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 recognize 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 convex, alloy construction award features a vertically oval oak-leaf wreath with a national eagle with outstretched wings superimposed to the top center, encompassing a nicely detailed, cut-out, "face on", likeness of the battleship Bismarck cutting through waves. The solid reverse of the badge is slightly concave. Original hinge and clasp are present. The reverse is well marked with the embossed manufacturer's initials, "R.S. & S.", indicating manufacture by Richard Sieper & Söhne of Lüdenscheid.