Minesweeper War Badge

Minesweepers, Sub-Chasers and Escort-Vessel War Badge
Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boot-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände
Awarded by Nazi Germany
Type Badge
Eligibility Military personnel
Awarded for service in Kriegsmarine minesweepers
Campaign(s) World War II
Status Obsolete
Statistics
Established 31 August 1940

Friedrich Ruge inspecting sailors wearing the Minesweeper War Badge

The Minesweeper War Badge or Minesweepers, Sub-Chasers and Escort-Vessel War Badge (German: Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boot-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to Kriegsmarine members for service on minesweepers vessels. The award was instituted on 31 August 1940 by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder. It was first awarded on 28 November 1940.[1]

Design

The medal, designed by Otto Placzek of Berlin, consists of an outer laurel wreath of oak leaves with the national emblem of eagle clutching a swastika (both golden coloured) at its apex. The central area features a representation of a sea mine exploding. The medal was first produced in bronze and later in zinc. Inferior quality late-war versions can appear a dull gray as the gold gilt was known to wear off.[2]

The medal was worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross if awarded, or equivalent grade award.[1]

Criteria for award

Award of this medal could derive from[1]:

  • The candidate had completed at least three operational sorties
  • Wounded during an operational sortie
  • Ship he was sailing in an operation was sunk due to enemy action
  • Participated in a specific sortie that proved very successfully
  • Had shown exemplary conduct in the execution of his duties over a six-month period
  • Completed a specially dangerous mission in a mined area
  • Served on escort duty for 25 days or more

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Angolia 1987, p. 130.
  2. ↑ Angolia 1987, p. 131.

References

  • Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.
  • Klietmann, Kurt-Gerhard (1981). Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches. 1936–1945. Motorbuch, Stuttgart. ISBN 3-87943-689-4.
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