Awards of
World War IIThe award was established on December 20, 1939, as an honorary assault infantry badge for officers and soldiers of the ground forces. The silver version of the award was awarded to infantrymen, and the bronze version to motorized units.
The "Silver" version of the award was awarded for:
- participation in three or more counterattacks with the enemy;
- participation in hand-to-hand combat;
- participation in three or more assault operations;
- participation in three or more reconnaissance operations;
- repelling enemy attacks in Three separate episodes.
The "Bronze" version of the award was awarded for:
- participation in hand-to-hand combat at the positions of mechanized units;
- participation in three or more counterattacks involving motorized units;
- participation in three or more assault operations involving motorized units;
- participation in three or more reconnaissance operations involving motorized units;
- repelling enemy attacks in three separate episodes using motorized units.
The chest badge is a wreath of oak leaves, intertwined at the bottom with a ribbon, in which a Mauser 98K rifle is located diagonally. At the top of the wreath is the Nazi emblem - an eagle clutching a swastika in its claws. On the reverse of the award is a vertical pin for attaching to clothing. A chest badge worn on the left side immediately below the Iron Cross 1st Class or equivalent award. The award measures 63 x 48 mm.
The award was presented directly by the combat commander in the field in a brown envelope with the award's designation. The award was accompanied by the usual set of documents indicating the recipient's name, unit, signature, and stamp.