Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice example of the German WWII Kriegsmarine Destroyer War Badge, made of the standard zinc alloy used for many German WWII awards. The badge is in very good condition, with a lovely aged patina. Unfortunately the plating on the badge is all but gone.

The design consists of an oval oak leaf wreath, topped by a Wehrmacht eagle clutching a mobile swas (hook cross), with a central depiction of a silver washed Destroyer in a choppy blue sea. The reverse is solid, with a standard pinback attachment, which is fully functional. It is maker marked on the back with S. H. u. Co., for manufacture by Sohni Heubach & Co. of Oberstein, Germany, a well known maker of WWII badges.

A very nice example of a hard to find award!

The Destroyer War Badge (Zerstörerkriegsabzeichen) was 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.

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 swas (both golden colored) at its apex. The central area features a side-view of a destroyer cutting through a wave (both silver-grey to black in color). 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.

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

-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