Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge by J.E. Hammer & Söhne (G)
Price: $450
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Description: Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe; Constructed of silvered and patinated feinzink, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a Luftwaffe eagle clutching a mobile swastika, overlaying a stylized cloud from which a lightning bolt emanates and strikes the ground, the reverse with a crimped hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch which emerges from a rectangular plate, unmarked but demonstrating the characteristics of manufacture by J.E. Hammer & Söhne, Geringswalde, 43.4 mm (w) x 56.2 mm (h), 33.9 grams.
Reference: 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 on March 31ST 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. 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.
