Germanic
Proficiency Runes Badge – Bronze
- Silver Class.
Germanische Leistungsrune (der SS) Bronze Klasse, (der SS) Silber Klasse.
Instituted on. 15 August 1943
Known Makers – Un- marked
Rarity – Extremely Rare,
Extremely Rare.
Germanic Proficiency Runes Badge – Bronze- Reverse.
GermanicProficiencyRunes Badge – Silver - Obverse.
GermanicProficiencyRunes Badge – Silver - Reverse.
The firm of Kremnitz, in the
Protectorate, was reportedly the only maker of these badges, which is produced
from fine zinc, which has as a design, two victory runes of the SS superimposed
upon a mobile swastika. The swastika measures 46.5 mm across the legs with the
individual leg measuring 8mm. These have a raised edge line with 3 similar ones
1 mm apart. The runes measure 28.5 mm tip to tip and 9.5 mm at the widest
point. They are produced from bronze that is silvered with a black opaque
enamelled field. These badges had no markings of any kind on the reverse, and
had a semi-broad standard pin with barrel hinge and flat C type hook at the
base. All the components of the hinge pin and hook are produced from bronze.
The enamelled runes were fastened to the badge with two pins per rune,
flattened over on the reverse. It has
been reported that there are two variations, defined as A and B types, which
are determined by the reverse of the sun wheel being flat and the pins that
attach the Runes slightly shorter on A type badges. There is another type that
is even rarer. This is slightly larger and is not as valued as the A and B
types. The reverse shows more differences, the runes are attached by small
rivets and at the center are the impressed boxed SS runes. This badge was produced
by the firm Otto Gahr. The badge in question came with its Proof book, photos
and some 270 personal letters.
Himmler officially introduced the German Proficiency Runes on 15August 1943. It was instituted in two grades, bronze and silver, with a higher standard required for the attainment of the silver.He wanted an award that would be available to both the General SS in Germany and the Germanic SS abroad. No proficiency badge was available for all branches of the Germanic SS and in fact only in Holland had any SS sports badges been introduced at all. In the institution document he stated that it “should be an example in physical training and tests in the use of weapons in the National Socialist spirit, and confirmation of the voluntary attainment of the Germanic joint destiny”. His rational for such an award was mullty faceted.His desire was to encourage SS men to be athletically fit, with their minds attuned to Nazi ideology. For the essentially non – combatant SS members, to stimulate a competitive interest in basic military training.On a more grandiose plain he aimed at strengthening the pan – Germanic idea within the entire political SS organization.
It was presented with an exam
record book and worn in the centre of the left breast pocket of the service
uniform.
The design was to appeal
ostensibly to the Germanic SS, being the formation sign of the “Wiking”
division of the Waffen – SS, and later adopted by the entire III. Germanic SS
Panzer Corps, which was made up largely of volunteers from the Germanic
countries. Records show only awards in
Holland, Denmark and Norway, with one presentation ceremony known for these
three countries. Although there may have been others later in the war. Exams
were held in the Beneshau/Prague area of Czechoslovakia, but it is not known if
official award ceremonies were held. It
is possible that the Runes were awarded to members of the Flemish SS, but as
this formation was on the decline in 1944, none of its members received them.
In Holland; several thousand
applied to undergo the tests, however only 95 passed, giving rise to the first
awards being made on 1st, February 1944 at the Dutch SS School Avegoor. near
Arnheim. The Higher SS and Police Leader in Holland, SS-Obergruppenführer
Rauter, greeted Himmler. Also present were Reichskommissar Seyss-Inquart,
leader of the N.S.B. Mussert, and Chief of the SS-Hauptamt, SS-Obergruppenführer
und General der Waffen-SS Berger. Himmler presented the badges, carried on a
board by an Unterscharführer from the "Germania" regiment of the
"Wiking" SS division. Himmler, who then promoted the Dutch Volunteer
Legion to a grenadier brigade SS-Grenadier- brigade “Nederland”, in particular
delivered a speech praising the achievements of the Dutch SS and the “Westland”
regiment. It is interesting to note that the presentation pillows held 9 silver
and 45 bronze on the left and 45 bronze on the right.
Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler speeks with Anton Mussert, Dr. Seyss-Inquart, Reichskommissar in Holland, is behind. To the right is SS-Obergruppenführer Karl Demelhuber .
The first award ceremony of the Germanic Proficiency Runes held at the Dutch SS School Avegoor on 1st February 1944. from left to right, SS-Gruppnführer Gotlob Berger, Chief of the SS-Hauptamt, Reichsführer Heinrich Himmler, Dr. Seyss-Inquart, Reichskommissar in Holland, Anton Mussert, Leader of the N.S.B and Henk Feldmeijer, Vooman of the Dutch SS.
SS-Hauptsturmführer Johannes Tjapko wearing the Germanic Proficiency Runes and Feldmeijer in field-grey uniform.
SS-Untersturmführer wearing the Germanic Proficiency Runes in Silver.
In Denmark the presentation was
made on 2nd June 1944, at a memorial ceremony for the Danish SS volunteers
killed in action, at Hovelte by the Chief of the SS-Hauptamt.
SS-Obergruppenführer und General der Waffen-SS Berger. The test schedule had
been timed so that the results would be ready for this ceremony. Berger spoke
of the Danish SS volunteers killed in action, and how "their spirits could
rest in peace knowing that new columns of Germanic fighters stood behind
them." He stated that it was in the memory of the dead Danish SS
volunteers and in their spirit that the first Germanic Proficiency Runes were
being awarded on Danish soil.
The Higher SS and Police Leader
in Norway, SS-Obergruppenführer Rediess, acting upon instructions from Himmler
on 16th August 1944, presented the awards in Norway. The ceremony was held at
the Norwegian SS School; also present at the ceremony were SS-neststandartfØrer Riisnæs, and the leader of the Germanische
Leitstelle in Norway, SS-Sturmbannführer Leib. Once the commander of the
Norwegian SS School had bade his guests welcome, Rediess spoke of the badge's
meaning, and how the 25 recipients, ten in silver and fifteen in bronze, had,
though their behaviour, been a good example to their comrades in the Germanic
SS, and to the youth of Norway.
Himmler having decided upon
instituting the Germanic Proficiency Runes, he delegated to Berger and his SS –
Hauptamt the task of devising the badges attainment rules and regulations. These were published on 15 July 1943 and the
introduction proclaimed,
“Regulations for the award of the
Germanic Proficiency Runes. The Germanic
Proficiency Runes shall be awarded to those that have distinguished themselves
in sports competions and shown spiritual maturity and sound personal thinking
in the ideological field. It can be won by German and other Germanic men.
To be qualified for the Germanic
Proficiency Runes one must fulfil the regulations laid down in the following
three categories:
(1)
Individual achievement;
(2)
Team achievement;
(3)
Test in theoretical education (ideology).
The award shall be made by the
Chief of the SS – Hauptamt following consultation with the Reichsführer –
SS. Recipients of the Germanic
Proficiency Runes receive at the same time a diploma witnessing the award.
Those that wish to try for the
Germanic Proficiency Runes and are not members of the Germanic SS, nor
aspirants in that organization, must hold a political leaders card issued by an
SS service centre to be able to join a preparation course. The test for the Germanic Proficiency Runes
requires a preparation of three weeks.
Applicants must then take part in a course laid down for the attainment
of the Proficiency Runes, or be able to complete 120 satisfactory hours of
training, which must not be spread over more than six consecutive months.
The test shall be carried out by
a fully qualified representative of the SS – Hauptamt, Instruction Section,
assisted by two members of a Germanic SS service centre. The Proficiency Runes shall be worn on the
left side of the uniform, more correctly with service dress.
The Chief of the SS – Hauptamt
can from time to time insist that the tests be taken again. Those unable to achieve the requirements, or
who do not take part, forfeit the badge.
It is at the discretion of the Chief
of the SS – Hauptamt whether or not the badge shall be withdrawn on account of
minor infringements or for other reasons.
Berlin, July 15th,
1943.
Reichsführer – SS
Chief of SS – Hauptamt
(signed) Berger.
His introduction ended by
referring to the rules and regulations for the attainment of the badge that had
been prepared by the SS-Hauptamt.
Requirements for the Award of the
Germanic Proficiency Runes
GROUP I: INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE
(Each test to be judged
separately).
A: PHYSICAL TESTS
MINIMUM
REQUIREMENTS
No. TEST BRONZE SILVER DRESS
1. 400 meter sprint 72.5secs. 68 secs. Sports kit
2. Long jump 4 meters 4.75 meters Sports kit
3 Grenade throw 35 meters 45 meters Sports kit
Tests 1-3 must be carried out
during a single day
4. Choice of exercises. * *
Riding, motor sport, winter sports, etc
* To pass this unspecified test
satisfactorily, the applicant must fulfil the conditions required for the award
of the National Sports Badge ("Reichssportabzeichen"), or receive a
certificate for solo flying, or pass with distinction in riding, motor sport,
winter sports, etc.
5. Swimming 300 meters 12 mins. 9 mins. Sports kit
Tests 1-5 to be performed
following normal competition rules.
B: DEFENCE SPORTS
6. Free hand shooting with small
calibre, 10 shots prone, 50 meters from target. 2 test shots allowed which are
shown separately. Shooting on a new instruction target for each shot. Time
limit of 10 minutes- shots fired after time is up invalidate the test.
40 points 60 points Service uniform
7. Field Exercises:
(a) Description of a terrain;
judgment of a terrain for a particular purpose e.g. approach possibilities.
Good Excellent Service uniform
(b) Estimation of 3 distances (near,
intermediate, far); estimation of 2 distances sideways. 3 satisfactory
estimates (margin of error allowed 30%)
(c) Orientation following points
in the terrain; knowledge of the elementary rules in the use of map and
compass.
Good Excellent
(d) Description of terrain and
passing on of information (moving up in a terrain that can be observed by the
enemy).
Good Excellent
(e) Camouflage against detection
by the enemy according to the principle of "See and not be seen”;
observation and description of objective.
Good Excellent
Tests 6 and 7: carried out during
a temporary stay or training period in the respective SS school. The men are
tested one at a time on selected positions of the terrain.
Test 7 (a) to (e) may be omitted
by candidates that have completed six months military service.
GROUP II: TEAM PERFORMANCE
On the basis of individual
performance the training leaders (invigilators) select teams of 4 to 6 men.
A: PHYSICAL TESTS
8. 100 meter relay 17
secs. 14.5 secs. Sports kit
9. Rope climbing 12 secs. 9 secs. Sports kit
Test 9: Norwegian: Each team has
two 5 meter long ropes that hang free. 80 cms. apart. Each man climbs the first
rope, changes over to the other, and lowers himself down on it.
Dutch: Each team has to climb
three 5 meter long ropes, which are suspended, from a carrying frame 60 cms.
apart. The men have to climb up one rope, touch the carrying frame. And then
descend by the other.
Mutual assistance was permitted
in Test 9.
10. 110 meter obstacle race with
grenade throw. 60 secs. 50 secs.
Service uniform
Obstacles: Canal: 3 meters long. 1 meter deep.
Wall: 2 meters high.
Crawling obstacle: 0.50 meters high. 4 meters long.
Climbing obstacle: (cross beams) 0.90 meters high.
Defence trenches: on the 110 meter finishing line.
Throwing target: a crater 5 meters in diameter the centre
of which is 20 meters from the finishing line.
Width of path and obstacles: 4
meters.
Time calculation is to allow for
throwing the hand-grenades. The men
start in closed formation equipped with 3 grenades each, and mutual assistance
is permitted. The grenades are to be thrown from cover, and the men are
permitted to get up on their knees for a moment to throw the grenades. The race
finishes as soon as the last participant is standing upright in the shelter
having thrown his last grenade.
11. 2,000 meter cross-country. 10 mins 8 mins
Service uniform.
Each team has to cover a distance
of 2,000 meters in closed formation in as short a time as possible. Mutual assistance may be given.
12. 30 kilometer march with obstacles. 9.5 hours 9.5 hours Service uniform.
The march is divided as follows:
0.75 along paths; 0.25 across terrain.
Programme:
(1) departure 3 hours before
sunrise; night march of about 15 kilometers.
(2) putting up camp with tent
constructing cooking facilities; technical skills; training breaking up camp; 3
hours allowed which must be carefully observed.
(3)
return march including overcoming terrain
obstacles. The last 5 kilometers of the
march to be in closed formation.
(4)
March equipment.
GROUP III: PHILOSOPHY.
13. written (choice of subject).
Time Limit: 2 hours. At the Dutch SS school Avegoor the choice of subject was
as follows:
(1)
“Our enemies”.
(2)
“Being a Germanic and becoming one”.
(3)
“People and Fartherland”.
Good Excellent.
14. oral group discussion on the
National Socialist them. Test covers the same subjects as Test 13.
Good Excellent.
If the candidate does not comply
with the condition as laid down above, he may re-apply for the Germanic
Proficiency Runes in six months' time after further training.
An exam record book was given to
applicants, who contained the certificate for the founding of the award (p. 5),
the regulations for the award (pp. 7-8), regulations on all categories
including all sports, which the candidate had to fulfil (pp. 9-12), and the
application for the three-week course for the Germanische Leistungsrune (p.
13). Pages 14- 22 listed the grades earned on the various exams and sports.
Page 23 was the application form for the Germanische Leistungsrune in Bronze,
and page 25 was the final document for earning/possessing the award. Page 26
contains additional regulations which explained that the award could be
rescinded if the recipient was required to re-do the tests in the future, and
then failed them. This is also mentioned in the last part of the " Bestimmungen
" on page 8.
Germanic Proficiency Runes Badge – Fake.
