BACKGROUND: The High Seas Fleet War Badge was instituted by Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine und Großadmiral, (Commander in Chief of the Navy and Grand Admiral), Erich Raeder on April 30TH 1941 to recognise the actions of personnel serving on German battleships and cruisers in the battle against England. Bestowal criteria varied with the main qualification being twelve weeks of active service on a battleship or cruiser.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, solid backed, nicely convexed,zinc alloy construction award features a vertically oval oak-leaf wreath with a national eagle with out-stretched wings superimposed to the top center, encompassing a nicely detailed, cut-out, "face on", likeness of the battleship Bismarck cutting through waves. The reverse of the badge is well marked with the stylized, embossed, manufacturer’s initials, "f.o.", indicating manufacture by Friedrich Orth of Vienna. Complete pin and catch assembly. One of the harder makers to find.