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Condition: Excellent
Maker: C.E. Juncker, Berlin
Base Material: Zinc
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Product Description: This Juncker General Assault Badge is an attractive, worn example of this award, by a relatively scarce and desirable maker. It’s made of Tombak coated zinc construction with soldered on set up, with a light, appealing patina throughout. On the obverse, honest wear exposes the base metal at the high points. Intact silvering in the recesses creates nice contrast. Some wear to the metal suggests this piece spent time on a uniform during the war. The reverse of this badge is hollow and retains virtually all of the original finish. There is no maker mark, but this desirable variant is known to have been manufactured by the firm of C.E. Juncker of Berlin The hardware is correct for this maker. The attachment pin has a blunt end and is functional. The hinge and catch remain held in place with the original solder. This Juncker General Assault Badge is complete and sound, with no repairs or damage. It has a great look and 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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