KM Coastal Arty Starfish Badge

[saladin]

Hello All,
I am just looking for some confirmation on a couple of Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Badges that arrived today.
I believe that the star fish badge was removed from a M43 cap during the Normandy battles.
Can anyone confirm the old vets family story? Or better still are there any pictures of the badge in wear?
Many thanks in advance
Doug

[saladin]

And close ups of the starfish badge

[km-spain]

Nice original badge IMO, this one was used by the MMA 204 placed in Oostende area.

Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung 204

Formed 5.40 in Ostende with 6 companies, increased to 8 companies in late 1940 (two from Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung 240). From late 1942 only had 5 batteries, and in 9.43 gave up its 1st and 5th batteries to Marine-Artillerie-Abteilung 203. In 1944 consisted of 2. - 4./MAA204, Batterie Malo Terminus and Batterie St. Pol. Disbanded 10.44, after heavy losses.

Subordinated to Seekdt. Flandern, and from 1941 Seekdt Pas-de-Calais

[saladin]

Thank you Eduardo,
As ever your information is absolutely superb.
I am pleased it turned out to be a good badge.
Many thanks
Best regards
Doug

[JAndrew]

Doug,
I don't collect coastal artillery things but that star fish is a really cool item. Was it worn like the U-Boat crew badges on the bordmutze?
JAndrew

[saladin]

Hello JAndrew,
yes it was worn on the side of the M43 hat and is quite rare.
All the best
Doug

[Dmv]

Wow, Love that patch!

[km-spain]

Hello JAndrew,
yes it was worn on the side of the M43 hat and is quite rare.
All the best
Doug

Doug, usually this was used by EM and NCO on bordmützes, and also on M43 but much rarer as these were used very few.

[saladin]

Thank you Eduardo,
It may explain why the badges came with some additional KM badges. These could have been liberated at about the same time? as the Arty badges

Thanks Dmv, I like the patch as well

All the best
Doug

[DOC_KÜSTENART]

And close ups of the starfish badge

Love that MAA 204 patch.

Here it is maybe the most seen period picture of the starfish in use





And here another starfish sidecap, picture taken in the atlantikwall museum, Ostende.

[saladin]

Great Pictures Doc, here are another two I have found on the web:

[PANZERPIONIERE]

That is a super cool cap badge!
I have never seen one before, that is great!
Steve

[DOC_KÜSTENART]

Casually I have just purchased a very nice MAA 204 portrait, not easy to find.

Here the starfish detail:

[Andy C.]

Great pics Doc, what a terrific badge!! Love the smoked fish pic as well, but my Lord how nice is that Officers M43!!!

[FestungSpanien]

Superb portrait
Very very rare IMO