Verwundetenabzeichen.

[Walkwolf]

Big fan of the wound badge.
Here are some average black and silver class awards............
The "gold" one is made of tombak without a trace of black finish.

Photo of a wary NCO with EKI, Infanterie Sturmabzeichen and black wound badge.
( Notice his bandaged left hand. )

[Nifartachi]

When you think for what reason could each of those was awarded...

Thanks for posting.

[schnellmann]

I have a letter from a soldat who fought on the Eastern front. He said he was wounded 80 times! Can you imagine that? He didn't specify if 4-5 wounds were received at one time, but I suspect that is the case. 80 different episodes of being wounded is something too horrific to consider!

[Walkwolf]

I can't guess at how serious the wounds may have had to have been, or if each puncture from a fragmenting projectile or such could be considered or counted as an individual "wound". That sounds incredible !
( Still only one award could be worn at a time ! ! )

The American front line cartoonist Bill Mauldin was hit by a small piece of schrapnel requiring no stitches - barely a noticable scar, yet they gave him the Purple Heart.....

[Adrian Stevenson]

Nice wound badges. These are my favourite German award.

Cheers, Ade.

[schnellmann]

I can't guess at how serious the wounds may have had to have been, or if each puncture from a fragmenting projectile or such could be considered or counted as an individual "wound". That sounds incredible !
( Still only one award could be worn at a time ! ! )

The American front line cartoonist Bill Mauldin was hit by a small piece of schrapnel requiring no stitches - barely a noticable scar, yet they gave him the Purple Heart.....

Can you imagine if it were different? The soldat would have worn 8 Gold Wound Badgs at once!

[Walkwolf]

Yes, and like the Westwall medals, simple designs make for beautiful pieces.
Still readily available these days in black versions for reasonable prices.

Also with many different ( Oh, Oh ! ) makers marks,
fun to collect a variety...........

[banksy]

What are the materials used I'n these badges as all the silver grades look different ?

[Dean]

ha! Senator John Kerry awarded himself three purple hearts as the commander...one was from being hit by rice that hit him from an exploding boat!

[Walkwolf]

What are the materials used in these badges as all the silver grades look different ?

The above three 'silver' badges are made of zinc. Earlier silver badges are made
of tombac with silver plate. There are many reasons why they look different
- such as alloy composition, degree of wear, patination, etc.............