Destroyer War Badge

World War II German military decoration

Award

Destroyer War Badge
Zerstörerkriegsabzeichen

1957 version (swastika removed)

Type| Badge
Awarded for| service in Kriegsmarine destroyers
Presented by| Nazi Germany
Eligibility| Military personnel
Campaign(s)| World War II
Status| Obsolete
Established| 4 June 1940

The Destroyer War Badge (German: Zerstörerkriegsabzeichen) as a World War II German military decoration and awarded to officers and crew for service on Kriegsmarine destroyers. It was instituted on 4 June 1940 by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder following the battle of Narvik. It was also awarded to the crews of torpedo boats and fast attack craft until the institution of the Fast Attack Craft War Badge.[1]

## Design[edit]

The medal, designed by Paul Carsberg of Berlin, consists of an outer oakleaf laurel wreath of oak leaves with the national emblem of eagle clutching a swastika (both golden coloured) at its apex. The central area features a side-view of a destroyer cutting through a wave (both silver-grey to black in colour).[2] It was worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross if awarded. Additionally, an embroidered cloth version was produced.[3]

## Criteria for award[edit]

Required qualifications prior to 10 October 1940 included participation in the battles of Narvik. After this date:[1]

* Wounded in action
* Served on ship sunk in action (Z1)
* Participation in three enemy engagements or at least in 12 non-enemy sorties
* Outstanding performance or other heroic deeds in a single action

## Notes[edit]

1. ^ a b Angolia 1987, p. 127.
2. ^ Angolia 1987, pp. 127–130.
3. ^ Angolia 1987, p. 130.

## References[edit]

* Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.

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Orders, decorations, and medals of Nazi Germany

Decorations to all services|

* Bandit-warfare Badge
* Clasp to the Iron Cross
* Condor Legion Tank Badge
* Driver Proficiency Badge
* Eastern Medal
* German Cross
* German Occupation Medals
* Grand Cross of the Iron Cross
* Honour Roll Clasp
* Iron Cross
* Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
* Spanish Cross
* War Merit Cross
* War Merit Medal
* Wehrmacht Long Service Award
* West Wall Medal
* Wound Badge

Wehrmacht / Waffen-SS|

* Army Anti-Aircraft Badge
* Blue Division Medal
* Close Combat Clasp
* General Assault Badge
* Infantry Assault Badge
* Mountain Guide Badge
* Panzer Badge
* Sniper's Badge
* Tank Destruction Badge

Luftwaffe|

* Aircrew Badge
* Air Gunner Badge
* Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge
* Aviator badge
* Balloon Observer's Badge
* Flyer's Commemorative Badge
* Front Flying Clasp of the Luftwaffe
* Glider Pilot Badge
* Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe
* Luftwaffe Honor Goblet
* Luftwaffe Honor plate
* Observer Badge
* Parachutist Badge
* Pilot/Observer Badge
* Radio Operator Badge

Kriegsmarine|

* Auxiliary Cruiser Badge
* Blockade Runner Badge
* Destroyer War Badge
* Fast Attack Craft War Badge
* High Seas Fleet Badge
* Minesweeper War Badge
* Naval Artillery War Badge
* Naval Front Clasp
* U-boat Front Clasp
* U-boat War Badge

‎Campaign Shields|

* Cholm Shield
* Crimea Shield
* Demyansk Shield
* Kuban Shield
* Lapland Shield
* Narvik Shield
* Warsaw Shield

‎Campaign Cuff Titles|

* Crete Cuff Title
* Africa Cuff Title
* Metz 1944 Cuff Title
* Courland Cuff Title

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