Awards of
World War IIThanks to the successful actions of the auxiliary cruisers, the German command deemed it necessary to establish a special award for the crews of distinguished auxiliary cruisers.
On April 24, 1941, by order of the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Grand Admiral E. Raeder, the "Auxiliary Cruiser Crew Member" badge was instituted. According to the regulations, the award was presented to officers and sailors of the navy for service on auxiliary cruisers and convoy ships for:
- a long raid;
- a wound received during a raid;
- successful command during a raid.
A total of approximately 1,500 people were awarded the award, but the exact number remains unknown.
The design of the badge was developed by Berlin artist Wilhelm Pickhaus. It consisted of a gilded wreath of oak leaves, with an imperial eagle holding a swastika in its talons at the top. Inside the wreath was a silver-plated image of the globe and a Viking longship sailing on it. The badge was stamped, primarily from zinc. Only in rare cases was aluminum used for the globe, which was usually applied. The reverse of the badge features a vertical pin for attaching it to clothing and the manufacturer's stamp. Like similar badges, it is worn on the left chest, below the Iron Cross First Class.
There is no evidence of the official establishment of a special version of the badge with diamonds, which had the same appearance as the standard badge but was made of silver and featured a swastika adorned with nine small diamonds. Based on the frequently expressed opinion that such badges were awarded only with the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross, this is not the case with this badge. Only one such award is known to have been made: on December 31, 1941, Captain 1st Rank Bernhard Rogge, commander of the auxiliary cruiser Atlantis, was awarded the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross, No. 45, and the Auxiliary Cruiser Crew Badge with Diamonds. There is also evidence that the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy was awarded the same badge in January 1942. It is reliably known that the other three auxiliary cruiser commanders awarded the Oak Leaves did not receive the Auxiliary Cruiser Badge with Diamonds.