WW2 GERMAN ARMY DRIVER QUALIFICATION UNIFORM BADGE BRONZE

Description

Offered is an original German Army driver qualification badge in bronze, issued during WW2.

Stamped magnetic alloy award with a bronze wash, measuring 40mm x 45mm. Badge is in the form of an embossed, circular laurel leaf wreath encompassing an embossed steering wheel on a pebble background field. Complete with single prong and original backing plate and field grey uniform wool base.

On 23rd October 1942 Germany introduced a series of three Motor Vehicle Driver’s Proficiency Badges in the grades of bronze, silver and gold with qualifications for bestowal of the badges being retroactive to 1st December 1940. The badges were awarded to both Wehrmacht, (Armed Forces), personnel and civilian personnel, including Foreign volunteers and auxiliary personnel, under Wehrmacht command, who had fulfilled the required criteria. The criteria for bestowal of one of the badges varied with exceptional driving ability and vehicle maintenance being the main considerations and also included a prescribed amount of days under difficult weather or combat conditions. When awarded the badge was accompanied by an award certificate and was to be worn on the lower left sleeve of the field blouse and service tunic. The badges were mounted on cloth bases which were to match the uniform it was to be worn on. This example in bronze, is the lowest of the three grades.