German Awards - Infantry Badge in Bronze

Walter von Brauchitsch, Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces, established infantry assault marks on 20 December 1939. The infantrymen distinguished themselves in the assault. The mark shall be an external, visible and recognition mark. In addition, the badge was supposed to serve as an incentive for the rest of the troops. The badge was awarded to officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers who served in rifle companies, non-motorized infantry divisions and mountain jaeger companies. The condition for the award was that from January 1, 1940, the soldier participated in 3 assault attacks, fought on the front line, attempted hacking with weapons, or participated in hostilities on 3 different days. The badge was awarded with a certificate of possession of silver. Units of machine gun companies, artillery companies and anti-tank companies received a bronze badge with an equal provision for awarding. Later, the circle of persons eligible for this was expanded to SS troops and order police. The badge design was developed by the Berlin company Juncker. Hollow embossed badges were issued, as well as solid cast badges. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen before 1945, vol. IV, 2001.

High oval full relief badge of tinted fine zinc. The back side has a vertical pin with a mating hook. Including the abbreviation of the manufacturer.

Front side:

• The edge is formed from an oak deciduous wreath with acorns tied below.
• Above is the emblem of the army (an eagle with lowered wings in the paws of a swastika).
• A carbine tilted to the left up with a side gun on.
• The carbine protrudes and is superimposed on the edge above and below.

Downside:

• Smooth and tinted with a perpendicular pin with an oncoming hook.
• Under the needle, the manufacturer raised a 4-gon - JFS - for the sons of Joseph Fakes.

Photos of www.militaria-berlin.de