Kampfgruppe Steiner Awards System (updated FEB 2017)
Scope/Purpose: To provide members with a system of recognition for participation/attendance, historically ‘realistic’ impressions and meritorious action on behalf of the unit. This award system seeks to enhance the experience of the unit by rewarding realistic action and paralleling the requirements and criteria for awards during WWII. Awards will be worn in line with “historical common sense” and are not intended to be overrepresented or unrealistic. Finally, as in the German Army, awards are a measure of what individual soldiers have accomplished during their experiences as well as simultaneously enhancing the collective unit impression.
Categories:
1) Earned/Participatory Awards – Awards that can be earned for participation or direct contribution in unit supported events. Members are eligible to earn these awards AFTER being voted into the unit. Generally, these awards will parallel their actual historical counterparts, if possible.
2) Historical/Impression-Based Awards – Awards in this grouping will be approved for wear on the basis of individual impression criteria that “makes sense” for the soldier to have in order to better portray the character he has developed. The intent is to provide depth to individual impressions. These awards will require approval from unit leadership and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
3) Performance/Meritorious Awards – These awards will require nominations based on superior performance, meritorious action at a particular event or exemplary service to the unit over a period of time. Any member may nominate another member for a Performance Award (some requiring unit leadership nomination), but the Unit Field Commander is responsible for confirming the nomination and bringing it to a unit vote for final approval.
Earned/Participatory Awards and Criteria:
Deutsches Reichsportabzeichen (KGS Sportabzeichen) –
(1). The KG Steiner Sports Badge will be awarded based upon the results of a 4 part test in the spirit of the Reichsportabzeichen that combines both aspects of sport and common physical tasks required during extended tactical reenactment. It is intended to encourage physical fitness in the unit, and while not required for membership, all members should strive to earn their sports badge in order to achieve the proper presence required to better portray a German soldier of WWII.
(2). See the applicable Kampfgruppe Steiner unit regulations for this award.
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen (Silber/Bronze)(Infantry Assault Badge)–
(1). Historically awarded to "recognize combat action as an infantryman on December 20, 1939. Awarded by the Army commander-in-chief upon the recommendation of the infantry company commander… [Silver*] Will be awarded to officers, NCO’s, and enlisted men of rifle companies not in Motorized Infantry Divisions…who from January 1, 1940 completed the following:”
(1a). “Combat in three assaults,”
(1b). “in the front lines,”
(1c). “armed with hand weapons during assault,”
(1d). “on three different combat days.”
“The badge is awarded for counter- assaults, assaults of particular importance, patrols and patrolling activities resulting in combat and hand-to-hand combat. Criteria also include the soldier or individual personally and single-handedly destroying an enemy tank.”
(2). Awarded after soldier has met all uniform and equipment requirements, earned the rank of Grenadier, and participated with the unit in three (3) combat reenactments (events with an “enemy” force present) following being voted into the unit as a full member.
* The Bronze version will be awarded interchangeably/concurrently and shall be deemed appropriate for portrayal of Motorized Infantry/Panzergrenadier Divisions depending on event and unit impression.
Allgemeine-Sturmabzeichen (General Assault Badge)–
(1). General von Brauchitsch instituted the General Assault Badge on January 1st, 1940. The badge was to be awarded to those German soldiers who participated in infantry attacks but were not part of infantry units and therefore did not qualify for the Infantry Assault Badge in either Silver or Bronze.
(2). The General Assault Badge shall be awarded under the same criteria as the Infantry Assault Badge, however only members who portray non-Infantry personnel (artillery, pioneers, anti-tank, medical, etc.) are eligible to wear this award under the same conditions as the Infantry Assault Badge.
Panzerkampfabzeichen (Bronze) (Panzer Assault Badge)–
(1). The Wehrmacht Tank Battle badge was introduced on December 20, 1939, in order to recognize the achievements of Panzer personnel who took part in armored assaults.It was instituted by order of General von Brauchitsh. On June 6th, 1940, a separate class of the badge, in Bronze, was added in order to recognize the crews of armored vehicles other than tanks (half tracks, assault guns, etc). The award criteria were as follows:
(1a). “To have taken part in three armored assaults in three different days,”
(1b). “To have been wounded in the course of an assault,”
(1c). “To have earned a bravery decoration in the course of an assault.”
(1d). The Silver class was presented to tank commanders, gunners or radio operators while the Bronze class was presented to the Panzer-Grenadier regiments, tank assault crew, armored recon units, and medical personnel who went into battle in armored vehicles. The award was authorized through the Panzer Division commander.
(2). The Bronze Panzer Assault Badge shall be awarded to soldiers in the role of Panzer Grenadier, who participate in three (3) combat reenactments in cooperation with armored vehicles. It shall also be awarded to soldiers who participate in three (3) combat reenactments as an armored vehicle crewman.
Nahkampfspange (Bronze/Silber) (Close Combat Clasp) –
(1). Historically awarded starting November 25, 1942, by Hitler, in recognition of the courage of the German soldier in hand-to-hand combat. The Close Combat Bade was awarded for hand-to-hand combat; completely independent from the Infantry Assault and requiring different criteria. The Close Combat Badge was awarded in three grades (Bronze, Silver and Gold) based on the number of combat days a soldier fought. Criteria for close combat days were as follows:
(1a). “All combat days on which the soldier had the opportunity to be close enough to ‘see the white of the enemy’s eyes,’ use close combat weapons, to assault the enemy man-to-man and be victorious.”
(1b.) “Also counted are days during which the soldier was a part of a major attack or assault, reconnaissance attack, defending a forward position, or a single messenger run, as well as an enemy reconnaissance attack.
(1c.) “The area- at a combat outpost in the front area, on the main battle line, at an artillery firing position, in the rear army areas (i.e. attack by partisan groups), or an enemy attack on a hospital train or supply column, all are criteria for consideration.
(1d). The initial combat days were established taking into account the uninterrupted time of engagement on the Eastern Front or Africa since June 22 of 1941:
15 months = 15 combat days
12 months = 10 combat days
8 months = 5 combat days
(1e). When the recipient was awarded the Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, he also automatically was awarded the Iron Cross II Class, if it had not been awarded previously.**
(2). The Close Combat Clasp in Bronze shall be awarded for participation in fifteen (15) independent combat reenactments, or upon earning 30 tactical credits. The Silver Clasp shall be awarded for thirty (30) independent combat events, or upon earning 60 tactical credits. Due to the historically small numbers of Gold claps awarded (<1000), this grade is not available for award/wear as part of KGS. **In order to represent this practice of simultaneous award of the Iron Cross with the Close Combat Clasp in Bronze, the soldier (if not already possessing this award) will be automatically nominated for the Iron Cross II Class to be confirmed by a majority unit vote.
Armelband ‘Afrika’ (‘Afrika’ Cufftitle)-
(1). The AFRIKA cufftitle was instituted on 15 January 1943 per Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen No. 60, dated 27 January 1943. To be eligible, a member had to have served in North Africa for at least six months. However, if the individual was wounded in action, the six-month time requirement need not apply. Although instituted 15 January 1943, it is unlikely that more than a handful of awards were issued in North Africa before the general surrender on 6 May 1943 and the final capitulation on 13 May. However, in the eighteen months that followed the end of the North African campaign, the approximately 100,000 men who had served in the theater and were located in Europe at the time of the surrender were tracked down by the OKW and, those eligible, received the award. These men were, for the most part, wounded or ill veterans who had by this time been transferred to other units in other theaters.
(2). The ‘Afrika’ cufftitle shall be awarded to soldiers who participate in three (3) North Africa themed-events or earn a total of six (6) tactical/battle credits portraying elements of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) from 1941-1943.
Italo-German Afrika Campaign Medal –
(1). This campaign medal was instituted by the Italian Government to reward the achievements of Rommel’s Afrikakorps. The medal was awarded only to German troops and the first presentations took place in 1942. The award was presented to members of the DAK for participation in the Africa campaign. Since Italy was an Axis Ally, German soldiers were allowed to wear the award, but there were no regulations specifying a particular method. Following Italy’s withdrawal from the war and subsequent surrender, the wear of all Italian awards was prohibited in orders distributed dated March 29th, 1944. Specific mention is made of the Italo-German Campaign Medal.
(2). The Italo-German Campaign Medal shall be awarded to soldiers who participate in three (3) events portraying elements of the Deutsches Afrikakorps (DAK) from 1941-1943. *Note, this award shall not be worn in events taking place after 29 March, 1944.
‘Ostmedaille’ (Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42) –
(1). Historically awarded to “honor the heroic campaigns against the Bolshevik enemy during the winter of 1941/42.” Commonly Known as "Ostmedaille" (East Medal) or "Russian Front Medal" this award was introduced on the 26th of May 1942 to recognize those who participated in the first winter of Operation Barbarossa between November 15, 1941 and April 26, 1942. The award criteria for the Eastern Winter Campaign Medal are:
(1a). “A minimum of 14 days participation in combat.”
(1b). “Receiving wounds or frostbite which qualified for the Wound Badge.”
(1c). “60 days uninterrupted service in the combat zone.”
(2). The ‘Ostmedaille’ shall be awarded to soldiers who while portraying appropriate Heer units, earn seven (7) battle credits from attending Eastern Front events that take place from November 1941, to April 1942. Soldiers who attended the 2009 “Drive on Stalingrad” are also qualified/eligible to wear this medal. *Note: This award may also qualify for the Historical/Impression-Based Award guidance on an individual basis and is subject to leadership approval for wear.
Campaign Shields: Krim, Demjansk, Kuban–
(1). Historically awarded in recognition for service during the particular campaign.
(1a). The Krim Shield was instituted on July 7th, 1942, and was to commemorate the German advance into the Crimea led by General von Manstein.
(1b). The Demjansk Shield was instituted on April 25th, 1943, to commemorate those troops who fought in the Demjansk pocket during 1942.
(1c). The Kuban Shield was instituted on the 21st of September 1943, to honor those who were fighting to preserve the bridgeheads in the Kuban region.
(2). These will be the only campaign shields awarded to members of Kampfgruppe Steiner who attend and participate in the corresponding specifically-themed Eastern Front Event. Notification for qualifying events will be provided by unit leadership prior to the event.
*Note, as currently, the Kampfgruppe Steiner does not portray units that historically participated in these campaigns; eligibility for wear of the earned campaign shield will be on an individual basis, subject to both unit leadership approval and unit majority vote confirmation.
116.Pz.Div ‘Windhund’ Cap Badge -
(1). The ‘Windhund’ Cap badge was created by the 116th Panzer Division as a distinctive unit identifier and was worn on the left side of field caps.
(2). The ‘Windhund’ Cap badge shall be awarded to soldiers who participate in three (3) Late War Western Front themed-events or earn a total of five (5) unit credits portraying elements of the 116th Panzer Division from 1944-1945.
Tank Destruction Badge –
(1). The Tank Destruction Badge was instituted by Hitler on March 9, 1942 to honor individuals who single handedly destroyed an enemy tank with hand held explosives. This award was made retroactive to the beginning of the invasion of the Soviet Union (June 22, 1941). The badge was historically awarded for "single handed destruction of an enemy tank or armored vehicle with only hand held weapons (hand grenade, panzerfaust, satchel charge etc.). For every destroyed tank a special badge will be awarded.”
(2). The Tank Destruction Badge shall be awarded to soldiers who single-handedly destroy an enemy armored vehicle with a hand-held weapon (hand grenade, panzerfaust/panzershrek, satchel charge etc.), at close range and survive the action. This must be witnessed by at least two other members/participants who can confirm the kill to unit leadership.
Schützenschnur –
(1). The Wehrmacht Schützenschnur was introduced at first on 29th June 1936 by the Oberkommando der Heeres (OKH) and was made in four grades (Stufe 1-4). Enlisted Infantrymen (incl. Mountain, Motorized, Paratroops etc.) and Artillerymen were eligible for earning this award based on marksmanship proficiency/qualification with rifle or light machinegun. On 17th October 1938 a second version was introduced, containing 12 grades. Enlisted Infantrymen, Artillerymen, and Armored Soldiers were eligible for this version of the award.
(2). In order to earn this award as a part of Kampfgruppe Steiner, a soldier must qualify in LIVE FIRE conditions with three (3) infantry weapons: The K98 Mauser Rifle, MG34/42 light machine gun and both the Model 39 Eihandgranate and the Model 24/43 Stielhandgranate hand grenades. Qualification for this award may be completed only during sanctioned unit events.
Long Service Medal/Ribbon (4 and 8 Years) –
(1). Reinstated after the reinstitution of conscription in Germany on 16th March 1936, all members of the Wehrmacht were eligible for this award that rewarded time of service.