, much appreciated.

[JC ESQ.]

I've got a quick question that I didn't think worthy of a new thread so am just hijacking this, if a boy was awarded the DJ badge but then went into the HJ, could he still wear the DJ badge until he received another?

Cheers

JC