The Close Combat Clasp (German: Nahkampfspange) is a German military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for achievement in hand to hand fighting in close quarters. The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket. These awards were introduced in 1942 for achievement in close combat. All battles and their dates had to be documented by the battle commander then verified.
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Close Combat Clasp in Gold, Silver, and BronzeAwarded byTypeEligibilityand personnelAwarded forCampaign(s)StatusObsoleteStatisticsEstablished25 November 1942Total awarded36,400 Bronze Class9,500 Silver Class631 Gold Class.Post 1957 version without eagle and swastikaThe Close Combat Clasp (: Nahkampfspange) is a military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for participation in at close quarters. Intended primarily for, other and units were also eligible.The clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket, above any medal. It was die-cast and made of either or later. The design of all three classes was the same, with a centerpiece consisting of the eagle and swastika national emblem surmounting a crossed and with, each side, a spray of oakleaves, interspersed with a sunburst ray effect.
The clasp was slightly curved and measured 9.7cm by 2.6cm.The award was bestowed in three classes:. Bronze for 15 close combat battles. Silver for 25 battles.
Gold for 50+ battlesFor those severely wounded, there was discretion to make the award after 10, 20 and 40 battles.The Gold Close Combat Clasp was often regarded in higher esteem than the by the German infantry, and Hitler reserved the right to bestow this class personally. Of the roughly 18â20 million soldiers of the German Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS, 36,400 received the Bronze Class, 9,500 the Silver Class and 631 the Gold Class.ground troops had been eligible for the Close Combat Clasp from its creation. In November 1944 a Luftwaffe version with a distinct design was approved, applying the same award criteria and three classes as the existing clasp. While awards of the new clasp were authorised, and award certificates issued, there is no evidence that it was actually manufactured and presented before the end of the war.Nazi era awards were initially banned by the post-war. In 1957 many World War II military decorations, including the Close Combat Clasp, were re-authorised for wear by qualifying veterans. As display of the was banned, the clasp was re-designed to remove the eagle and swastika symbol. References.
Close Combat Clasp Nahkampfspange |
|
---|---|
Awarded by Nazi Germany | |
Type | Clasp |
Eligibility | Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS personnel |
Awarded for | Hand-to-hand fighting |
Campaign(s) | World War II |
Status | Obsolete |
Statistics | |
Established | 25 November 1942 |
Total awarded | 36,400 Bronze Class 9,500 Silver Class 631 Gold Class.[1] |
Post 1957 version without eagle and swastika |
The Close Combat Clasp (German: Nahkampfspange) is a World War IIGerman military award instituted on 25 November 1942 for participation in hand-to-hand fighting at close quarters. Intended primarily for infantry, other Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS units were also eligible.[2]
The clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket, above any medal ribbon bar.[3] It was die-cast and made of either tombac or later zinc. The design of all three classes was the same, with a centerpiece consisting of the eagle and swastika national emblem surmounting a crossed bayonet and hand grenade with, each side, a spray of oakleaves, interspersed with a sunburst ray effect. The clasp was slightly curved and measured 9.7cm by 2.6cm.[4]
The award was bestowed in three classes:[5]
- Bronze for 15 close combat battles
- Silver for 25 battles
- Gold for 50+ battles
For those severely wounded, there was discretion to make the award after 10, 20 and 40 battles.[3]
The Gold Close Combat Clasp was often regarded in higher esteem than the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross by the German infantry,[1] and Hitler reserved the right to bestow this class personally.[2] Of the roughly 18â20 million soldiers of the German Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS, 36,400 received the Bronze Class, 9,500 the Silver Class and 631 the Gold Class.[1]
Luftwaffe ground troops had been eligible for the Close Combat Clasp from its creation.[6] In November 1944 a Luftwaffe version with a distinct design was approved, applying the same award criteria and three classes as the existing clasp.[7] While awards of the new clasp were authorised, and award certificates issued, there is no evidence that it was actually manufactured and presented before the end of the war.[6]
Nazi era awards were initially banned by the post-war Federal Republic of Germany. In 1957 many World War II military decorations, including the Close Combat Clasp, were re-authorised for wear by qualifying veterans.[8] As display of the swastika was banned, the clasp was re-designed to remove the eagle and swastika symbol.[9]
![Close combat clasp in gold Close combat clasp in gold](https://www.unionmilitaria.com/images/201608/source_img/308_P_1470972964524.jpg)
References[edit]
- ^ abcBerger 2004, p. 6.
- ^ abWilliamson 2012, p. 6.
- ^ abLittlejohn and Dodkins 1968, p. 153. Harv error: no target: CITEREFLittlejohn_and_Dodkins1968 (help)
- ^Williamson 2012, p. 7.
- ^Durante 2007.
- ^ abWilliamson 2012, p. 39.
- ^Littlejohn and Dodkins 1968, p. 178-179. Harv error: no target: CITEREFLittlejohn_and_Dodkins1968 (help)
- ^German Federal regulation: Nr. 14/97, July 1996, annex 13/8. Harv error: no target: CITEREFGerman_Federal_regulation:_Nr._14/97,_July_1996,_annex_13/8 (help)
- ^German Federal law: Titel, Orden und Ehrenzeichen, 26.7.1957, section 6. Harv error: no target: CITEREFGerman_Federal_law:_Titel,_Orden_und_Ehrenzeichen,_26.7.1957,_section_6. (help)
Sources[edit]
- Berger, Florian (2004), Ritterkreuzträger mit Nahkampfspange in Gold, ISBN3-9501307-3-X
- Durante, Thomas M. (2019). The German Close Combat Clasp of World War II - 2nd Edition. ISBN978-0-9600753-0-0.
- Durante, Thomas M. (2007). The German Close Combat Clasp of World War II. ISBN978-90-812301-1-7.
- German Federal law: Bundesministerium der Justiz: Gesetz über Titel, Orden und Ehrenzeichen, 26.7.1957. Bundesgesetzblatt Teil III, Gliederungsnummer 1132-1
- German Federal regulation: Dienstvorschriften Nr. 14/97. Bezug: Anzugordnung für die Soldaten der Bundeswehr. ZDv 37/10. (Juli 1996).
- Littlejohn, David and, Dodkins, Colonel C. M. (1968). Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing, California. ISBN978-0854200801.
- Williamson, Gordon (2012). World War II German Battle Insignia. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN1841763527.
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