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Wound Badge
(German: Das
Verwundetenabzeichen) is a German military award for wounded or frost-bitten
soldiers of Wehrmacht, SS and the auxiliary service organizations (after
March 1943 due to the increasing number of allied bombings — also for
civilians). First instituted during the first world war 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's assumed that upwards of 5 million
were likely awarded during World War II. In 1957 the Wound Badge was again
authorised for wear, however, the swastika needed to be removed (for example
by grinding).
Source:
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