Original German WWII French Made Kriegsmarine Destroyer War Badge – Bacqueville Attributed Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very “salty” example of the German WWII Kriegsmarine Destroyer War Badge, made of the standard zinc alloy used for many German WWII awards. The badge is in good condition, with a lovely aged patina, and looks to have been possibly a “battlefield pickup” based on the condition. The rear pin catch is still intact, however the top hook typical of French made badges is missing, though the hole remains.

The design of the badge consists of a gold washed oval oak leaf wreath, topped by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a mobile swas (hook cross), with a central depiction of a silver washed Destroyer in a choppy blue sea. The gold wash on this example is unfortunately completely missing.

This example was made in France during WWII, and conforms well to other known examples, with the horizontal pin catch and hook on the top, a hallmark of French-made badges from Bacqueville in Northern France. There was a large Kriegsmarine presence in this area on the Northern French Coast, including the Coastal Artillery Batteries, Submarine Pens, and so forth. This made it more convenient to source these specific badges in France.

A very nice “salty” example of a hard to find award!

The Destroyer War Badge (Zerstörerkriegsabzeichen) was a World War II German military decoration and awarded to officers and crew for service on Kriegsmarine destroyers. It was instituted on 4 June 1940 by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder following the battle of Narvik. It was also awarded to the crews of torpedo boats and fast attack craft until the institution of the Fast Attack Craft War Badge.

The medal, designed by Paul Carsberg of Berlin, consists of an outer oakleaf laurel wreath of oak leaves with the national emblem of eagle clutching a swas (both golden colored) at its apex. The central area features a side-view of a destroyer cutting through a wave (both silver-grey to black in color). It was worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross if awarded. Additionally, an embroidered cloth version was produced.

Required qualifications prior to 10 October 1940 included participation in the battles of Narvik. After this date:

-Wounded in action
-Served on ship sunk in action (Z1)
-Participation in three enemy engagements or at least in 12 non-enemy sorties
-Outstanding performance or other heroic deeds in a single action