20 July 1944 Wound badge

Wound Badge "20 July 1944" - Black Class, Silver Class , Gold Class.

Known Makers: : L/12, 2.

Rarity: Extremely Rare, Extremely Rare, Extremely Rare.

       

 

On 20th July 1944, an attempt was made to assassinate Hitler by Colonel Count Claus Schenk von Stauffenberge at the Wolf's lair at Rastenburge, Hitler's H.Q. in the east.  This was unsuccessful but led Hitler and the 24 occupants of the room to suffer varying degrees of wounds.  The most serious being the loss of life of Colonel Brant and Herr Berger, who died immediately, and Generalleutnant Schmundt and General Korten dying subsequently from wounds they received.  The remaining twenty suffered superficial wounds and shock, save for General Buhle and Generalmajor Scherff, who were more seriously injured.

 

Hitler, to commemorate this attempt on his life and his escape, introduced a special wound badge which he awarded to the 24 occupants, or dependents in the case of the dead.  He declined to award himself one of these medals.  The first awards of this medal were made on 20th August 1944.

THE RECIPIENTS OF THE MEDAL were;-

 

1]	Generalfeldmarschall	Wilhelm Keitel	Black Award
2]	Generaloberst	Alfred Jodl	Black Award
3]	General der Artillerie	Walter Warlimont	Black Award
4]	Konteradmiral	Jesko von Puttkamer	Black Award
5]	Kapitan Z See	Heinz Assmann	Black Award
6]	Oberst	Nicolaus von Below	Black Award
7]	Konteradmiral	Hans-Erich Voss	Black Award
8]	S.S.-Hauptsturmfuhrer	Otto Gunsche	Black Award
9]	S.S.-Gruppenfuhrer	Hermann Fegelein	Silver Award
10]	Generalleutnant	Adolf Heusinger	Silver Award
11]	Oberstleutnant	G. Borgman	Silver Award
12]	General der Flieger	Karl Bodenschatz	Gold Award
13]	General der Infanterie	Walter Buhle	Gold Award
14]	Generalmajor	Walter Scherff	Gold Award
15]	General der Flieger	Gunter Korten	Gold Award Post.
16]	Oberst	Heinz Brant	Gold Award Post
17]	Civilian	Berger	Gold Award Post.
18]	Generalleutnant	Rudolf Schmundt	Gold Award Post.
19]	Oberstleutnant	von John	Not known - presumed Black
20]	Oberstleutnant	Weizenegger	Not known - presumed Black
21]	Civilian	Walter Hewell	Not known - presumed Black
22]	Hauptman	von Schimanski	Not known - presumed Black
23]		Buchs	Not known - presumed Black
24]		Hagan	Not known - presumed Black

 

The quality of these badges is very high and each example is hand finished.  This is illustrated by very fine file marks round the edges of the badge.  The badge was produced by the firm of C.E. Junker of Berlin and it is estimated that the firm produced 100 badges.  It took the form of the ordinary wound badge with a very finely formed wreath with a bow at the base and three laurel berries or dots at the apex.  The helmet is nearer the apex and the sword hilts are two bundles of laurel leaves up the wreath from the base, and the upper edge of the hilt of each sword touches the front and back of the helmet respectively.  Beneath the helmet is the date and Hitler's signature.  The date and signature are raised and polished.  The field is hand pebbled and matt finished.  The reverse is flat and bears minute scratches, which epitomise hand finishing. 

The hinge is of the "on it's edge" type with a hook at the bottom.  The pin is hand drawn and slightly curled up at the bottom where it fastens into the hook.  On the reverse beneath the pin are the maker's mark L/12 and the silver content .800.  At this point it is interesting to note that each recipient received two badges, the award one as described and a Dress Copy which had L/12 .800 and a small 2 to denote that this was the wear copy or second version.  No other difference exists between the two types save for this small number. 

The black version had the wreath, helmet and swords artificially blackened.  The Swastika was less darkened while the date and signature were highly polished and the field was matt silver.  The reverse to include the pin, hook and hinge was also artificially blackened.  The silver version is silver all over, with the signature and date highly polished as before, while the field is again matt silver.  The gold version has a gold or gilt wreath helmet and swords, with again the Swastika slightly lightened, the date and signature are highly polished silver, while the reverse and pin etc., are matt gold. 

Criteria for The Award were;-

1] 1 - 2 wounds  -  Black award

2] 3 - 5 wounds  -  Silver award

3] 1 wound resulting in the loss of hand, foot, eye or deafness - Silver award.

4] 5 or more wounds - Gold award

5]1wound resulting in total disability, permanent blindness or loss of manhood -Gold award.

 

The only illness or disease the badge could be awarded for was that of cases of frostbite.

 

It is assumed that when the recipient was wounded again he received the higher grade of the badge in this form. 

The badge was awarded with a Citation that was produced on Vellum paper with a large gilt eagle at its top.  The name and grade of the badge was individually entered on to the Citation.  At the base was Hitler's signature in ink and official seal.  The badge came in a black box with black velvet base and silk lid lining.

 

 

 

Jodl wearing their 20th July 1944 wound badge.

 

 

 

20 July 1944 Wound Badge - Obverse -  Fake.

 

 

 

20 July 1944 Wound Badge - Reverse -  Fake.

 

 

 

 20 July 1944 Wound Badge - Fake marks.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge

Instituted on - 1941

Rarity – Very Rare.
Known Makers – Unmarked.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Obverse.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Reverse.

The badge comprises of a light blue cloth inverted triangle with rounded corners, machine woven on blue-grey wool backing. The insignia measures approximately 53mm high and 85 mm wide, which has a darker blue edge line. At the centre is a woven pair of white wings on a blue-grey field, with a black Latin “B” encircled in a black ring. From the circle are four lightning flashes, one projecting at each diagonal. The wings, central circle and flashes are in white, while the outlines of the wings, together with its fletching, and flashes are black. The capital 'B' is for Bordfunker and the lightning flashes symbolise the wireless. 

The award was introduced in 1941, however the illustration which accompanied the introduction of this badge shows a Gothic B, but this may have been only the artist’s impression.

It was awarded to students following demonstrated proficiency in practical tests and written examination involving electronics and physics. Although radio training was conducted in the classroom, flying experience was obligatory before the badge was awarded. The student was required to have earned the International Glider proficiency badge in at least the B Level – two gulls. The badge was worn on the lower left arm of the service tunic and HJ uniform.

The student had a Proficiency Book, which contained his photograph and personal details. This book had the test undertaken and duly stamped. A certificate was also issued for the award.

HJ Students undergoing lectures and training for the NSFK Radio Operator's qualification.

The badge can be seen on the left arm of the HJ Student in the fore ground.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification certificate.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book - Inner page.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book - Page 1.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book -

 Page  2 - 3.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book -

 Page 4 - 5.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book -

Page 6 - 7.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Qualification Book -

Page 10 - 11.

Wehr Helmut

The International Glider proficiency badge "A" can be seen on his lapel together with his HJ Proficiency miniature badge.

Civil Gliding Proficiency Badge. A, B, C Certificate.

These three awards are basically the same and can be found in three varieties.  A cloth badge measuring approximately 50 mm, produced in either silver-grey thread or silver bullion wire on a blue-grey Melton backing.  The badges consist of an embroidered circle that measures approximately 40 mm with one, two or three gulls to represent the grade of the award.  The third variety is a smaller metal badge with a raised outer edge line.  The relevant gull or gulls have a similar raised line and the resultant fields are in filled with blue and white opaque enamel.

A Certificate.

  30-second free flight with no manoeuvres required.

B Certificate.

  60-second free flight with 'S' turn manoeuvre.  This also    

  Qualified the recipient for the German Glider Permit.

C Certificate.

  It was necessary to make a 5-minute flight without losing height

  and pass an aural examination.  This qualified the recipient for

  the official Soaring Licence.

Achievement C Certificate.

This badge was referred to as the Leistungsprüfung C, as well as the Leistungsabzeichen.  This is assumed to have been awarded for long duration flights with a much higher standard aeronautical skills being required with flights in excess of five hours.  It has been stated that two types of badge were employed for the higher awards and these are the silver badge, which had three gulls enclosed in a silver wreath of oak leaves and the golden badge, which had three gulls in a gilt wreath.  It has also been reported that this grade has been encountered in an A Certificate, which has one gull surrounded by an oak leaf wreath and a B Certificate with two gulls surrounded by an oak leaf wreath.  These were all supposedly for long duration flights.  In January 1942 the silver badge was replaced by the NSFK Large Glider Pilots Badge.

These badges were instituted by the International Aeronautical Federation, F‚d‚ration A‚ronautique Internationale before the second world war and, it must be stressed, are still in use today.  They were for varying degrees of proficiency in gliding.  As the Versailles Treaty forbade a German air force, this left gliding as the only alternative of learning the art of civilian flying for commercial or private purposes.  Because of the cost of motor driven aircraft, Germans turned to the sport of gliding and soaring which proved to be an excellent cover for training future pilots of the clandestine Luftwaffe.  Fledgling pilots had to be tested and were judged under the rules of the International Aeronautical Federation.  Qualified pilots were authorised to wear the badges on their respective uniforms on the left breast pocket.  Germany and Italy are believed to be the only countries to allow such badges to be worn on their service uniforms. The metal badges were to be worn on the left lapel of civilian clothing.

International Glider proficiency badge A Level – one gulls. - Bullion - Obverse. 

International Glider proficiency badge B Level – two gulls. - Bullion - Obverse.

International Glider proficiency badge C Level – three gulls. - Bullion - Obverse.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika - Obverse.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika - Reverse.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika - Obverse Fake.

NSFK Radio Operator's Badge - Swastika - Reverse Fake.

Badge for 25 and 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz.

Badge for 25 and 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz.

Instituted on: 1933/34

Rarity – Very Rare, Very Rare.
Known Makers – Unmarked


Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz.

Instituted on: 1933/34

Rarity –Very Rare.
Known Makers – Unmarked

Badge for 25 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Obverse.

Badge for 25 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Reverse.

Although only a sub-division of Bavaria, Pfalz, The Palatinate, awarded, possibly around 1933 – 1934, a silver badge for 25 years’ service in the economy of the province. The award consisted of a 31mm circular silver badge, with an outer edge that is lightly grained, which is artificially patinated with a light grey smoked effect.  Round the badge is a 4mm boarder onto which is placed a legend in recessed black capital lettering, “25 Jahre im Dienste der Pfälzischen Wirtschaft” – 25 years in the service of the Paltinate economy.  On either side of the “25 Jahre”, which is at the top of the badge, is a swastika. The central field is dished with, at the centre a raised design consisting of three symbolic figures: a man with a hammer, symbolic of heavy industry, a female figure, symbolic of agriculture, and a second man with a Mercury staff, symbolic of commerce. Beneath the left foot of the central female figure is the raised monogram of the designer, a capital M surmounting a capital H. The badge was produced by C.Poellath.

The reverse is plain with a horizontal pin hinge and hook.

Badge for 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz.

Badge for 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz. - Obverse.

Badge for 40 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz. - Reverse.

The award consisted of a 31mm circular silver badge, with an outer edge that is lightly grained, which is artificially patinated with a light grey smoked effect.  Round the badge is a 4mm boarder which is gilded onto which is placed a legend in recessed black capital lettering, “40 Jahre im Dienste der Pfälzischen Wirtschaft” – 40 years in the service of the Paltinate economy.  On either side of the “40 Jahre”, which is at the top of the badge, is a swastika. The legend and swastikas are inlaid with black The central field is dished with, at the centre a raised design consisting of three symbolic figures: a man with a hammer, symbolic of heavy industry, a female figure, symbolic of agriculture, and a second man with a Mercury staff, symbolic of commerce. Beneath the left foot of the central female figure is the raised monogram of the designer, a capital M surmounting a capital H. The badge was produced by C.Poellath. Since majority of these were produced in zinc, the gold rings tend to flake off over time, making them look just like their 25 year counterparts.

The reverse is plain and silver in colour with a horizontal pin hinge and hook.

Miniatures of the 25 and 40 year Badges exist as well. These feature blank reverses. It is unclear if they were awarded with the plakettes or the round badges.

They were presented in a square box that had a light blue simulated leather covering. The recessed central board was covered in mouse grey velvet that had a recessed slot for the pin. The inner lid lining was of off white silk.

Badge for 25 years’ service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Case.

There is also a large circular table medal which takes the central design of the award, thus without the inscription. On the reverse in raised capital letters in 5 lines is the inscription, “Für Langjähre, Ge. Dienste. Der, Pfälzischen, Wirtschaft.” Centrally above and below the legend is a raised swastika. It is produced in a zinc type metal. It was contained in a similar box to the award. It can be found in a square box that had a black simulated leather covering. The recessed central board was covered in light beige velvet. The inner lid lining was of off cream silk.

A second type takes the form of the first. The obverse is identical. The reverse has the 5 line inscription. The upper raised swastika is replaced by finely engraved one with lightly pebbled fields, the lower one is removed and the award date is engraved in its place. It is produced in nickel silver. The case is square box that had a black simulated leather covering. The recessed central board was covered in dark blue. The inner lid lining was of royal blue silk.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Obverse.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Reverse.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Case - Blue.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Case - Black.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Dated 1938 - Obverse.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Dated 1938 - Reverse.

Plaque for service in the Economy of the Province Pfalz - Dated 1938 - Obverse - Case.