Wound Badge

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Wound Badge (German: das Verwundetenabzeichen) was a German military award for wounded or frost-bitten soldiers of Reichswehr, Wehrmacht, SS and the auxiliary service organizations (after March 1943 due to the increasing number of allied bombings — also for civilians).

First instituted during World War I it existed in three versions: black for one or two times wounded by hostile action or air raid, or frost-bite in the line of duty, silver for three or four times wounded, loss of a hand, foot or eye via hostile action (also partial loss of hearing), facial disfigurement or brain damage via hostile action and gold (can be awarded posthumously) for five or more times wounded, total blindness or severe brain damage via hostile action. They exist in pressed steel, brass and zinc as well as pure base metal privately commissioned versions. Those of the First World War were also produced in a cutout pattern.

All versions of the Wound Badge were worn on the lower left breast of the uniform or tunic. The Badge was worn below all other awards worn on the left breast, if any were present. It is assumed that upwards of 5 million were likely awarded during World War II. In 1957, a revised version of the Wound Badge was authorised for wear, however the previous type could still be worn if the swastika was removed (for example by grinding).

The unadulterated Second World War version is shown in the illustration to the right.

[edit] Wound Badge of 20 July 1944

The 20th of July Wound Badge is by far the rarest of these awards, as it was only issued to a handful of people that were injured during the failed attempt on Hitler's life at the Wolf's Lair headquarters in Rastenburg, East Prussia. Twenty-four individuals were present when the bomb detonated and they were all injured to some degree. One officer was killed immediately and three others succumbed to their wounds a short time later. Hitler, believing this to be a 'moment of destiny' for him, personally directed the appropriate persons to design a special badge commemorating the event. This wound badge was the result.

The 20 July Wound Badge is based on the common Wound Badge, but the helmet is slightly higher and larger, they also bear the date “20 Juli 1944” and a facsimile of Hitler's signature appears below the helmet and date.

20 July Wound Badges were done in all three grades of black, silver, and gold. Recipients who had already been awarded Wound Badges were awarded the 20 July badge in the higher grade.

Unlike the normal Wound Badge in Black, the 20 July Wound Badge in Black was not completely black in colour. Instead, only the helmet and wreath were coloured black. The background was left in a silver colour so that the date and facsimile signature could be easily seen.

Hitler presented all the survivors with the special wound badge and a unique award document in a ceremony on September 2, 1944. However, although Hitler was wounded in the bombing, he did not give one of these badges to himself. As with all the military medals he wore, Hitler had earned his Wound Badge in World War I. Hitler had awarded himself the Golden Party Badge, but this was a political badge and not a military medal.

The four posthumous awards were sent to the recipients' next-of-kin. These medals were all in gold.

Recipients of the 20 July badge would have their 20 July badges upgraded if they earned higher grades of the Wound Badge. As a result, Konteradmiral Hans-Erich Voss eventually had the 20 July badge in all three grades, earning it in black on 20 July 1944, and having it upgraded twice in subsequent battles.

[edit] References

• FOR FÜHRER AND FATHERLAND: Military Awards of the Third Reich by LTC John R. Angolia, 1976, R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0-912138-14-9