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Condition: Excellent
Maker: Unknown
Base Material: CupAl (Copper Coated Aluminum)
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Product Description: This CupAl General Assault Badge has a wonderful look. This badge is made of “CupAl” which is copper and aluminum that has been mechanically pressed together to form a permanent bond. This is a desirable material, associated with early badges of the highest quality. This one retains about 85 percent of the original silver finish. Moderate wear to the obverse reveals the reddish color of the copper base metal, giving the badge a look of contrast and depth. Lots of original fine detail remains present on the design. The reverse of this CupAl General Assault Badge is flat and smooth, with all of the original finish, and a light age patina. It’s unmarked, and the manufacturer of this variant is unknown. The hardware setup shows no sign of repair, and features a sheet metal hinge, round wire pin and catch. The pin is functional, with a few bends, suggesting this badge was very likely worn on a soldier’s uniform during WWII. This top quality early badge is in excellent condition.
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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