Introduced on 30th April 1941 by Grandadmiral Raeder.
Awarded for :
12 weeks active service on a battleship or Cruiser.
This time could be reduced if the sailor was wounded.
Less time could also count if the cruise was very successful.
It could also be awarded for men who served with the High Seas fleet but did not qualify for any other war badge.
Known makers:
Adolf Bock (who also designed the award)
Schwerin
Friedrich Orth
RSS
These badges can be found made of two materials, Tombak or Zinc. Here is a list coutsey of by John Robinson:
TOMBAK
Schwerin Berlin
ZINC
RSS (version 1)
RSS (version 2)
RSS (version 3)
RSS (version 4)
FO soldered fittings
FO cast-in fittings
RS
L/18 or 26 (Mayer)
Schwerin Berlin
L/21
UNMARKED
L/21 type (Type with the deep indentation from the hull on the reverse)
UNKNOWN IF PERIOD OR NOT
AS
My example is a late war issue made from zinc. Typically the gilt wash finish to the wreath has faded with age. Sadly the cast integeral catch has broken. This is a common fault with these badges made by "FO". These became very brittle and broke easily.
Cheers, Ade.
Bookmarks