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Condition: Excellent
Maker: Juncker
Pattern: Hollow Back
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Product Description: This Juncker General Assault Badge is a desirable, early piece, made by one of the premiere award manufacturers of the Third Reich. It’s a hollow back type, stamped from zinc. The obverse retains about 95 percent of the original finish, which shows some attractive patina and age toning. There is little or no wear, and all of the original detail remains present. The reverse of this Juncker General Assault Badge also retains all of the thick original silvering, with some built-up patination in the recesses of the design. There is no maker mark, but the hardware on this appealing badge is textbook Juncker, with a barrel hinge, round wire pin and catch. The hardware shows no sign of repair and remains functional. This early General Assault Badge has exceptional finish and is in excellent condition overall.
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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