Germany - Third Reich: High Seas Fleet Badge, late war zinc metal badge, needle pin back, bearing makers mark ‘FO’ for Friedrich Orth of Wien (Vienna), and of curved scalloped form. The ‘F’ of the makers mark double stamped.
Condition: lacking gilding, overall Good Very Fine.
To be eligible to receive the badge one must have 12 weeks service on a battleship or cruiser, with proof of distinction and good conduct. It was awarded for service to the crews of the Kreigsmarine High Seas Fleet, mainly of the battleships and the cruisers, but also those ships that supported them operationally for which there was no other award given. Although the award was instituted in April 1941, it could be awarded for actions that took place prior to this date and could highlight the struggle against the British Fleet.