Juncker General Assault Badge

Product Description: This is a great example of a Juncker General Assault Badge. This one is attributed to Juncker, one of the premiere badge manufacturers of the Third Reich, and a very desirable maker among collectors. It is a very high quality example, as is typical for Juncker pieces, and it has the normal Juncker hardware setup. This one is a solid back version, struck from zinc. There is some evaporation of the original silver wash, revealing the gray color of the zinc base metal. About 70 percent of the original silver finish remains to the front of this Juncker General Assault Badge, with some minor and typical bubbling evident. The contrast between the bright original finish, and the gray base metal, makes for a striking appearance. Most of the finish has evaporated from the back of the badge, though the hardware setup retains the finish, as is typical. Overall, it’s just a nice, representative example of a Juncker General Assault Badge. A classic award from one of the most sought-after makers of German combat badges.

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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