Original Items: One Set of Three Available. Here we have a very nice set of three German WWII Kriegsmarine badges, representing a nice range of the types of awards given during the war. All three have damaged or missing pin catches, but still display very nicely, so this represents a great chance to add three different badges to your collection.

The first badge is a very nice example of the German WWII Kriegsmarine Minesweeper War Badge, made by manufacturer Rudolf Karneth of Gablonz, a well known maker of WWII Kriegsmarine badges. The company's R. K. initials are on the back of the award at the top of the "water splash". The front design consists of an oval oak leaf wreath, topped by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a mobile swas (hook cross), with a central depiction of an exploding mine on top of detailed waves. The reverse is solid, with a standard pinback attachment, though the catch is completely missing.

There is a bit of the original gold wash on the wreath portion, however the central water and "splash" have had the silvered aluminum paint wear away, with some remaining as a white oxide.

The other two badges represent the two different types of the U-boat War Badge issued: The early Bronze Alloy type and the later zinc type with a Gold Wash on the exterior. Both are unmarked, and the bronze badge is missing the rear pin catch entirely, while the zinc version is missing the catch for the pin, as well as the tip of the pin. The bronze example looks great, and the zinc example has lost most of the gold wash, as was common.

A great set of German WWII Kriegsmarine badges, ready to display!

The Minesweeper War Badge or Minesweepers, Sub-Chasers and Escort-Vessel War Badge (Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boot-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände) was instituted on August 31, 1941 by Kriegsmarine leader Grossadmiral Erich Raeder. The purpose of this award was to recognize the achievement and experience of the sailors on the German Navy’s minesweeper vessels. In this unnerving duty, sailors faced exposure to the elements as well as constant danger from mines, submarines, and airplanes.

The Minesweeper Badge features a representation of an exploding sea mine, surrounded by a wreath and surmounted by the German national eagle and swas emblem. It was designed by Otto Placzek and was made in tombak and zinc, with most later examples being the zinc type. The award could be ordered by leaders of minesweeper boats, patrol boats, and special units, and by superior Kriegsmarine commands. To qualify for this badge, a sailor had to make three operational sorties, be wounded on a sortie, show exemplary conduct over a six-month period, participate in an especially dangerous mission, serve on escort duty for 25 days or more, or be on a ship that was sunk by enemy action- the badge could be awarded posthumously.

The U-boat War Badge (U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen) was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat crew members during World War I and World War II. The U-boat War Badge was originally instituted during the First World War on February 1, 1918. It was awarded to recognize U-boat crews who had completed three war patrols. The badge was worn on the lower left side of the uniform and was oval shaped resembling a wreath of laurel leaves. A submarine lay across the center and the German State Crown (Reichskrone) was inlaid at the top center of the wreath.

On October 13, 1939, the U-boat War Badge was reinstituted. It was very similar to the original badge with the exception of the imperial crown being replaced with a German Reichsadler (National Eagle) emblem, and a more modernized submarine now facing towards the left was used. The new version was first made of bronze metal, with later ones made of zinc with a "gold wash".

There were several ways to be awarded this medal. The most common would be the completion of two or more war patrols. Although the completion of two war patrols might seem a lowly requirement, but a typical U-boat war cruise would often run into months at a time. Completing two war patrols could be equally dangerous as the U-boat has to endure constant attacks by Allied aircraft and warships. The other occasion when this badge was awarded was having been wounded during a patrol or killed in action.

U-boat War Badge with Diamonds
The U-boat War Badge with Diamonds was instituted by Großadmiral Karl Dönitz after he had received from Grand Admiral Erich Raeder a special solid gold version of the U-boat War Badge in which the wreath as well as the swas were inlaid with diamonds.

The badge was a special issue award given to U-boat commanders who had received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves. This version was made of gold plate over silver. Manufactured by the firms Schwerin u. Sohn and Gebr. Godet & Co. It was the same as the basic pattern but with nine small diamonds inlaid in the swas. This award was more of a personal award by Dönitz. Approximately 30 were awarded, including the original one to Admiral Dönitz.