Luftwaffe Ground Combat Badge by Rudolf Karneth & Sohn, 1942-45
Price: $425
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMHOLD -JZ
Description:. Nice quality, near mint two piece, solid backed, die struck alloy construction , badge is in the form of a silver washed, vertically oval, oak-leaf wreath with a separate silver washed, Luftwaffe style eagle superimposed to the top center, encompassing a cut-out, burnished matte grey washed cloud and downward striking lightning bolt. The eagle is secured to the badge by three small dome headed rivets which are visible on the reverse. The solid reverse has a barrel type hinge on a rectangular base plate inset into a rectangular recess with raised retaining lips crimping the hinge in place; a broad thick, tapered vertical pin and a circular crimped catch hook. The reverse of the badge is well marked with the initials, R.K. for Rudolf Karneth & Sohn, Gablonz. Just a mint example! There are 10 known makers of these badges.
Background: In late 1941 the first Luftwaffe ground combat units were hastily formed to help replace the massive loss of men on the Eastern front followed by the formation of the Brigade Meindl consisting of five Luftwaffe Field Battalions in February 1942. As a result of the formation of these new ground combat units, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring established the Luftwaffe Ground Combat Badge in March 1942, for award to all Luftwaffe personnel who had distinguished themselves in ground combat. Certain criteria had to be met for award of the badge with the main criteria being three separate ground combat actions. Of Note: Since the Luftwaffe had excess personnel in Sept 1942 Göring announced the formation of new Luftwaffe field divisions also to replace the massive loss of men on the Eastern front. Due to the lack of training and poor performance in the field, of the twenty-two divisions formed, seventeen were either destroyed or disbanded before the end of the war. Interestingly: On introduction of the Ground Combat Badge, Luftwaffe personnel who had been awarded the Infantry, Panzer or General Assault badges previously, were required to exchange them for this badge. Prior to the introduction of this Ground Combat Badge, Flak personnel who had utilized their Flak guns against land or sea based targets three times were awarded the Flak War Badge. These personnel also exchanged their Flak War Badge for the Ground Combat Badge.
