Honour Roll Clasp

The Honour Roll Clasp (German: Ehrenblattspange) was a decoration of Nazi Germany during World War II. A total number of 4,556 were awarded to members of the army and Waffen-SS.[1]

Honour Roll Clasp
Ehrenblattspange
army, Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe variants
Awarded by  Nazi Germany
CountryNazi Germany
TypeMilitary decoration
EligibilityGerman armed forces
Awarded forby discretion of German High Command
Campaign(s)World War II
StatusDiscontinued in 1945
Statistics
Established30 January 1944
Total awarded4,556[1]

The Honour Roll Clasp of the army was instituted after the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Until 30 January 1944, it was only a paper award. After this date, Adolf Hitler introduced the metallic version of the award for the decoration.[1] There were a number of possible qualifications for the Honour Roll Clasp:

  • The award could only be bestowed after a recipient had been awarded the Iron Cross in both the First and Second Class.[1]
  • To those who "once again (after being awarded the Iron Cross in both classes) distinguished himself in combat".[1]
  • Inclusion in the Honour Roll of the German Army (the Ehrenblatt des deutschen Heeres)[1]

There were no specific qualifications to earn this award other than what is mentioned above; its bestowing was at the discretion of the German High Command. It was awarded sparingly to retain a high level of prestige and honour. The Waffen-SS was not legally part of the German Army, but were nevertheless eligible on the same conditions as the army.[1] There were also two variant versions awarded to recipient members of the navy and air force.

Description

The decoration contained a wreath measuring 24.5 mm across, formed of six bunches of Oak Leaves on each side. The width of the wreath was 5 mm at the widest point and tapered to the apex where two oak leaves meet tip-to-tip. The height of the badge from base to tip was 26 mm. The swastika was superimposed upon the separately-made wreath and was soldered onto the wreath assembly. The reverse side had four pins for attachment to allow securing to a strip of Iron Cross Second Class ribbon. This ribbon was then looped through the second button hole on the tunic of the recipient.[3]

Notes
  1. Angolia 1987, p. 316.
  2. Angolia 1987, p. 317.
  3. Angolia 1987, pp. 316, 317.

References
  • Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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