Coastal Artillery War Badge, by F. Linden
CATEGORY: Version
SKU: 01.GTR.0905.101.05.000
Estimated market value:
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Germany, Kriegsmarine. A Coastal Artillery War Badge, by Friedrich Linden
(Kriegsabzeichen für die Marine-Artillerie). Constructed of partially gilded feinzink, the obverse consisting of a gilded oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, topped by a German national eagle clutching a mobile swastika, overlaid by a central coastal artillery gun with waves in the background, the reverse with a crimped barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a round wire catch, maker marked with the logo of Friedrich Linden, Lüdenscheid, measuring 42.02 mm (w) x 55.11 mm (h), weighing 31.8 grams, some loss of finish is apparent, with evidence of catch repair, in overall better than very fine condition.
The Coastal Artillery War Badge was instituted on June 24, 1941, and was conferred upon members of Coastal Artillery units who protected the German-occupied coastline and attempted to prevent enemy surface landings and aerial attacks.
The Coastal Artillery was a branch of the Kriegsmarine whose primary mission was to detect and shoot down Allied aircraft as they approached the coastline. The Coastal Artillery was also tasked with manning fortified defense stations against amphibious invasions.
The badge was conferred upon combat units and soldiers regardless of rank, as well as upon soldiers who were wounded or killed in action. Recipients were nominated for the badge by their commanding admiral.
On January 28, 1942, it was determined that in order to receive the award, an individual had to have a good service record and history of conduct, rendered outstanding leadership in their assigned role, performed a singular act of valour, or been wounded or killed in action.
In order for a gun crew to receive a collective award, they had to accumulate a total of 8 points. One point was awarded for each enemy aircraft the crew downed; one point was awarded for downing an aircraft in conjunction with another battery; a half point was given to searchlight crews for each enemy aircraft they detected, which resulted in it being downed; two points were awarded for successful work with a radio detection unit, which resulted in an enemy aircraft being downed; two points were awarded for the successful completion of planned fire direction, which resulted in an enemy aircraft being downed.
On October 27, 1942, it was announced that the badge could be retroactively awarded to personnel of the Marine Assault Company who had participated in the ground fighting during the Polish Campaign. This only included soldiers who had actively fought in the campaign.
On September 15, 1943, Flak defense personnel and naval assistants to gun crews became eligible to receive the award.
The badge was designed by Otto Placzek in Berlin.
Badges by Linden are marked “F L L”, each letter in its own circle, with the F on top of the Ls. The second L stands for the city the company operated out of. Badges are made of zinc.
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