Original German WWII Medal and Insignia Grouping with KvK II, Luftwaffe Insignia & More – 7 Items Original Items

Original Items: Only One Set Available. This is a very nice collection of German WWII Insignia & Awards, which was brought back from the European theater by a USGI after the war was concluded. Many solders traded these on the way back, and would end up with a pocket full of various different collectible items, and this set represents the typical “haul” one might have come back with. It includes some a wide variety of medals and insignia, including a War Merit Cross, Luftwaffe insignia, and more!

This lovely set includes:

– One German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords and Ribbon. In really good cosmetic shape with a maker mark of 10 on the ring, for maker Förster & Barth of Pforzheim. The medal has a lovely oxidized patina, and the ribbon is in great shape.

– One German WWII Luftwaffe Motor Vehicle Driver Trade Badge (Kraftfahrpersonal Tätigkeitsabzeichen). The badge is in good condition, with the colors well retained, but there is some moth damage to the felt backing.

– One German WWII Removed Insignia from a 2nd Pattern Grade I Heer Army Marksmanship Lanyard. It is marked on the back the the “Barred A” marking of F. W. Assmann & Söhne. All four retaining prongs are still present.

– One German WWII RAD Labor Corps Cap Badge. Maker marked on the back, it is in good condition but both securing prongs are missing.

– One German WWII 1934 TAG DER ARBEIT (Labor Day) Tinnie. Stamped brass and maker marked BAUMBERGER NÜRNBERG on the back. The pinback is still intact, and there is just a bit of oxidation on the obverse.

– One German WWII Luftwaffe Air Force Mannschaften (Enlisted Men) Double Silver Chevron badge. This would be for a Obergefreiter (Airman First Class).

– One German Pre-WWII 1932 1st National Socialist Reichs Day Of Youth Event Stick Pin.

A wonderful totally genuine grouping perfect for the German Medal and Insignia collector.

War Merit Cross 1st Class (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) with Swords (for Combat)
This was a decoration of NSDAP Germany during the Second World War, which could be awarded to military personnel and civilians alike. By the end of the war it was issued in four degrees, and had a related civil decoration. It was created by Adolf AH in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars. The award was graded the same as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service “not in direct connection with combat”, and without swords for meritorious service to civilians in “furtherance of the war effort”. As with the Iron Cross, Recipients had to have the lower grade of the award before getting the next level.

Luftwaffe Motor Vehicle Driver Trade Badge (Kraftfahrpersonal Tätigkeitsabzeichen).
The Luftwaffe utilized a wide variety of trade specialty badges, introduced at various times, for issue to qualified EM/NCO’s after successful completion of the appropriate training courses. The distinctive trade badges were generally worn on the lower left sleeve of the service tunic and the flight and field blouses as identifying insignia. The Motor Vehicle Drivers trade badge was introduced on November 8TH 1935, for wear by all EM/NCO personnel who had fulfilled the requirements to obtain a military drivers license and were appointed as a driver. Regulations in mid-1942 introduced gilt cord piping for the Motor Vehicle Drivers trade badge to signify “distinguished performance as a driver”. When issued with the additional gilt cord piping the badge came accompanied with an “award” certificate. Of Note: The Motor Vehicle Drivers trade badge should not be confused with the Armed Forces Driver’s Proficiency Badges that were introduced on October 23RD 1942 and were awarded for exceptional driving ability and vehicle maintenance in combat. The badge consists of a Luftwaffe blue/grey wool base with a machine embroidered, stylized Luftwaffe eagle superimposed on the likeness of a vehicle radiator grill, all in silver/grey threads. The badge measures approximately 55mm in diameter.