The Infantry Assault Badge in Silver was established in the fourth month of the war, specifically on December 20, 1939, and was intended as a “stimulus for the highest fulfillment of duty.” It came in two versions: silver for “members of non-motorized riflemen and mountain-hunting units” and bronze for “members of motorized infantry units.” Similar to the General Assault Badge, it was awarded as a “visible sign of recognition for a reliable infantryman in assault, for three assaults in the front line while advancing with weapons on three different combat days.”
The badge was designed by the firm C.E. Juncker Berlin, measuring 6.2 cm in height and 4.7 cm in width. It was awarded along with a certificate of ownership and was worn on the left side of the chest. The Infantry Assault Badge is a decoration that was quite frequently, yet rightfully, awarded during World War II. It was awarded approximately 941,000 times.
INFANTRY ASSAULT BADGE BY MANUFACTURER B.H. MAYER, PFORZHEIM,
DESIGNED BY FRANK & REIF, STUTTGART.
BOTH MANUFACTURERS USED THE SAME DESIGN; THE ONLY DIFFERENCE LIES IN THE PIN SYSTEM. THIS BADGE IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE HIGHER QUALITY VERSIONS FROM THE EARLIER PERIOD OF THE WAR. THE MATERIAL USED IS TOMBAC.
ZINC MODEL, MANUFACTURER GWL
Some time after the establishment of the Infantry Assault Badge in Silver, on June 1, 1940, the Infantry Assault Badge in Bronze was introduced. This badge was awarded to motorized infantry units, machine gunners, infantry defenders, tank infantry defenders, and even mountain infantry units.
Members of the Air Defense Company became eligible for the badge after February 26, 1941. Members of the Waffen SS began receiving the silver grade after January 1, 1940, or the bronze version immediately after its establishment. Members of the Order Police could earn it only after November 12, 1942.
The Infantry Assault Badge was manufactured using various materials. In the early war period, tombac was used, occasionally aluminum and cupal, and in the later stages of the war, zinc. Hollow and solid versions are known in tombac and zinc. Besides the fact that many manufacturers produced badges without their markings on the back, most manufacturers are known in the collecting world, as the badges differ in design, construction, and especially in the pin systems, which vary. Typically, it is easiest to determine the manufacturer by the pin system.
INFANTRY BADGE IN BRONZE MANUFACTURED BY ADOLF SCHOLZE, GRUNWALD.
INFANTRY ASSAULT BADGE IN BRONZE, MANUFACTURER B.H. MAYER, PFORZHEIM – TOMBAC
Colonel Hugo Schimmel, Lieutenant Colonel Bruno Kahl, Colonel Karl Langesee, and Lieutenant Colonel Friedrich Hoehne photographed at Hitler’s Wolf’s Lair headquarters.
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