BACKGROUND: The General Assault badge was introduced on June 1ST 1940, by Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch, for award to support personnel who were ineligible for the Infantry or Panzer Assault badges. Criteria for award of the badge was basically the same as the criteria for award of the Infantry and Panzer Assault badges with the main qualification being participation in three separate assaults in a supporting role. On its introduction the badge was only intended for award to combat engineers and was designated, Pionier-Sturmabzeichen, (Engineer’s Assault Badge). Shortly afterwards award of the badge was extended to other support personnel including artillery and assault gun personnel, anti-tank and anti-aircraft personnel and medical personnel. Of Note: Before the introduction of the Tank Destruction Strip in March 1942, personnel who had single handedly destroyed an enemy tank with Infantry weapons were awarded the General Assault Badge.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, solid backed, zinc construction badge with a silver wash. The nicely detailed badge features a cut-out, high relief Wehrmacht styled eagle with down-swept wings positioned above a crossed bayonet and stick grenade, and encompassed by an embossed, vertically oval, oak-leaf wreath. The badge retains about 35% of its original silver wash and the zinc has started to oxidize on the front. The solid reverse has a crimped, soldered hinge, a thin round vertical pin and a soldered catch on a rectangular base plate all intact. The badge has no visible manufacturer’s markings. Comes complete with its original wrapping tissue paper. Comes complete with its original wrapping tissue paper. This particular example came back with a U.S. vet in 1945 along with numerous other badges. The photo on the bottom shows part of the grouping as it arrived. 

GRADE *** 1/2                             PRICE $109.00