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Condition: Excellent
Grade: 100
Maker: JFS
Product Description: This 100 Engagement General Assault Badge is one of the finest awards we have ever been able to offer. It’s a stunning example of a badge that is nearly impossible to obtain; we know of no other examples on the market at present. This badge is an absolutely textbook and untouched piece, in excellent condition, that would likely be impossible to ever upgrade. The front of the badge has an extremely impressive look, with nearly all of the original factory applied dark burnishing to the massive German eagle, bayonet and grenade emblem. The wreath retains most of the original gold finish, with nice luster; some areas have faded to reveal the gray color of the zinc, as is typical. The extremely rarely encountered box with “100” numeral retains the original black paint in the recesses. The reverse of this badge is correct in every regard, with textbook hardware crimped in place, and textbook aluminum rivets that are nice and tight. About half of the original gold finish is present on the reverse, though the hardware retains the finish as is typical. The banjo pin is functional, with no issues. This piece is maker marked with a stylized “JFS” in a box, indicating manufacture by the firm of Josef Feix & Söhne, in Gablonz. The 100 Engagement General Assault Badge was introduced in June 1943, and was awarded in very limited numbers, with even fewer having survived today, and fewer still in this condition. This is a spectacular object.
Historical Description: The German General Assault Badge was instituted on June 1, 1940. When the first Heer (Army) combat badges were instituted they only recognized those in the Infantry and Panzer (Tank) units. This left the supporting elements of the German Army without an award to recognize their combat achievements. Initially the General Assault Badge was intended for Combat Engineer units, but later this was expanded to include other units such as Panzerjäger’s (Tank Hunters), Cavalry Units, down to Medical Personnel who assisted the Infantry or Panzers during combat engagements. Eligibility also continued to grow to include members of the Luftwaffe (Air Force), Kreigsmarine (Navy), Waffen-SS, and Combat Police units.
The requirements for the General Assault Badge were the same as that of the Infantry Assault Badge and the Panzer Assault Badge. The soldier must have taken part in three combat assaults on three separate days. Three assaults in one day would only count as one assault. Before the institution of the Tank Destruction Strip, awarded to soldiers who destroyed a tank by means of explosives or mine, the single-handed destruction of an enemy tank would also earn the soldier the General Assault Badge.
The Standard General Assault Badge consists of an Oakleaves wreath surrounding a large National Eagle grasping the swastika with crossed bayonet and stick grenade underneath. The General Assault Badge can be found in several different base metals such as Brass, Copper Coated Aluminum, Copper Coated Zinc, and Zinc. The use of the different types of base metal was directly impacted by the war as it progressed. Shortages forced manufacturers to switch from quality base metals like brass to lower quality base metals like zinc.
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