Description
German World War II Blockade Runner Badge (Abzeichen für Blockadebrecher)
Offered is a German World War II Blockade Runner Badge (Abzeichen für Blockadebrecher), a naval and maritime award instituted on 1 April 1941 by Adolf Hitler. This decoration was created to recognize the exceptional bravery and seamanship of crews serving aboard German merchant vessels that successfully penetrated the Allied naval blockade imposed around Axis-controlled Europe. These missions were among the most dangerous of the war at sea, requiring long-range voyages under constant threat from British surface ships, aircraft, and submarines.
The badge was designed by Otto Placzeck of Berlin and features a powerful and symbolic motif. The obverse depicts a merchant ship forcefully breaking through a heavy chain that forms a circular wreath around the badge, representing the Allied blockade. Mounted prominently on the bow of the vessel is a silvered German national eagle clutching a swastika, emphasizing state recognition of the perilous service performed by blockade runners. The overall design conveys motion, tension, and determination, hallmarks of Placzeck’s work.
Originally conceived as a civil decoration for merchant marine personnel, eligibility for the Blockade Runner Badge was expanded in December 1942 to include members of the Kriegsmarine who participated in blockade-running operations, reflecting the increasingly militarized nature of these missions as the war progressed.
This example bears the L/58 maker mark, indicating production by Artur Jäckel & Co., a known manufacturer of Third Reich awards. The badge retains a considerable amount of its original silver finish, particularly visible on the eagle and raised details, enhancing both its visual appeal and collectability. Surface wear is consistent with age, but the overall condition remains strong, with crisp details and an attractive patina.
The Blockade Runner Badge is among the more evocative naval awards of the Third Reich, representing a narrow but highly hazardous aspect of Germany’s wartime maritime effort. Examples in well-preserved condition, especially with significant original finish remaining, are increasingly scarce and highly sought after by collectors of World War II naval and merchant marine memorabilia.
