Breastplate of a submariner ( German: U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen ) - German military award, which was first awarded by Emperor Wilhelm II on February 1, 1918. On October 13, 1939, he was reintroduced by the Third Reich Navy Commander Erich Raeder . Designed by Paul Casberg .
| Submariner Breastplate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| U-boot-kriegsabzeichen | |||
| |||
| A country | Third Reich | ||
| Type of | badge of distinction | ||
| To whom is awarded | submariners | ||
| Award Basis | participation in three (later two) combat campaigns | ||
| Status | not awarded | ||
| Statistics | |||
| Established | February 1, 1918 , October 13, 1939 | ||
| Last reward | May 1945 | ||
| Senior award | |||
Description
The sign depicts a submarine in an oval laurel wreath . The size of the sign is 48x38.5 millimeters.
In the 1918 version, an imperial crown of the 1871 model is located above the laurel wreath, in the 1939 version is an imperial eagle with a swastika . In addition, on the sign of the 1918 version, the boat stem is directed to the right, in contrast to the left on the 1942 version.
Since 1942, the sign has been made of golden zinc , and copies from silver plated zinc are also extremely rare. In addition, there was a woven version of the sign made of gilded thread or yellow silk.
Awarding
In World War I, everyone who participated in three military campaigns aboard a submarine was awarded the sign. In World War II, participation in two military campaigns was sufficient, that is, participation in two attacks on enemy ships. Some individual submariners, such as Rolf Thomsen , were awarded after the first trip.
In fact, the sign had only one degree. However, at the end of 1942 a special version of the badge, the Breastplate of a diver with diamonds , was introduced. Actually, the sign remained the same, but was made of silver, and a slightly enlarged swastika was decorated with nine small diamonds. It should be noted that this award should be attributed more to the personal insignia of the commander of the submarine fleet Kriegsmarine , and not to the state award. In total, 29 awards were made, as a rule, simultaneously with the presentation of Oak leaves to the Knight's Cross. At the same time, there is a legend about the thirtieth award, when Hermann Goering handed Dönitz his own badge as an observer pilot in gold and diamonds, apparently in a fit of friendly feelings (this is a true part of the legend), and Dönitz in response to this gave Göring the sign of a diver with diamonds. However, the reciprocal award was not documented: there is only evidence of the Reichsmarschall’s retinue.
Both degrees were worn on a tunic on the left in the area of the breast pocket below the Iron Cross of the 1st class.
It was one of the most popular signs of the kriegsmarine . The right to award (excluding the highest degree of the badge) had the commanders of flotillas and formations.
Cavaliers of the Submariner's Badge with Diamonds
- Brandi, Albrecht
- Bleichrod, Henry
- Bulow, Otto von
- WOLFART, Herbert - December 20, 1939
- Guggenberger, Friedrich
- Giza, Robert
- Dönitz, Karl
- Zuren, Reinhard - December 31, 1941
- Kretschmer, Otto
- Lange, Hans-Gunther
- Lassen, Georg
- Lehmann-Wallenbrock, Henry
- Liebe, Henry
- Lute, Wolfgang
- Mor, Johan
- Mutzelburg, Rolf
- Merten, Karl Friedrich - January 30, 1943
- Topp, Erich - April 11, 1942
- Thomsen, Rolf
- Hardegen, Reinhard - May 7, 1942
- Hartmann, Werner
- Henke, Werner
- Schepke, Joachim
- Schnee, Adalbert
- Scholtz, Klaus
- Schutze, Victor
- Schulze, Herbert - July 15, 1941
- Emmerman, Karl - October 1, 1943
- Endrass, Engelbert - July 18, 1941
See also
- Badge for mine minesweepers
Links
Literature
- Kurt-Gerhard Klietmann: Auszeichnungen des Deutschen Reiches 1936-1945. ISBN 3-87943-689-4
- Kurylyov O.P .: Fighting awards of the Third Reich. M .: Eksmo Publishing House, 2007.- 352 p. ISBN 978-5-699-12721-4