Original German WWII Kriegsmarine Minesweeper Badge with Named Award Document Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. The award document is for Matrosengefreiten Anton Theis. Matrosengefreiten is the Navy equivalent of a corporal. The document and badge were presented “An Board” on July 19th, 1941.

The Minesweeper (Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boot-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände) medal is constructed of tombak. the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, topped by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a mobile swas, with a central depiction of an exploding mine on top of detailed waves, the reverse with hinge and pinback meeting a styled catch, unmarked but with the physical characteristics of manufacture of a high quality maker and in tombac, not zinc.

The Minesweeper, Sub-Chaser and Escort Vessel War Badge (Kriegsabzeichen für Minensuch-, U-Boot-Jagd- und Sicherungsverbände) was instituted on August 31, 1941 by Kriegsmarine leader Grossadmiral Erich Raeder. The purpose of this award was to recognize the achievement and experience of the sailors on the German Navy’s minesweeper vessels. In this unnerving duty, sailors faced exposure to the elements as well as constant danger from mines, submarines, and airplanes. The Minesweeper Badge features a representation of an exploding sea mine, surrounded by a wreath and surmounted by the German national eagle and swas emblem. It was designed by Otto Placzek and was made in tombak and zinc, with most later examples being the zinc type. The award could be ordered by leaders of minesweeper boats, patrol boats, and special units, and by superior Kriegsmarine commands. To qualify for this badge, a sailor had to make three operational sorties, be wounded on a sortie, show exemplary conduct over a six-mionth period, participate in an especially dangerous mission, serve on escort duty for 25 days or more, or be on a ship that was sunk by enemy action- the badge could be awarded posthumously.