U-boat Front Clasp

The U-boat Front Clasp (German: U-Boot-Frontspange) or U-boat Combat Clasp, was a World War II German Kriegsmarine military decoration awarded to holders of the U-boat War Badge to recognize continued combat service and valor.[1]

U-boat Front Clasp
U-boat Front Clasp designed by Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus
Awarded by Nazi Germany
Type	Badge
Eligibility	Military personnel
Awarded for	to holders of the U-boat War Badge to recognize continued combat service and valor
Campaign(s)	World War II
Status	Obsolete
Statistics
Established	15 May 1944[1]
Precedence
Next (lower)	U-boat War Badge

History

The award was instituted on 15 May 1944 to bring the U-boat force in line with other branches of the German armed forces, all of which had a similar award to recognize valor. There were no specified merits for earning the award; decoration was based on the recommendations of the U-boat commander and subject to approval by Karl Dönitz. Awards were often due to the number of patrols completed or demonstrations of valor in combat.[1] The clasp was worn on the upper left breast.[1]

Design

Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus of Berlin submitted the design of the badge, which consisted of a central laurel wreath with a stylized submarine and wings of oak leaves. The wings on either side consisted of six staggered oak leaves (for a total of twelve). Two crossed swords decorated the bottom of the central wreath; the submarine in the middle mimicked the design of the U-Boat War Badge. The wreath integrated an eagle with turned down wings holding a swastika.[2][3] After the war ended, sailors in Germany could only wear the medal if it did not include National Socialist emblems - in keeping with the German Ordensgesetz. An alternative design with a complete laurel wreath (without eagle and swastika) with a centered submarine emblem exist for this purpose.

Classes

The award was bestowed in two classes. The classes of the badge were manufactured in bronze, or silver.[1]

• Bronze - the lower grade and awarded based on the number of war patrols, the degree of risks involved in the mission and for personal bravery[1]
• Silver - on 24 November 1944, the silver class was introduced to further recognize bronze holders with continued merits, increased risk and acts of valor[1]

Notes

1. Angolia 1987, p. 152.
2. Angolia 1987, p. 153.
3. Ailsby 1987, p. 125.

References

• Ailsby, Christopher (1987). Combat Medals of the Third Reich. Harpercollins. ISBN 978-0850598223.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
• Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)