German WWII General Assault Badge by JFS-This is a solid zinc example, with very nice detailing. The majority of the original silver finish is missing on this example, except for what remains in the lowest details, this is true for both the front and the back of the badge. This badge shows only light wear, the chest and wing feathers on the eagle are very strong. This pin is marked on the reverse with JFS for Josef Feix & Söhne, of Gablonz. The vertical pin setup functions perfectly. This really is a good looking badge.
History: The General Assault Badge was introduced on June 1st, 1940, by Generaloberst Walther von Brauchitsch, for award to support personnel who were ineligible for the Infantry or Panzer Assault badges. Criteria for award of the badge was basically the same as the criteria for award of the Infantry and Panzer Assault badges with the main qualification being participation in three separate assaults in a supporting role. On its introduction the badge was only intended for award to combat engineers and was designated, Pionier-Sturmabzeichen, (Engineer’s Assault Badge). Shortly afterwards award of the badge was extended to other support personnel including artillery and assault gun personnel, anti-tank and anti-aircraft personnel and medical personnel. Of Note: Before the introduction of the Tank Destruction Strip in March 1942, personnel who had single handedly destroyed an enemy tank with Infantry weapons were awarded the General Assault Badge.