BACKGROUND: The Minesweeper’s war badge was instituted on August 31ST 1940 by Oberbefehlshaber der Kriegsmarine und Großadmiral, (Commander in Chief of the Navy and Grand Admiral), Erich Raeder for award to personnel serving on minesweepers, sub-chasers, and escort vessels who met the prescribed requirements. The main prerequisite for bestowal of the award was participation in three operational sorties.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Die struck, solid backed, alloy construction badge with gilt, silver and grey washes. The badge is in the form of a gilt washed, vertically oval, oak-leaf wreath with national eagle, with outstretched wings, superimposed to the top center, encompassing a grey washed, horizontal waves and a silver washed, cut-out, vertical, exploding, water funnel. The reverse of the badge has a soldered barrel type hinge on a rectangular base plate, a broad, tapering vertical pin and a heavy soldered catch on a circular base plate all intact. The reverse of the badge is well marked with the embossed designers name and location, "Fec. Otto Placzek Berlin", and the manufacturers name and location "Ausf. Schwerin Berlin".