German Wound Badges First World War:
Germany had a wound badge also, but this was a combination of the British "Wound Stripe" and the "Silver War Badge" as it was worn on the uniform by serving soldiers and to those soldiers who had been invalided out of the service.  It was first established by Royal Decree on the 3rd March 1918 and published in the Army Gazette (Armee-Verordungsblatt) for 9 March 1918. Kaiser Wilhelm II  created the Army Wound Badge stating - "In extraordinary appreciation I wish to confer a special badge of recognition on all soldiers who have been wounded (lost blood) for the Fatherland and those who have lost their health during service against the enemy and have been invalided from service." This was the first German Military Wound Badge (Verwundetenzbzeichen). There were three grades of wound badge; black, silver and gold. On June 3rd, 1918, the Bavarian War Ministry declared that the Wound Badge was an “award” not a “decoration” and on June 24th the Kaiser introduced the Naval Wound Badge, which was to be awarded in the same grades as the Army and under the same regulations.

It was awarded in black for one to two wounds, silver for three to four wounds and gold for five wounds or more. In the case of severe wounds, the higher class was awarded. A certificate would have accompanied the award.

The black wound badge was painted steel, the early silver wound badges had a nickel finish but the later ones had either a silver or aluminium paint finish. The early gold wound badges were plated but the mid to late ones had a paint finish. There was also a 'deluxe' version of all three badges that featured a cut-out rather than a solid back.

The German Army badges shown here are genuine First World War black and silver Wound Badges  - in very good condition considering their age. The German Navy wound badges are "original quality" reproductions in that there were made using the original die. All are from my own collection of medals and war badges.

German Army Wound Badges::
 
Black Wound Badge
Original Issue		 Silver Wound Badge
Original Issue		 Gold Wound Badge

German Navy Wound Badge::
Black Wound Badge
Original Quality Reproduction		 Silver Wound Badge
Original Quality Reproduction		 Gold Wound Badge
Original Quality Reproduction
     
The original quality reproduction badges obtained from Nicholas Morigi (web site will open in a new page).