Original German WWII General Assault Badge by Rudolf Souval with Named Award Document Original Items

Original Items: Only One Available. This is an excellent condition General Assault Badge with a Solid Back and functional pin. The badge measures approximately 2 1/8″ x 1 5/8″, and is in very good condition. The die struck zinc alloy body unfortunately has lost almost all of the original silvering, which is quite common. It presently is only visible around the edges. The back has a very nice steel pin and barrel hinge, which locks into a soldered in hook. It bears maker mark R. S. under the hinge, which represents manufacture by Rudolf Souval of Wien (Vienna), Austria.

As a rare treat, this award comes complete with its original named and dated Besitzzeugnis “possession/award” certificate! The award document indicates that it was awarded to Obergefreiten Helmut Hertel of 7. Schwadron / Kav.-Regt. Mitte on 6.11.1943. We have not been able to locate specific service information on Hertel, however Kavallerie Regiment Mitte (Cavalry Regiment center) was a force formed by Lieutenant Georg von Boeselager as the Boeselager Mounted Force. This basically united the various mounted reconnaissance units throughout the front.

A very nice example with some excellent research potential, ready to add to your collection!

The General Assault Badge (German: Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen) was a military decoration awarded during World War II to personnel of the German Army, Waffen-SS and Ordnungspolizei (order police) who supported an infantry attack but were not part of specific infantry units and therefore did not qualify for the Infantry Assault Badge. It was instituted by General Walther von Brauchitsch on 1 June 1940.

Design
The decoration, designed by the Berlin-based firm of Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus, was an oval disk that measured 5.3 cm (2 in) by 4.2 cm (2 in) by .6 cm (0 in) wide. A wreath of five oak leaves runs around the circumference on each side of the medal with a pair of acorns at the base. Inside the wreath is a large Wehrmacht-style eagle with folded wings grasping a swas which itself surmounts a crossed bayonet and stick grenade. The medal was held in place on the uniform with a pin and catch.

From 22 June 1943, the medal was adapted with a small plate at the base with either 25, 50, 75 or 100 to recognize those soldiers that had taken part in numerous attacks. These were known as grades II through IV, accordingly. On the Class IV badge, the oak leaves which run around the circumference on each side of the medal, along with the bayonet and hand grenade were larger in size. Further the wreath was gold in color.

Criteria for Award
The medal was originally designed for presentation to combat engineers, as well as members of the artillery, anti-aircraft and anti-tank who supported infantry units in combat. It could also be awarded to medical personnel attending to battlefield casualties in “close combat conditions”. Prior to the introduction of the Tank Destruction Badge, the General Assault Badge could be conferred for the single-handed destruction of tanks or armored vehicles.

Other determining factors for award:
– Ineligibility for the Infantry Assault Badge
– Participation in three infantry or armored attacks on three different days; or
– Participation in three infantry or armored indirect assaults on three different days.