WOUND BADGE IN GOLD
The wound badge whas introduced by Hitler in 1939 on the 1st of September.
It varied in several points from the Spanish form.
There are three types available of the wound badge;
The black award, the silver award and the gold award.
The gold grade was initially manufactured from gold plated or polished brass. The reverse was again solid with the same pin characteristics and marks as the Silver grade. It was awarded for five or more wounds, and was also awarded for serious wounds in cases of total blindness or total disability. It should be noted that both Silver and Gold badges were also made from gilt-washed zinc as the war progressed. By 1945, as quality became less important and materials scarce, some black badges were being painted the appropriate color and issued as both silver and gold grades. In these cases the reverse is almost always hollow.
There where numerous makers and pin constructions.
As the air war progressed, numerous civilian personnel became injured and Dr Goebbels considered it fitting second World War Decorations that they should be rewarded!
So from March 1943, at his suggestion, all civilians became eligible for the award.
The Wound Badge could be presented either in a presentation case or an envelope. The Silver and Gold grade were normally, though not always, presented in a case and the Black grade was commonly presented in an envelope. The cases, which were similar to the ones used by other awards such as the Iron Cross, were made of wood and covered in simulated leather. The LDO logo was sometimes stamped on the outside of the lid and the inside base was covered by flocked material while the inside of the lid was covered with white satin. The envelopes came with the name and class of the award written in gothic script. The recipient was also presented witha document bearing the proper official signatures and stamps. All badges were worn on the left pocked of the uniform below any other decorations.
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