(Bandenkampfabzeichen)

Date Instituted

29 January 1944
Days of anti-partisan fighting ("Kampftage") were credited from 1 January 1943 on.

Requirements

Bronze
* Participation in 20 days of anti-partisan fighting, or
* Flying 30 operational sorties in anti-partisan actions.


Silver
* Participation in 50 days of anti-partisan fighting, or
* Flying 75 operational sorties in anti-partisan actions.


Gold
* Participation in 100 days of anti-partisan fighting, or
* Flying 150 operational sorties in anti-partisan actions.

Number Awarded

1.650 (Bronze), 510 (Silver), 47 (Gold) (approxiate numbers)

The BKA, dritte Stufe (Gold), was officially awarded at least 10 times to members of the 24. Waffen-Gebirgs (Karstjäger)-Division der SS on two occasions. The first award ceremony was held by Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler on 15 Feb 1945 (4 recipients); the second award ceremony was held by Generaloberst Guderian on 10 March 1945 (6 recipients).
Quite probably further badges, of all grades, were awarded to Karstjäger members as well as to other unit's members, which is not known or confirmed at this time.

Recipients

Holders of the Anti-Partisan Badge

The holders of this award are listed on the individual unit histories as part of the Holders of high awards project.

Estimated price (2009)

Gold - €3.500
Silver - €2.500
Bronze - €1.800


SS-Obersturmführer Helmut Prasch wearing the Anti-Partisan Badge in Gold
(sometimes incorrectly identified as Erich Kühbandner)

(Courtesy of Karl B)

Comments

It is stated often that a variant of gilded silver with diamonds was produced by C.E.Juncker, Berlin at the end of 1944 on order of Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler. Some sources are stating 10 pieces, according to other sources the number was 20. There is no confirmed bestowal known with this special grade. The whereabouts of these pieces - if ever existing - is unsettled.
The common thought about the diamonds variant is that it most probably has to be regarded as a fake. At least there's no proof whatsoever of it's real production.

Although the badge was awarded for anti-partisan actions, the word "Partisan" wasn't choosen to name the award and wasn't even used in the context of this kind of warfare. The reason for this is the absolute positive meaning of the word "Partisan" in the usage of Russian language. Therefore Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler in autumn 1942 ordered as a rule of language to use the word "Banden" [banditry] to name the guerilla war.

It is sometimes referred to as the Combat Badge of the Waffen SS and Police (Kampfabzeichen der Waffen SS und Polizei).

Photo courtesy of Relics of the Reich

Sources used

Christopher Ailsby - World War 2 German medals and political awards
John R. Angolia - For Führer and Fatherland: Military awards of the Third Reich
David Littlejohn - Orders, decorations, medals and badges of the Third Reich
Detlev Niemann - Price Guide Germany 1871-1945 (2009)

Reference material on this award

Rolf Michaelis - Das Bandenkampfabzeichen