The assault badges of the Second World War recognised repeated participation in combat. The one collectors meet most often is the Infantry Assault Badge, but the family also included awards for other arms, armoured crews and Luftwaffe ground troops. The Close Combat Clasp recognised hand-to-hand fighting. This article sets out the main types and then explains how to identify a genuine piece.
The assault badge family at a glance
| Award | Who it was for | Grades | Introduced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infantry Assault Badge | Infantry and mountain troops; motorised infantry | Silver; bronze for motorised infantry from 1940 | December 1939 |
| General Assault Badge | Other arms and support troops | See the text below | 1940 |
| Panzer Assault Badge | Armoured-vehicle crews | See the text below | 1940 |
| Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge | Luftwaffe personnel in ground combat | See the text below | 1942 |
| Close Combat Clasp | Hand-to-hand fighting | Bronze, silver and gold | November 1942 |
The Infantry Assault Badge
Silver
The silver Infantry Assault Badge (Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen) was introduced on 20 December 1939 for infantry and mountain troops who were not motorised. The usual requirement was taking part in three separate infantry assaults on different days. Criteria changed over the war, so check any specific requirement against a reference.
Bronze
From 1 June 1940, a bronze version was issued to motorised infantry. The bronze and silver badges share a design, so the grade is the key difference to check.
Design
The badge shows a rifle with a fixed bayonet and sling inside an oak-leaf wreath, with an eagle at the top. Sources agree on this description, so it is a reliable starting point for comparing a piece with a reference.
The General Assault Badge
The General Assault Badge (Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen) was for personnel of other arms, such as engineers, artillery, anti-tank crews and medics, who took part in assaults on several days. It was not for infantry, which had its own badge. Its requirement was based on the number of assault days. Check the design and the criteria against a reference, because details vary.
The Panzer Assault Badge
The Panzer Assault Badge (Panzerkampfabzeichen) was for armoured-vehicle crews who took part in combat. Its requirements changed during the war, and there were grades that a reference will set out. Describe the design in general terms when you list one, and check the grade and the criteria before you name a piece. The crews’ distinctive clothing is covered in WWII German Panzer crew uniforms.
The Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge and the Close Combat Clasp
The Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge (Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe) was introduced in 1942 for Luftwaffe personnel who fought in ground combat alongside the Army.
The Close Combat Clasp (Nahkampfspange) was introduced in November 1942 for hand-to-hand fighting. It came in bronze, silver and gold grades, usually given as 15, 25 and 50 close-combat actions.
How to identify a genuine assault badge
No single feature settles it. Check several things together.
Design and detail
Compare the design with a reliable reference. Look at the sharpness of the detail on the rifle, the bayonet and the eagle, and check that the wreath and the layout match a period example. Cast copies often have soft or inaccurate detail, but worn originals can look soft too, so judge the detail with the other checks.
Construction and the pin
Many wartime assault badges were die-struck and made in one of two ways, either hollow-backed or solid-backed. Check the back, and the hinge and catch, which should look like period hardware. A modern pin, or a pin that does not match the badge’s construction, is a warning sign.
Finish and wear
Silver and bronze finishes wear in predictable places, such as the high points and edges. Even wear everywhere, or a fresh finish on an old item, deserves a closer look. Some originals are in excellent condition, so use wear as one check among several.
Documents
A named award document or a credible provenance is the strongest evidence. A certificate of authenticity is a statement by the issuer, so check who issued it and whether they would stand by it.
Common mistakes
- Silver against bronze. Worn metal can change colour, so a bronze badge can look silver, and a silver one can look bronze. Check the grade against the construction and the reference, not the colour alone.
- Confusing the badges. The assault badges are often mixed up with the Wound Badge or with unit badges. Check the design and the award name.
- Reproductions and altered pieces. Copies and parts from different sources are common. Check that the badge’s wear, finish and components agree with each other.
The WWII German military badges guide covers the general authentication checklist, and the WWII German Wound Badge article covers the wound grades that collectors often find alongside assault badges. The German Army edelweiss badge article explains the mountain troops, who were also eligible for the Infantry Assault Badge.