General Assault Badge - Assmann Mould "2" 1.1.6

The General Assault Badge (Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen) represents one of the most significant combat decorations of World War II and was instituted on June 1, 1940, by order of Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch, Commander-in-Chief of the Army. This decoration was intended to honor the bravery and fighting spirit of the infantry and other non-armored units that participated in assault operations.

The award criteria were clearly defined: a soldier had to participate in at least three infantry attacks, counterattacks, or hand-to-hand combat actions on different days. Alternatively, the badge could be awarded for special achievements in close combat or for wounds received in such actions. The badge was available to all Wehrmacht personnel who did not already qualify for the Infantry Assault Badge or the Tank Battle Badge.

The firm F.W. Assmann of Lüdenscheid was among the most important manufacturers of military decorations during the Third Reich. The company produced numerous orders and badges in various designs and quality levels. The identification through mold variants, such as the designated Mould “2” 1.1.6, enables collectors and historians today to determine more precisely the origin and production period of a piece.

This specimen manufactured from zinc represents the typical material choice of the later war years. While early productions were often made from high-quality materials such as bronze or silvered materials, increasing raw material shortages forced manufacturers to resort to alternative metals. Zinc proved to be a practical solution as it was available, malleable, and cost-effective. However, processing zinc placed special demands on casting techniques and surface treatment.

The design of the General Assault Badge features an oval oak leaf wreath enclosing a crossed rifle and hand grenade. This symbolism embodied the fundamental weapons of infantry in close combat. The design measured approximately 52 x 42 mm and was attached to the uniform by means of a pin on the reverse, typically on the left breast below the pocket.

Different manufacturers produced the badge with subtle variations in execution. The Assmann variants were characterized by certain distinctive features, such as the design of the oak leaves, the proportions of the weapons, or the type of pin construction. Over the decades, collectors have developed a detailed classification system to catalog these variants.

During the war, several hundred thousand General Assault Badges were awarded, reflecting the intensity of ground combat on all fronts. Recipients regarded the badge as an important recognition of their front-line service. It symbolized not only personal bravery but also membership in that group of soldiers who had experienced the hardest fighting of the war.

After the war's end, the production and wearing of such decorations were initially prohibited by the Allied control authorities. Later, the Law on Titles, Orders and Decorations of 1957 permitted the wearing of war decorations in “denazified” form, that is, without swastikas or other NS symbols. However, the General Assault Badge was not among the decorations for which replacement pieces were created.

Today, original assault badges are sought-after collectibles, with authenticity and manufacturer variant having considerable influence on historical and collector value. The scholarly study of these objects contributes to understanding military history, production techniques, and the material culture of World War II. Museums and research institutions document such artifacts as important witnesses to a tragic epoch of German and European history.