Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge – GWL

Product Description: A superb example of the Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge – GWL (Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe), produced by the firm Gebr. Wegerhoff of Lüdenscheid and marked on the reverse with their distinctive “GWL” logo in raised relief. This badge is constructed entirely of zinc, featuring a finely detailed riveted eagle clutching a swastika in its talons, set against a dramatic lightning bolt motif—symbolic of ground combat action by Luftwaffe personnel.

The wreath retains much of its original silvered finish, with a smooth, even patina beginning to form, particularly at the high points, lending depth and authenticity to the presentation. The reverse hardware is fully intact and functional, with the original pin and clasp mechanism operating as intended. Free from repairs and displaying minimal wear, this example stands as a well-preserved and highly collectible representation of one of the Luftwaffe’s key combat awards.

Historical Description: In the early days of WWII, the German Air Force had few units intended to serve as infantry. As the war progressed, and especially after the disastrous first winter on the Eastern Front, more and more Luftwaffe personnel were being engaged in ground combat on the front lines. To recognize the combat experience of these soldiers, Luftwaffe chief Hermann Goering introduced the Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge on March 31, 1942. The badge had been designed by Sigmund von Weech and featured a Luftwaffe eagle and swastika emblem atop a wreath, within which was a storm cloud striking the earth with a bolt of lightning. Those Luftwaffe soldiers who had previously been awarded German Army ground combat badges such as the Infantry Assault Badge, General Assault Badge or Panzer Assault Badge, were to exchange them for the new Luftwaffe badge. To earn this badge, Luftwaffe soldiers had to survive three ground combat actions on three separate days, be wounded in a ground combat action, or to have earned another decoration in such an action. Luftwaffe soldiers killed in ground combat were to receive the award posthumously. Personnel who could receive this award included paratroopers, members of the Luftwaffe Field Divisions, assault gun crews, and even Flak crews tasked with using their anti-aircraft guns against ground targets. On some of these badges, mostly early versions, the Luftwaffe eagle is a separate piece, riveted on. Later in the war, the eagle was most often integral to the badge.

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