Germany - Third Reich: Driver Proficiency Badge in Silver, pressed zinc manufacture, with three of the four prongs on the reverse remaining, lacking cloth backing.
Condition: Very Fine.
This badge has its roots in the drastic developments that motorized warfare underwent in the years prior to Second World War, and the fact that highly mobile forces became of vital strategic importance in the success of the Wehrmacht (and all armies involved in the war). The badge was created to recognize both civilian and military drivers who distinguished themselves during combat and who took exceptional care in maintaining their vehicles under the most harsh of conditions. The Kraftfahrbewährungsabzeichen was instituted in three grades (Bronze, Silver, Gold) on the 23rd of October 1942 and was made retroactive to 1st December 1940. The design of the badge was created by a Waffen-SS enlisted man, and it is rather unusual for a Third Reich decoration in that there is no Swastika to be found on the badge. The design of the badge is simple and consists only of a steering wheel surrounded by laurel leaves. It was presented affixed to a piece of cloth, round or even diamond shaped, in the basic color of the uniform (black, green, blue, etc). The badge is always hollow stamped and is manufactured in either iron or zinc (late war pieces are made from zinc). After it was stamped, the correct finish was applied. The badge was worn in the middle of the lower left arm sleeve of the uniform. Whenever there was a so called drivers distinction (Armeltätigkeitsabzeichen) it had to be worn 2 cm above this distinction.
