Infantry Assault Badge
| Infantry Assault Badge Infanterie Sturmabzeichen | |
|---|---|
 Infantry Assault Badge in Silver. | |
| Type | Badge |
| Eligibility | Military personnel |
| Campaign(s) | World War II |
| Status | Obsolete |
| Established | December 20, 1939 (Silver grade) June 1, 1940 (Bronze grade). |
The Infantry Assault Badge (German: Infanterie Sturmabzeichen) was a German war badge awarded to Waffen SS and Wehrmacht Heer soldiers during WWII. This decoration was instituted on December 20th 1939 by the Oberstbefehlshaber des Heeres, Generalfeldmarschall von Brauchitsch. It could be awarded to members of non-motorized Infantry units and units of the Gebirgsjäger that had participated in Infantry assaults, with light Infantry weapons, on at least three days of battle in the front line as from January 1st 1940. When a counter offensive led to fighting at short distance, it could also apply. Award of the Infanterie Sturmabzeichen was authorized at regimental command level or above. The first two awards were given to an officer and a enlisted soldier on a special occasion on May 28th 1940, by von Brauchitsch himself. [1][2]
Classes
Silver
The silver class was instituted on December 20, 1939 by the commander of the OKH, Walther von Brauchitsch, and was awarded to infantry soldiers according to one of the following criteria:[3]
- To have taken part in three or more infantry assaults.
- To have taken part in three or more infantry counter-attacks.
- To have taken part in three or more armed reconnaissance operations.
- To have engaged in hand-to-hand combat in an assault position.
- To have participated on three separate days in the restitution of combat positions.
Bronze
The bronze class was instituted on June 1, 1940. It was awarded to motorized Panzer troops according to the following criteria:
- To have taken part in three or more motorized infantry assaults.
- To have taken part in three or more motorized infantry counter-attacks.
- To have taken part in three or more motorized armed reconnaissance operations.
- To have been engaged in hand-to-hand combat in motorized assault positions.
- To have participated on three separate days in the restitution of a motorized combat position.
Maker's Marks
1, 2, 3, 4, Assmann, BSW, CW, DH Aurich, Franke & Reif, FO, FLL, FZS, G&W, GWL, H, JB & Co., JFS, L/10, L/18, L/51, L/53, L/56, L/61, MK 1, MK 2, MK 3, MK 4, MK 5, MK 6, MK 7, R.S., RSS, S.H.u.Co 41, W.H., ÜÜ Wiedmann.[4]
Design
The badge was designed by the company C. E. Junker of Berlin. It is oval in shape, with four oak leaves on each side; on the top is an eagle standing on a swastika and there is a rifle across the badge. The reverse of the badge is plain and has a pin attached to it. With the institution of the Ordensgesetz of 1957, German military personnel were permitted to wear de-nazified versions of German decorations. Also the Infanterie- Sturmabzeichen was produced from 1957 as a de-nazified version in Silver and Bronze, without the eagle and the Swastika.