Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe

The general criteria for its presentation was the participation in three separate combat operations on separate days. Luftwaffe soldiers who had already been awarded combat recognition badges of the Heer (German Army), such as the General Assault Badge or the Infantry Assault Badge, were required to exchange their badges for the Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe. To accomplish this distinction, Göring instituted four numbered grades on 10 November 1944 based on the number of combat operations. The new badge was changed at its base to incorporate the operations number marking each new grade. • 2nd grade (II. Stufe) for 25 eligible operations • 3rd grade (III. Stufe) for 50 eligible operations • 4th grade (IV. Stufe) for 75 eligible operations • 5th grade (V. Stufe) for 100 eligible operations

• Name — Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe • Presenter — Nazi Germany • Type — Badge • Eligibility — Military personnel of the Luftwaffe • Awarded For — Participation in three separate combat operations on separate days by Luftwaffe personnel • Campaign — World War II • Status — Obsolete • Established — * 31 March 1942 • 26 July 1957 (Denazified, swastika-removed version re-established for wear among WWII veterans properly awarded the badge and serving in the Bundeswehr) • Related — * Infantry Assault Badge • General Assault Badge • Close Combat Clasp • Caption2 — Soldier wearing the Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe on the left side of the uniform.

• Illustration — 5th grade • Illustration — 1957 de-nazified version