Awards of
World War IIThe Submarine Crew Bar is a Kriegsmarine award established in Nazi Germany on May 15, 1944, for submarine crews already awarded the Submariner's Badge for continued combat service and bravery.
Initially, the award was established in only one class, bronze, based on 15 combat sorties or 60 days spent at sea. On November 22, 1944, a silver U-boat Crew Bar was added to the award's statutes. The criteria for receiving it were at least 25 combat missions or 120 days at sea. Additionally, according to some sources, a gold version of this award was instituted, but no records of its presentation survive, so it remains unknown whether it was ever awarded.
The flotilla commander had the authority to award the bronze version, while the silver version was awarded to the commander of the Kriegsmarine's submarine forces, Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz.
The design of the badge was developed by the renowned Berlin artist Ernst Peckhaus. The badge is in the form of a wreath of laurel leaves, topped by an eagle with outstretched wings, holding a swastika in its talons. The eagle's wings are slightly rounded, following the contour of the wreath. At the bottom, two crossed swords are superimposed on the wreath, and in the center is a submarine, the edges of which extend beyond the wreath. To the left and right of the wreath are six oak leaves, and two pairs of acorns are located at the edges, level with the middle row of oak leaves. The dimensions of the badge are: width 76-77 mm, height 15-16 mm.
On the reverse of the award, a horizontal clasp runs from right to left, the stamp of the badge's designer, "Ernst Peekhaus," and the maker's mark. The badge was die-cast from zinc, then bronzed or silver-plated. In addition, officers and sailors could order a cloth patch in the shape of a badge, embroidered with gold thread for officers and yellow thread for sailors.
This badge is worn on the left chest, above the breast pocket of the tunic.