The Army's Close Combat Clasp

The Close Combat Clasp was a German combat badge during World War II and was established by decree on November 25, 1942, by Adolf Hitler. The reason for this was the increasing severity and duration of the fighting in the East. A comparable award had never existed before in German military history. It was the highest German combat badge for infantrymen during World War II. It was established in three levels: bronze, silver, and gold, and could be awarded to soldiers of all ranks.

It served as a model for the Combat Action Badge of the US Army and for the GSG 9 activity badge of the German Federal Police.

Design of the close combat clasp

In the center of the clasp is an open square. The back of the square is closed with a crimped-in plate made of blackened iron (or in special cases non-ferrous metal). At the top of the square is the national eagle with a swastika in its claws. Below it are crossed stick grenades and bayonets, both symbols of close combat. The square is entwined with oak leaves. To the left and right of the square are wings, topped by rays, and above them more oak leaves. On the back is the wearing pin and often a manufacturer's designation, e.g. CE Juncker Berlin, GWL, FLL, HCL, or F&BL. The close combat clasp was designed by the Berlin sculptor Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus. Therefore, the back of the close combat clasp often bears the inscription "FEC. WE Peekhaus Berlin," as a reference to his authorship.

The clasps were generally made of zinc. However, there are also rare aluminum versions (manufacturer GWL). Depending on the grade, the clasps were bronzed, silvered, or gold-plated.

A special version is the so-called "presentation clasp." This version is only available in the gold grade. It is the only close combat clasp made of fire-gilded non-ferrous metal. The plate is not crimped, but riveted in the middle. On the back, it has a hook in the center for securing the clasp to the uniform. The clasp is significantly heavier overall and of higher quality. It was manufactured by CE Juncker, Berlin.
This clasp was not intended for daily wear, but only for special occasions. It was often handed out personally by Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler, or Colonel General Heinz Guderian.

Requirements for the award of the Close Combat Clasp

According to the decree, the award was made as a visible sign of recognition for soldiers who fight man-to-man with bare weapons and close combat equipment, but also as an incentive to fulfill their duty to the highest standards. The respective degrees were awarded:

After 15 days of melee combat, 1st level (Bronze)
After 30 melee days, 2nd level (silver)
After 50 melee days, 3rd level (gold)

Close combat days were all days of fighting on which the distinguished fighters had the opportunity to see the whites of the enemy's eyes, that is, to fight man to man with the opponent using close combat weapons until the final decision.
A further condition for the award was that the fighter had survived this situation unprotected and on foot.

For soldiers who were so severely wounded that they could no longer have the opportunity for close combat in the future, the Close Combat Clasp could, after special testing, already:

After at least 10 days of close combat in Bronze
After at least 20 melee days in silver
After at least 40 melee days in gold

The Close Combat Clasp was awarded posthumously to fallen or deceased soldiers who met the requirements. Soldiers taken prisoner of war or missing in action were generally ineligible.

Award numbers of the Close Combat Clasp

The Close Combat Clasp was awarded comparatively rarely compared to other Army combat badges. It was a highly prestigious award, and its recipients were held in high esteem. Recipients were also granted numerous privileges, from special food allowances and preferential treatment in everyday life to special leave, such as 21 days upon award of the gold Close Combat Clasp.

The Close Combat Clasp in bronze was awarded approximately 37.000 times.
The Close Combat Clasp in Silver was awarded approximately 10.000 times.
The Close Combat Clasp in Gold was awarded approximately 650 times.

If a soldier was not yet a recipient of the German Cross in Gold at the time of receiving the Close Combat Clasp in Gold, he was also awarded the latter. At receptions or troop visits, recipients of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold were to be saluted before all other attendees. This also applied if recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross were present at the same time . The first awards of the Close Combat Clasp in Gold took place on August 27, 1944. On that day, 14 soldiers of the Army and the Waffen-SS received the Close Combat Clasp in Gold at the Führer Headquarters from Adolf Hitler himself (presentation clasp).

How to wear the close combat clasp

The Close Combat Clasp was worn approximately 1 cm above the medal bar on the left chest, above all other awards. This was intended to emphasize its special significance. Upon attaining a higher level, the previous level had to be removed, thus a maximum of one Close Combat Clasp could be worn. The Close Combat Clasp could be worn with all Wehrmacht uniforms.
In the form according to the order law of 1957 (without swastika), the close combat clasp can also be worn in the Federal Republic.

The certificate for the Close Combat Clasp

The soldiers kept a close combat register in their paybook or military record to document the number of days of close combat required for the award of the Close Combat Clasp. The days were recorded with the place and date and confirmed by the unit commander.
A certificate bearing the signature of the unit commander and the stamp of the unit was issued for the award of the clasp. The award was recorded in the Sold book or the Wehrpass of the carrier.

Value and purchase

Due to the large number of different variants, a value can only be determined individually. However, the value of a bronze clasp can be roughly estimated at around €250, a silver clasp at €450, and a gold clasp starting at €1.000. However, special variants or exceptionally good condition clasps can sometimes fetch several times the stated price. A gold presentation clasp is usually worth well over €10.000. For collectors, and therefore naturally for us as well, large, as complete as possible estates with medals, certificates, photos, etc. are of particular value and interest. However, individual close combat clasps, certificates, cases/cardboard boxes, or photos of wearers are also sought after and are purchased by us.