The Infantry Assault Badge was a German war badge awarded to Waffen-SS and Wehrmacht Heersoldiers during the Second World War. This decoration was instituted on 20 December 1939 by the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army, GeneralfeldmarschallWalther von Brauchitsch. It could be awarded to members of non-motorized Infantry units and units of the Gebirgsjäger that had participated in infantry assaults, with light infantry weapons, on at least three separate days of battle in the front line on or after 1 January 1940. When a counter offensive led to fighting, it could also apply. Award of the Infantry Assault Badge was authorized at regimental command level.
Classes
Silver
The silver class was instituted on 20 December 1939 by the commander of the OKH, Walther von Brauchitsch, and was awarded to infantry soldiers according to one of the following criteria:
To have taken part in at least three: infantry assaults or at least three armed reconnaissance operations or engaged in hand-to-hand combat in an assault position or participated on three separate days in the reestablishment of combat positions.
Bronze
The bronze class was instituted on 1 June 1940. It was awarded to motorized/Mechanized Infantry troops according to the same criteria as listed above.
Design
The badge was designed by the company C. E. Junker of Berlin. It is oval in shape, with four oak leaves on each side; on the top is a national eagle clutching a swastika and a rifle with a fixed bayonet across the badge. The reverse of the badge is plain and has a pin attached to it. The original "silver" badges were made of silver-plate and the later ones were made of zinc. The "bronze" version was actually made of a "metal alloy". With the institution of the Ordensgesetz of 1957, German military personnel were permitted to wear de-nazified versions of German decorations. Also the badge was produced from 1957 as a de-nazified version in "silver" and "bronze", without the eagle clutching a swastika.
