German Awards - Colonial Warriors Association Member Badge/German Colonial Warriors Union

The badge in the form of a southwestern hat (Schutztruppenhaut) was a membership badge of the Unions of Colonial Warriors, and later, since 1922, the Union of German Colonial Warriors. The history of the Unions of Colonial Warriors dates back to 1896, when in Berlin about 50 former colonial soldiers united in the "Union of Former Comrades of the German-African Security Forces." The founder was a retired non-commissioned officer. Ernst Bruggeman, chairman of the association. In other cities, similar warrior clubs were formed. In 1902, the first governing body was founded in Berlin under the name "Union of Unions of Former Chinese and African Warriors of Germany." Clubs of colonial warriors experienced a rapid rise. In 1914, there were already 110 clubs or associations. In 1926, after the founding of the German Union of Colonial Warriors in 1922, there were about 80 clubs and 34 local groups of the Union of Asian Fighters. Different clubs had different badges and honorary badges. The Union of German Colonial Warriors establishes in 1922 a single award, the colonial award, the so-called "Order of Leo."
The colonial badge, the so-called "Order of Elephants," was established back in October 1921 by the Ministry of Reconstruction and Colonial Administration and is considered a state-recognized award. After the coming to power of the National Socialists and the creation of the Imperial Colonial Union in 1936, the German Union of Colonial Warriors was included in the Union, but retained its independence until 1938, when it was finally subordinated to the Nazi Union of Imperial Warriors. In 1942, there were about 190 unions of colonial warriors, numbering 12,000 members. The confederation had its own khaki uniform with a tropical cap. The flag of Germany belonged to the East African Society.
After World War II, the Union of Former Colonial Forces was founded in Hamburg in 1955. Later, several regional clubs merged into the "Traditional Association of Former Security and Overseas Troops."

A hollow embossed sign made of silver-plated non-ferrous metal. Behind is a soldered pin.

Front side:

• Plastic image of the cap of the guard troops. (southwest)
In the
• center of the highly curved hat shelf is a round rosette.
• Hat strip with raised narrow edge.

Downside:

• Hollow embossed and silver plated. Vertical pin with round base.

Front: Colonial Warriors Association/German Colonial Warriors Union membership badge

Downside: Colonial Warriors Association/German Colonial Warriors Union membership badge

Established:

In 1900, colonial clubs
1922 German Union of Colonial Warriors

Awarded:

OK. 1900-1945

Data:

• Material: non-ferrous silver-plated metal
• Size: 27 x 12 mm
• Weight: about 4g

estimated collector price:

40 – 50 €

OEK Number:

Without