Description

WW2 German Navy U-boat badge, mid war piece. Good condition used badge, shows well detailed oval wreath and crossed bow, encompassing, the national eagle and swastika. The U-boat is well detailed with propeller, fin and rudder along with stylised line to port side, along with flag, deck gun and conning tower. The rear of the badge shows the gilt finished coke bottle pin and latch, being unmarked. The badge is a mid to late war example of zinc construction, which has seen the majority of its original gold wash disappear. Good cheap starter badge.

The U-boat War Badge was originally instituted during WW1 on February 1, 1918. It was awarded to recognize U-boat crews who had completed three war patrols. The badge was worn on the lower left side of the uniform and was oval shaped resembling a wreath of laurel leaves. A submarine lay across the center and the German State Crown (Reichskrone) was inlaid at the top center of the wreath. On October 13, 1939, the U-boat War Badge was reinstituted again, shortly after the war began. It was very similar to the original badge with the exception of the Prussian crown which was replaced with a German Eagle, a swastika was added, and a more modernized submarine now facing towards the left was used.

There were several ways to be awarded this medal. The most common would be the completion of two war patrols. Although the completion of two war patrols might seem a lowly requirement, but a typical U-boat war cruise would often run into months at a time. As a contrast, the Infantry Assault Badge was awarded after three combat actions, which meant that they could be earned on three separate actions all under a week. Completing two war patrols was not only longer, but it was equally dangerous as the U-boat has to endure constant attacks by Allied aircraft and warships.
During the latter part of the war, U-boat losses were so great that many crewmen never made it past the second war patrol. The other occasion when this badge was awarded was on completion of an especially successful first patrol or having been wounded or killed in action. In the event of death, the award was presented to the next of kin.