Sniper's Badge
Sniper's Badge Scharfschützenabzeichen | |
---|---|
Type | Badge |
Awarded for | successes achieved with a rifle as a sniper |
Description | Cloth |
Presented by | Nazi Germany |
Eligibility | Military personnel |
Campaign(s) | World War II |
Status | Obsolete |
Established | 20 August 1944[1] |
The Sniper's Badge (German: Scharfschützenabzeichen) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to snipers. It was instituted on 20 August 1944.[1] Initially, it was only eligible to personnel serving in the German Army and the Waffen-SS.[1] Later, by order of the High Command, it was also made available to snipers of the other armed services.[1]
The sniper's badge had three grades:
- Third class (no cord) for 20 enemy kills[2]
- Second class (with silver cord) for 40 enemy kills[2]
- First class (with gold cord) for 60 enemy kills[2]
The enemy kills were counted from 1 September 1944. Close quarter kills made were not to be taken into account. Every enemy kill had to be confirmed by witnesses and reported to the unit.
Description[]
The sniper's badge was made of greenish-gray cloth, embroidered and oval shaped. It depicts a black eagle's head turned to its left with white plumage, ochre yellow-colored eyes and closed beak. The eagle's body is covered by three oak leaves and a left mounted acorn. The edges of the ribbon are sewn and the three stages are distinguished by a circumferentially sewn cord in silver (2nd class) or gold (1st class). The badge was worn on the right sleeve of the uniform.[3]
Recipients[]
- Matthäus Hetzenauer (Gold)
- Bruno Sutkus (Gold)
Notes[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Angolia 1987, p. 114.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Angolia 1987, p. 115.
- ^ Angolia 1987, pp. 114–115.
References[]
- Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.
External links[]
- Jörg Nimmergut: Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945. Band 4. Württemberg II-Deutsches Reich. Zentralstelle für wissenschaftliche Ordenskunde, München 2001, ISBN 3-00-001396-2.
- Brian L. Davis: Uniformen und Abzeichen des deutschen Heeres 1933–1945. Motorbuchverlag.
- Awards established in 1944
- Military awards and decorations of Nazi Germany
- 1944 establishments in Germany
- Sniper warfare