Description
World War II German Kriegsmarine Minesweeper War Badge (Kriegsmarine-Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boot-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände)
An authentic German World War II Kriegsmarine Minesweeper War Badge, instituted on August 31, 1940, by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder. Designed by Berlin artist Otto Placzek, the badge recognized personnel serving on minesweepers, sub-chasers, and escort vessels for operational achievements. Typical criteria included participating in three operational sorties or completing 25 days of escort duty.
The badge features a central water plume from an underwater explosion, symbolizing naval combat action, set within an oval oak leaf wreath, and surmounted by a Kriegsmarine eagle clutching a mobile swastika. Early examples were often constructed in gilded and silvered tombak, while later wartime issues frequently utilized zinc.
The obverse displays detailed relief work on the wreath, eagle, and explosion, while the reverse is equipped with a barrel hinge, vertical pinback, and round wire catch for uniform attachment.
This Minesweeper War Badge remains a highly collectible Kriegsmarine award, notable for its artistic design, historical significance, and quality wartime manufacture, and is sought after by collectors of German naval militaria and WWII awards.
