Luftwaffe Erdkampfabzeichen / Ground Combat badge

**Adrian Stevenson** · 05-02-2008, 11:45 PM

This badge was instituted on 31st March 1942 in order to decorate members of the Luftwaffe engaged in ground combat. The award was given for:

Taking part in three engagements on three different days.

Being wounded in one of those engagements.

Being awarded any bravery decoration in one of those engagements.

A Luftwaffe man being KIA in ground combat was automatically awarded the badge.

Prior to this date Luftwaffe men fighting as ground comabt troops had been awarded Heer decorations, such as the Infantry assault, General assault or Panzer assault badges. These badges were to be given in and exchanged for the new Luftwaffe badge.

The badge is made of zinc. The example illustrated is from my collection. It is not maker marked. Other higher quality versions exist with separatly applied eagles. Known makers were:

MuK5
GH Osang
GB
RK
GWL
Arno Wallpach

Please be aware of numbered versions of this badge for 25, 50, 75 or 100 engagements. Instituted on paper on 10th November 1944. These badges were never produced in WW2 and any offered for sale must be regarded as fakes.

Cheers, Ade.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 05-02-2008 11:45 PM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Adrian Stevenson** · 05-12-2008, 02:05 PM

Here is the typical paper packet in which this award was issued. Made from cheap poor quailty paper with a lot of wood pulp fibre in evidence.

Cheers, Ade.

**Davidh** · 05-13-2008, 12:28 PM

very nice piece ade, rgds dave

**Zeller** · 05-13-2008, 05:55 PM

this is probably one of my favourite badges. So far I only had one in relic conditions. Sooner or later I will buy one. By the way, yours is very nice !