Awards of
World War IIThe award was established on July 18, 1941, for soldiers and officers of anti-aircraft batteries, searchlight units, and sound and radio direction-finding units who distinguished themselves in combat against aerial targets.
A points system was developed for awarding the badge, taking into account the combat missions completed. To receive the award, it was necessary to accumulate 16 points.
Points were awarded for the following achievements:
4 points – for the destruction of an enemy aircraft by a single anti-aircraft battery, as well as for causing damage to it, leading to an emergency landing in territory controlled by the Reich troops;
2 points – for the destruction of an enemy aircraft by several anti-aircraft batteries;
1 point – to the searchlight and direction-finding unit that detected and destroyed an aerial target.
In addition, in exceptional cases, the award of the badge was permitted, regardless of the accumulated points.
Commanders of anti-aircraft artillery units were awarded the badge after half of the officers subordinate to them had received this award.
Design The badge was designed by the firm of Ernst Pickhaus. It is an oval ring decorated with oak leaves separated by acorns. At the top of the badge is an imperial eagle with folded wings, holding a swastika in its talons. An 88mm anti-aircraft gun is placed in the center of the badge, its barrel extending beyond the framing ring on the right.
The reverse of the award features a vertical pin for attaching to clothing and, in most cases, the manufacturer's mark. The dimensions of the badge are 57 x 44 mm. Unlike similar Luftwaffe badges, which were stamped, the ground forces badge is die-cast, making it monolithic and of higher quality.
Along with the badge, the recipient received a standard set of documents, a certificate, and an entry in the military record book. The badge was worn, like similar badges, on the left breast pocket. If the recipient had the badge "For Participation in General Assault Attacks," the "Land Anti-Aircraft Artillery" breast badge was located to the left of it.