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Condition: Near Mint
Maker: Gustav Brehmer, “GB42”
Base Material: Zinc
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Product Description: This GB42 General Assault Badge is an outstanding example of a tough to find variant. It is struck from fine zinc. The obverse shows no wear, and retains all of the original detail. The original lacquer finish is nearly perfect. The reverse of this GB42 General Assault Badge is flat and smooth. Behind the eagle, it is stamped “G.B.42” indicating manufacture by the firm of Gustav Brehmer in 1942. This is a desirable maker, and most of the badges produced by this maker were unmarked; the maker marked ones like this are very sought after. The hardware setup on this badge features a sheet metal hinge and round wire pin and catch with catch plate. The pin works fine, and the hinge and catch are firmly in place with the original solder. This General Assault Badge is in pristine condition and is an exceptional example of this type.
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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