The item featured here is a German Infantry Assault badge. As issued during WWII. The badge was designed by C.E. Junker of the city of Berlin. After a series of reviews the design was approved. After that it went into full production and was instituted as a recognized badge of the Third Reich on December 20th 1939. The authorization was handed down by Generaloberst Von Brauchtisch.

BADGE REQUIREMENTS
The main purpose for this award was to reward troops who excelled in combat. The criteria for the award was as follows:

1. Soldier engaged in hand to hand combat while supported by armor. 2. Bronze badge - Fifteen days of close combat. Reduced to ten days if the soldier is wounded. 3. Silver badge - Thirty days of close combat. reduced to twenty if the soldier is wounded. 4. Gold badge - Serving fifty days in close combat. Reduced to forty days if soldier is wounded. 5. Russian front (1941) - Five close combat days represent eight months of service. 6. Russian front (1941) - Ten close combat days represent twelve months of service. 7. Russian front (1941) - Fifteen close combat days represent fifteen months of service.

Several manufacturers produced this badge and it was distributed in large quantities, making it one of the most common and readily available awards of the Third Reich. However, this has not proven to be a deterrent to the makers of reproductions. There are a lot of fakes out in the market. Hitler had an affinity for the Close Combat badge. He was instrumental in the development of the award. In the early days he reserved the right of awarding himself the gold class badge to any soldier who earned it. The first set of awards issued by Hitler took place on August 27th 1944, where he gave them to fourteen members of the Waffen SS and army. The Close Combat clasp was worn on the left breast of the tunic, above the ribbons. This sample is nicely marked with raised lettering. The badge was designed by Ernst Wilhelm Peckhause. He was an artist from the city of Berlin. By the end of the war a total of 403 Gold Close Combat badges were issued to armed forces personnel.

The award was normally issued by the regimental commander and was worn on the lower left portion of the tunic. Several manufacturers produced this badge and it was distributed in large quantities, making it one of the most common and readily available awards of the Third Reich. However, this has not proven to be a deterrent to the makers of reproductions. There are a lot of fakes out in the market.

BADGE DESIGN
The badge consists of a square with a series of leaves and patterns emminating to the left and right. A crossed grenade and K98 bayonet are found on teh bottom section of the square. An eagle with extended wings and clutching a swastika is found in the upper section.

A separate square is attached to the badge to provide a background to the center section.

PIN AND HINGE DESIGN
A horizontal pin is hinged at the side of the badge. A catch is attached to the bottom portion, securing the pin shut. The award was worn on the tunic by passing the pin through loops sewn onto the jacket of the recipient.