Wound Badge (German: das Verwundetenabzeichen) was a German military award for wounded or frost-bitten soldiers of Reichswehr, Wehrmacht, SS and the auxiliary service organizations (after March 1943 due to the increasing number of allied bombings — also for civilians). The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. The Reichswehr ( German for "National Defence" formed the military organisation of Germany from 1919 until 1935 when it was Wehrmacht (literally "defense force" was the name of the unified Armed forces of Germany from 1935 to 1945 The ( German for "Protective Squadron" abbreviated SS - or ( Runic)- was a major Nazi organization under Adolf Hitler and the Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
First instituted during World War I it existed in three versions: black for one or two times wounded by hostile action or air raid, or frost-bite in the line of duty, silver for three or four times wounded, loss of a hand, foot or eye via hostile action (also partial loss of hearing), facial disfigurement or brain damage via hostile action and gold (can be awarded posthumously) for five or more times wounded, total blindness or severe brain damage via hostile action. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All They exist in pressed steel, brass and zinc as well as pure base metal privately commissioned versions. Those of the First World War were also produced in a cutout pattern.
All versions of the Wound Badge were worn on the lower left breast of the uniform or tunic. The Badge was worn below all other awards worn on the left breast, if any were present. It is assumed that upwards of 5 million were likely awarded during World War II. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including In 1957, a revised version of the Wound Badge was authorised for wear, however the previous type could still be worn if the swastika was removed (for example by grinding).
The unadulterated Second World War version is shown in the illustration to the right.
Wound Badge of 20 July 1944
The 20th of July Wound Badge is by far the rarest of these awards, as it was only issued to a handful of people that were injured during the failed attempt on Hitler's life at the Wolf's Lair headquarters in Rastenburg, East Prussia. Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently vandalized and vandalism is reverted immediately Kętrzyn (Rastenburg former Rastembork is a Town in northeastern Poland with 28351 inhabitants (2004 East Prussia (Ostpreußen; Rytų Prūsija or Rytprūsiai; Prusy Wschodnie Восточная Пруссия or Vostochnaya Prussiya) refers to the main part Twenty-four individuals were present when the bomb detonated and they were all injured to some degree. One officer was killed immediately and three others succumbed to their wounds a short time later. Hitler, believing this to be a 'moment of destiny' for him, personally directed the appropriate persons to design a special badge commemorating the event. This wound badge was the result.
The 20 July Wound Badge is based on the common Wound Badge, but the helmet is slightly higher and larger, they also bear the date “20 Juli 1944” and a facsimile of Hitler's signature appears below the helmet and date.
20 July Wound Badges were done in all three grades of black, silver, and gold. Recipients who had already been awarded Wound Badges were awarded the 20 July badge in the higher grade.
Unlike the normal Wound Badge in Black, the 20 July Wound Badge in Black was not completely black in colour. Instead, only the helmet and wreath were coloured black. The background was left in a silver colour so that the date and facsimile signature could be easily seen.
Hitler presented all the survivors with the special wound badge and a unique award document in a ceremony on September 2, 1944. Events 44 BC - Pharaoh Cleopatra VII of Egypt declares her son co-ruler as Ptolemy XV Caesarion. Year 1944 ( MCMXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. However, although Hitler was wounded in the bombing, he did not give one of these badges to himself. As with all the military medals he wore, Hitler had earned his Wound Badge in World War I. Hitler had awarded himself the Golden Party Badge, but this was a political badge and not a military medal. The Golden Party Badge was a special badge of the Nazi Party.
The four posthumous awards were sent to the recipients' next-of-kin. These medals were all in gold.
Recipients of the 20 July badge would have their 20 July badges upgraded if they earned higher grades of the Wound Badge. As a result, Konteradmiral Hans-Erich Voss eventually had the 20 July badge in all three grades, earning it in black on 20 July 1944, and having it upgraded twice in subsequent battles. Counter Admiral is an Anglicisation of a Naval rank found in most navies of the world Hans-Erich Voss (or Voß, see ß) ( October 30 1897 &ndash November 18 1969) was a German Vice Admiral
References
- FOR FÜHRER AND FATHERLAND: Military Awards of the Third Reich by LTC John R. Angolia, 1976, R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0-912138-14-9
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