Close Combat Clasp

Close Combat Clasp
Nahkampfspange


Close Combat Clasp in Gold, Silver, and Bronze
Awarded by Nazi Germany
Type Clasp
Eligibility Heer, Kriegsmarine and Waffen-SS personnel
Awarded for hand-to-hand fighting
Campaign(s) World War II
Status Obsolete
Statistics
Established 25 November 1942
Total awarded 36,400 Bronze Class
9,500 Silver Class
631 Gold Class.[1]

The Close Combat Clasp (German: Nahkampfspange) is a German military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for achievement in hand-to-hand fighting in close quarters. The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket. The clasp was die-cast and made of either tombac or later zinc, with a slightly curved centerpiece consisting of the national emblem surmounting a crossed bayonet and hand grenade.

The award was bestowed in three classes: Bronze for 15 close combat battles; Silver for 25 battles; and Gold for 50+ battles.[2] The Gold Close Combat Clasp was often regarded in higher esteem than the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross by the German infantry. Of the roughly 18–20 million soldiers of the German Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS, 36,400 received the Bronze Class, 9,500 the Silver Class and 631 the Gold Class.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Berger 2004, p. 6.
  2. ↑ Thomas M., Durante (2007). The German Close Combat Clasp of World War II. ISBN 978-90-812301-1-7.

Sources

  • Thomas M. Durante (2007), The German Close Combat Clasp of World War II, ISBN 978-90-812301-1-7
  • Florian Berger (2004), Ritterkreuzträger mit Nahkampfspange in Gold, ISBN 3-9501307-3-X
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