Germany - Third Reich: U-Boat Badge, scarce horizontal pin type, with raised 'F.O' maker mark for Friedrich Orth, and dating this badge to production between 1941 and mid 1944. The horizontal pin fitting is only ever usually found on U-Boat Badges produced by Orth.
Condition: the majority of the gilt wash still remaining, Good Very Fine.
This badge was instituted on 13th October 1939. There were several ways to be awarded the badge. The most common would be the completion of two war patrols. Although the completion of two war patrols might seem a lowly requirement, but a typical U-boat war cruise would often run into months at a time. As a contrast, the Infantry Assault Badge was awarded after three combat actions, which meant that they could be earned on three separate actions all under a week. Completing two war patrols was not only longer, but it was equally dangerous as the U-boat has to endure constant attacks by Allied aircraft and warships. During the later part of the war, U-boat losses were so great that many crewmen never made it past the second war patrol. The other occasion when this badge was awarded was on completion of an especially successful first patrol or having been wounded or killed in action. In the event of death, the award was presented to the next of kin.
