Original Item: Only One Available. This is very nice lightly used condition German WWII Second Class Silver grade Wound Badge (Verwundetenabzeichen 2. Klasse in Silber), named on the back to a German Soldier. It is constructed out of a die struck, zinc-alloy base that has been silver washed. The oval badge depicts an embossed profile of a mobile swas (hook cross), above an M35 pattern helmet, which is above two crossed broad swords. This then lies on a pebbled field and is surrounded by a laurel leaf and berry wreath which is tied together at the bottom with a bow tie.

The steel pin, cast hinge, and bent flat wire catch are all intact and in working condition. The silver wash remains in very good condition on the obverse, showing some flaking and oxidation on the obverse, particularly on the swas. The rear shows a bit more oxidation. The badge measures 1.75 inches high by 1.5 inches wide.

The back of this badge is actually named to a German soldier on the back, along with a date, reading as follows:-

HEINZ
MAIWALD
7.7.40

The badge came to us with some research, indicating that records has been found of a Heinz Maiwald (5/23/1915 - 7/23/1945), who had been a Prisoner of War kept at Camp 18 (Featherstone Park Camp) in the United Kingdom. Before capture he had served with 9 Kompanie, Infanterie Regiment 102. He grew ill in captivity, eventually succumbing at City Hospital in Nottingham to a cerebral abscess and lung abscess, secondary to pneumonia. He was original buried in the UK, but his remains were most likely repatriated after the war.

Overall this is a great lightly used example with a great story and fantastic research potential!

The German Wound Badge was instituted during the First World War to recognize those wounded in the conflict. It was designed using a World War One style Imperial German helmet as the main motif. The helmet was set on top two crossed swords against a pebbled background and surrounded by a laurel leaves wreath.

During the Spanish Civil War the Third Reich reinstated the Wound Badge for a short period to honor those who were wounded during the conflict from 1936 to 1939. These German units participating in the assistance of the Spanish Fascists were deemed the “Condor Legion”. The pattern of the World War One Wound Badge was again used, except this time with a raised swas on the center of the World War One era helmet.

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 with Poland, Adolf AH once again reinstated the Wound Badge Award. Again the pattern of the badge was similar to that of the earlier style except the new design was freshened up a bit by using an M35 pattern German helmet and a slightly softer looking wreath. This pattern was used until the end of the war in 1945. It is impossible to know the exact numbers of wound badges awarded during the course of the Second World War due to the vast scale and countless individuals who were wounded or killed in the conflict.

The Wound Badge Awards came in three different types of grades representing the amount , or severity, of wounds received. The first grade, the Black Wound Badge was awarded for 1 to 2 wounds received in combat. The Silver Grade was awarded for 3 to 4 wounds, and finally the Gold Grade for 5 or more wounds, total disability, or death.