 |
WOUND BADGE, 1939
(Verwundeten-Abzeichen, 1939)
With the outbreak of European hostilities on September 1, 1939, the wound badge was
reinstituted effective that same date. Again, the design of the badge underwent
modification, while still holding to the basic motif. The major change was in the helmet,
which was styled after the 1935 pattern steel helmet rather than that of the First World
War.
All military, non-military uniformed formations and later civilians wounded in air
raids, |
| were eligible for the award. It came in three classes --black for
one and two wounds, silver for three and four wounds, and gold for five or more. This
progression was waived in the event of a severe wound such as a loss of a limb or
eye-sight, in which case the silver badge was awarded regardless of the number of wounds
less than three. In the case of death or total disability, the gold badge was awarded. It
could only be awarded as a result of hostile action, the exception being frost-bite. The
black version was normally stamped, with a hollow reverse, and awarded in an envelope
wrapper. The silver and gold badges were normally solid stamped construction, and awarded
in a presentation case. However, as the war progressed, it was not uncommon for the silver
badge to be awarded in an envelope wrapper, and be simply the black Wound Badge painted
silver.
When awarded, an entry was made in the service record, a certificate was issued along
with the badge, and the badge was worn on the lower left pocket below the Iron Cross 1st
class. The Wound Badge ranked below the combat badges worn on the lower left breast
as well. |
Award document for the Wound Badge, 1939.
Please press the
BACK
button on your browser to return to the page from which you came.
|
