Original wartime Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge, officially known as the Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe, complete with an accompanying period issue packet printed “Luftwaffen-Erdkampf-Abzeichen.”
The badge features the distinctive oak-leaf wreath, storm cloud and lightning bolt design together with a separately applied silver-coloured Luftwaffe eagle. Its main body appears to be zinc, while the eagle is a separate metal component secured to the badge.
The reverse retains its original vertical pin, hinge and catch assembly. Natural finish loss, oxidation and dark age patina remain untouched throughout.
Most importantly, the surviving issue packet substantially improves the collector appeal of this already desirable Luftwaffe combat award.
€ 595
1 in stock
This Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge is an attractive original-style example of one of the principal combat decorations awarded to members of the German Air Force who fought in ground operations during the Second World War.
Known officially as the Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe, the award was instituted on 31 March 1942. It recognised Luftwaffe personnel who distinguished themselves in direct ground combat. Contemporary regulations generally required participation in qualifying combat actions on at least three separate days.
Unlike flying qualification badges, the Erdkampfabzeichen specifically recognised combat performed on the ground.
The design is immediately distinctive.
An oval oak-leaf wreath surrounds a dramatic central composition of storm clouds and a lightning bolt striking downward. Above the cloud sits the Luftwaffe eagle holding the national emblem.
The original design was created by artist Sigmund von Weech. Specialist references confirm the combination of oak wreath, storm cloud, lightning bolt and separately applied eagle seen on wartime examples.
This symbolism deliberately combined Luftwaffe identity with direct ground combat.
The badge shown here uses multi-piece construction.
The principal wreath, cloud and lightning section appears manufactured from zinc, a material extensively used for later wartime German decorations.
A separately manufactured silver-coloured Luftwaffe eagle is mounted across the upper portion of the badge.
That feature is important because genuine Erdkampfabzeichen were produced in numerous variants with separately applied eagles made from non-ferrous metal, nickel silver or other alloys. Weitze specifically documents zinc examples with separately riveted eagle applications.
The different ageing visible between the darker zinc body and brighter eagle is therefore not automatically problematic.
Instead, it is compatible with the use of two different materials.
The front retains a very attractive untouched appearance.
Much of the original dark toning survives within the cloud and lightning bolt.
Meanwhile, the wreath has mellowed toward a grey-brown patina typical of aged zinc.
The separately applied eagle remains considerably brighter, although its finish has also toned naturally.
Importantly, I would not polish or chemically clean this badge.
Finish loss and natural oxidation are expected on wartime zinc awards and form part of the badge’s historical character.
The reverse is equally important for authentication.
A long vertical pin runs between the upper hinge and lower retaining catch.
The reverse surface displays extensive natural oxidation and ageing.
No obvious modern bright solder or recently manufactured hardware can be seen in the photographs.
The eagle is clearly a separate component rather than being cast as part of the main body.
Although several manufacturers produced this award, I cannot see a maker mark clearly enough in the supplied photographs to give a responsible named attribution.
Therefore, the safest catalogue description is:
Original Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge – unmarked manufacturer
rather than assigning it to Juncker, Hammer & Söhne, Rudolf Karneth or another maker without sufficient die and hardware evidence.
The accompanying brown paper packet is one of the most interesting parts of this set.
Its black Gothic-style inscription reads:
Luftwaffen-
Erdkampf-
Abzeichen
This is exactly the German title associated with the award.
Period award packets substantially enhance the collector appeal of wartime decorations because many were discarded after the badge was issued.
Ratisbon’s has documented original Erdkampfabzeichen issue packets separately, including maker-marked examples produced for Arno Wallpach and G.H. Osang.
Likewise, complete badge-and-packet sets remain considerably more desirable than loose badges.
Ratisbon’s sold an unissued Osang Erdkampfabzeichen with its original issue packet for €795 in 2020.
More recently, a J.E. Hammer & Söhne badge with matching issue envelope sold for €375 in September 2025.
Consequently, the packet should be stored flat and handled as little as possible.
The increasing commitment of Luftwaffe personnel to land warfare created the need for a dedicated ground-combat award.
The Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge was therefore instituted on 31 March 1942 by Hermann Göring in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe.
Qualification normally required active participation in front-line combat on three different days.
Eligible actions included assault operations and close combat.
Later regulations expanded eligibility to additional Luftwaffe personnel, including signals and medical personnel under particular combat circumstances.
As the war continued, Luftwaffe Field Divisions, Fallschirmjäger formations, Flak personnel and other air-force units increasingly fought as ground forces.
The award therefore became an important visible distinction for Luftwaffe personnel who had participated directly in land combat.
Originally, the Erdkampfabzeichen existed as a single basic grade.
However, by late 1944 additional grades were introduced for personnel who had accumulated much higher numbers of qualifying combat actions.
These later numbered classes represented 25, 50, 75 and 100 qualifying engagements.
The present badge is the standard original form without an engagement-number plaque.
From the photographs supplied, this Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge presents positively as a period example.
Encouraging features include the zinc-type main body, separately applied eagle, correct general form, long pin assembly, naturally aged reverse and convincing finish loss.
The accompanying packet also displays believable period paper, typography and ageing.
However, I would avoid naming a manufacturer until the die characteristics and pin fittings have been compared directly with documented examples.
Helmut Weitze currently lists genuine zinc Erdkampfabzeichen examples with riveted eagles at approximately €450, including attributed examples by Hammer & Söhne.
Ratisbon’s has also documented Hammer & Söhne examples at €360–€410, depending on condition.
Overall condition is very good original combat-worn condition.
The main zinc body displays substantial age toning and finish loss.
Darkened finish survives particularly well within the recessed cloud and lightning details.
The applied eagle remains complete and retains considerably more of its lighter finish.
The pin, hinge and catch remain present.
No attempt should be made to re-silver the wreath or improve the darkened zinc finish.
Likewise, the packet should not be flattened under heavy pressure, repaired with modern tape or chemically cleaned.
Loose Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badges are collectible in their own right.
An example accompanied by its original-style issue packet is considerably more appealing.
Furthermore, the contrast between the dark zinc body and separately applied eagle gives this badge the distinctive multi-piece appearance associated with many wartime examples.
For a specialist Luftwaffe awards collection, Fallschirmjäger display or broader German combat-badge collection, this represents an excellent display piece.
Explore related listings: Luftwaffe; Nordmenn Militaria – Medals and Awards; Original WWII FLL Infantry Assault Badge in Silver.
For a specialist market and construction comparison:
Helmut Weitze documents original Luftwaffe Erdkampfabzeichen manufactured in zinc with separately applied eagles.
Helmut Weitze – Luftwaffe Awards Reference
For auction comparisons:
Ratisbon’s archive records original Erdkampfabzeichen by recognised manufacturers including Hammer & Söhne, Rudolf Karneth, Wallpach and Juncker.
Ratisbon’s – Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge Reference
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Award | Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge |
| German name | Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe |
| Organisation | Luftwaffe |
| Period | 1942–1945 |
| Main material | Zinc-type alloy |
| Eagle | Separately applied metal eagle |
| Design | Oak wreath, storm cloud and lightning |
| Reverse | Vertical pin, hinge and catch |
| Maker | Unmarked / presently unidentified |
| Packet | “Luftwaffen-Erdkampf-Abzeichen” |
| Condition | Very good, naturally aged |
