Kriegsmarine Proficiency Badge for Small Battle Units
machine-embroidered cloth version on dark blue wool, unworn, with slight moth damage, condition 2-.
Of the sleeve badges, only this one machine-embroidered version exists; all other productions, e.g. hand-embroidered with metal thread, were all manufactured after 1945. The Proficiency and Combat Badges for Small Battle Units were instituted on November 30, 1944 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine Karl Dönitz. The Combat Badge was awarded to soldiers of the Small Battle Units who had volunteered as individual combatants. An additional requirement was a 2-month membership in the Small Battle Unit.
This sleeve badge originates from the estate of a Kriegsmarine Bootsmann, which we were able to purchase recently. In the estate, in addition to various sleeve, rank, and cap badges, there were a total of 20 Proficiency Badges for Small Battle Units. We assume that the petty officer was an instructor with the Small Battle Units who distributed the badges after successful completion of training. These were then probably the sleeve badges remaining with him at the end of the war.
Of the sleeve badges, only this one machine-embroidered version exists; all other productions, e.g. hand-embroidered with metal thread, were all manufactured after 1945. The Proficiency and Combat Badges for Small Battle Units were instituted on November 30, 1944 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine Karl Dönitz. The Combat Badge was awarded to soldiers of the Small Battle Units who had volunteered as individual combatants. An additional requirement was a 2-month membership in the Small Battle Unit.
This sleeve badge originates from the estate of a Kriegsmarine Bootsmann, which we were able to purchase recently. In the estate, in addition to various sleeve, rank, and cap badges, there were a total of 20 Proficiency Badges for Small Battle Units. We assume that the petty officer was an instructor with the Small Battle Units who distributed the badges after successful completion of training. These were then probably the sleeve badges remaining with him at the end of the war.
