WWII German General Assault Badge Numbered Set

This WWII German General Assault Badge Numbered Set from Reddick Militaria is offered at a savings of 15% over the cost of individual pieces.  It contains one each of these rare, numbered badges:  25, 50, 75, and 100.  They are die-struck in exquisite detail with the number of engagements in a box at the bottom of the wreath. These are heavy, two-piece badges featuring riveted construction with a wide, flat pin and the correct style hinge and catch. Maker marked "JFS" for the well-known firm, "Josef Feix Söhne".

The Numbered General Assault Badge was instituted on June 22, 1943. This was in direct response to the increasing number of soldiers that continued to record “combat days” after having met the requirements for the standard badge. The different grades created by the German High Command were “25”, “50”, “75”, or “100”. The requirements for the Numbered General Assault Badge were similar to the standard version except the number of combat days required corresponded to the award number. For example, the General Assault Badge numbered “25” required the soldier to participate in 25 combat assaults on 25 different days. Many of these German soldiers did not live to see the required “combat days” for the higher grades of “75” and “100”.

The numbered grades were of the same general design as the standard version; however, they were produced in two pieces attached with rivets, similar to the Luftwaffe badges. They also were of heavier construction, featuring an enlarged eagle, wreath and crossed bayonet and potato masher, plus the addition of the numbered box at the bottom of the wreath denoting the grade.

The original General Assault Badge was instituted on June 1, 1940, under the same regulations as the Infantry Combat Badge. The Commander-in-Chief of the Army created a special combat badge for other soldiers to include those troops of the assault artillery who along with other infantry or armored units, as well as their own units, who may qualify for the Infantry Combat Badge shall be awarded the General Assault Badge. The award criteria for the General Assault Badge are the same as for the Infantry Combat Badge.