The sign for melee

"For melee»

Germany, 1940's. Good collection state of relief, loss needle on the reverse. The mark of the manufacturer. Internal tablet, possibly removed for cleaning, however, the original. Recommended!

history there were three variants of the mark "For melee»: for the ground forces, air force and Navy. The first two differed externally only the type of the eagle Empire. Maritime version of the mark had only the vaguest resemblance with the other two.
For land forces and the Luftwaffe sign was a bronze (later zinc) a bunch of oak leaves, similar in form to the square in the center of which was located crossed a hand grenade and a dagger, and above them - the Imperial eagle and the swastika. Krigsmarine eagle with a swastika, a dagger and a grenade was replaced by a Laurel wreath with the anchor inside. The size of the mark - 97 x 27 mm; mount - horizontal pin.
Choice of the ground forces was established on 5 November 1942, the air force - November 3, 1944, naval forces - November 19, 1944.
In the army badge was awarded to participants melee fighting, while for awarding counted the days that occurred hand-to-hand confrontations with the enemy. For servicemen who fought on the Eastern front, or on the African theatre of war from June 22, 1941, or 26 March 1943, respectively, a rule was introduced ceremony, at which time:
From 8 to 12 calendar months was equal to 5 days of fighting;
From the 12 to 15 months to 10 days of fighting;
more Than 15 calendar months to 15 days of fighting.
For servicemen Luftwaffe same rule was introduced on 1 January 1944. The status of the sign had three degrees:
3rd degree (bronze or blackened) was awarded to 15 days of fighting.
2nd degree (silver plated) - within 30 days of fighting.
1st degree (gilt) - 50 days of fighting.
In the presence of the highest degree of the lower one is not worn. The marks were awarded as an incentive badly wounded people, at the rate of 10 days of fighting 3-rd degree, 20 days of fighting - for the 2-nd degree and 40 days of fighting - for 1-St degree. From August 1944, the rule was abolished. Servicemen of the Luftwaffe, past received military option, replace it at the same sign of the air force. The amount awarded 1st degree - total 403 people.
About the naval variant of the mark "For melee» is known very little. One thing is clear: this sign among German sailors was extremely rare.

Good collectors condition terrain, the loss of the hook of a hook of the needle on the reverse, traces of soldering.

There were three versions of the sign "For melee": for the army, air force and Navy. The first two differed outwardly only in the type of Imperial eagle. The marine version of the sign had only a vague resemblance with the other two.
For the army and Luftwaffe badge was a bronze (later zinc) a bunch of oak leaves, similar in shape to a square, in the center of which was located a crossed hand grenade and a dagger, and above them is the Imperial eagle and the swastika. The Kriegsmarine eagle with swastika, dagger and grenade replaced the Laurel wreath with an anchor inside. The symbol size is 97 x 27 mm; mounting – horizontal pin.
Option of ground forces was established on 5 November 1942, air force, 3 November 1944, the naval forces on 19 November 1944.
In the army badge was awarded to participants, martial, for the awarding of the counted days that were hand-to-hand collision with the enemy. For soldiers who fought on the Eastern front or the African theater of war from 22 June 1941 to 26 March 1943, respectively, introduced the rule of rewarding, in which the term:
From 8 to 12 calendar months equated to 5 days of fighting;
12 to 15 calendar months to 10 days of fighting;
More than 15 calendar months to 15 days of fighting.
For Luftwaffe troops the same rule was introduced on 1 January 1944. Status badge had three grades:
3-I degree (or blackened bronze) were awarded for 15 days of fighting.
2nd degree (silver plated) – 30 days of fighting.
1st degree (gold plated) – for 50 days of fighting.
In the presence of highly worn lower is not. Also the symbols that were given as incentives, wounded, 10 days of fighting for the 3rd degree, 20 days of fighting for 2nd degree and 40 days of fighting for 1st degree. From August 1944, the rule was abolished. Soldiers of Luftwaffe who received the earlier army version, replaced it with an identical sign of the air force. The amount awarded 1st degree – a total of 403 people.
About the naval version of the sign "For melee" very little is known. One thing is clear: this sign among German seafarers was extremely rare.