Balloon Observer's Badge

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Balloon Observer's Badge
Ballonbeobachterabzeichen
Ballon Observers Badge.png
Balloon Observer's Badge in Gold
Awarded by Nazi Germany
Type Badge
Eligibility Military personnel
Awarded for service as a balloon observer
Campaign World War II
Status Obsolete
Statistics
Established 8 July 1944

The Balloon Observer's Badge (German: Ballonbeobachterabzeichen) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to German Army personnel who risked their lives, flying 300 ft (91 m)-500 ft (152 m) above the ground in a gondola below a gas balloon.[1] They were easy targets for Allied pilots and ground fire. Due to its late introduction, only a very small number were awarded.[2]

Design

The die-struck badge features a laurel wreath of oak leaves and acorns surmounted by the national eagle grasping a swastika. Below this is a representation of an observation balloon.[1]

Grades

The Balloon Observer's Badge had three grades based on a point system.[3]

  • Bronze - 20 Points[3]
  • Silver - 45 Points[3]
  • Gold - 75 Points[3]

Points were awarded for particular conditions, such as the difficulty and success of a mission. There is no record of the gold version ever being awarded. Recommendation for the award was rendered by a commanding officer of either the observer unit, artillery unit or army unit.[3]

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Angolia 1987, p. 104.
  2. Angolia 1987, pp. 104, 105.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Angolia 1987, p. 105.

References

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