The SS Proficiency Badge
The Germanic Proficiency Badge (Germanische Leistungsrune)
This badge was founded on 15 August, 1943, by Reichsfiihrer-SS Himmler. It was instituted in two classes; bronze and silver, and consisted of two victory runes superimposed on a convex mobile swastika (46mm in diameter). The badge is of copper-plated zinc with an olive-bronze or silver wash.The runes are die-struck tombac with black enamelling and silver-plated edges.
Close examination of period photos and original badges would indicate that there were at least two slight variations of the badge. Type A (illustrations from original press photos) has the sun wheel arms flat or with a very slight curve and the pins are cut short. It should be noted that the holes for the pins are a perfect size and fit. The short round pins extend only a few millimeters from the holes and are slightly flattened from the bend, as if from a jeweler's hammer. The reverse is perfectly smooth whereas reproductions tend to have a more unfinished look. It is totally unmarked. Type B is thinner than Type A, the sun wheel arms are more concave, the pins are longer and the illustrated example has a bubbled appearance on the reverse. It is also unmarked.
After Himmler had decided on the institution of this award, he gave Gottlob Berber and his SS-Hauptamt the task of establishing the badge's attainment rules and regulations. In a parallel development with ultranationalistic movements in Germany and Italy, most European countries in the 1930s possessed their own right wing political groups based to one degree or another on the German National Socialist movement. After many of these "Nordic" countries were occupied by the Germans after 1940, various groups in Germany, most especially the SS, sought to exploit these splinter movements. Active collaboration with the occupying authority was encouraged and imitation of German forms was also strongly suggested.
After a long struggle, Himmler's SS gained control over these groups in 1943, raising or taking over token military units under German Army control. These "Legions" were, with a few exceptions, taken into the Waffen-SS.
The Germanic Proficiency Runic Badge was intended to emphasize the Germanic character of the satellite nations as well as to symbolize their connection with the SS.
In an 11 February 1944 issue of the Dutch "Stonn-SS - Weekblad der Germanische SS in Nederland," This decoration was to be "an incentive for physical conditioning and military education in the spirit of National Socialist world outlook and a confirmation of voluntary acknowledgment of the Germanic communal destiny."
The award was to be made by the Chief of the SS-Hauptamt after consultation with Reichsfiihrer-SS Himmler. Those who wished to compete for the Germanic Proficiency Runes Badge, and were not members of the Germanic SS or aspirants in the organization, had to hold a political leaders card issued by a Germanic SS service center. Testing for the badge required three weeks of preparation before applicants could take part in the course which had been layed out. An alternative was to complete 120 hours of training which could not extend more than six consecutive months. The test was to be supervised by a qualified representative of the SS-Hauptamt, and the instruction center had to be assisted by two members of the Germanic SS service center.
The following criteria were required:
1. Single or individual athletic proficiency tests.
2. Team or group athletic proficiency tests.
3. Individual political aptitude tests.
Under the first category, the requirements were:
In bronze
1. Run 400 meters in 72.5 seconds.
2. Broadjump four meters.
3. Swim 300 meters in twelve minutes.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in a selected sport such as skiing, with an acceptable good rating.
Note: To pass the above unspecified sport test the applicant had to fulfill the requirements for award of the National Sports Badge (Reichssportabzeichen), or hold a certificate for solo flying, or riding, motor sports, winter sports, etc.
In silver
1. Run 400 meters in 68 seconds.
2. Broadjump 4.75 meters.
3. Swim 300 meters in nine minutes
4. Demonstrate proficiency in a selected sport such a skiing, with a superior rating.
Individual military proficiency: (Not required for military personnel with a minimum of six months active service.)
In bronze
1. Rifle fire, prone position, target at 50 meters. 40 points, Note: Two test shots were permitted with a time limit of ten minutes.
2. Military tactics test covering such topics as field camouflage, map reading, forward observation, etc., with an acceptable good rating. Note: The above two tests would be performed at a respective SS school.
In silver
1. Rifle fire, prone position, target at 50 meters, 60 points, 2. Military tactics test covering such topics as field camouflage, map reading, forward observation, etc. with a superior rating.
Under the second category, the requirements were:
In bronze
1. Complete a 100 meter relay race in seventeen seconds.
2. Complete a rope climb in twelve seconds, 3. Complete a 110 meter assault course run with a hand grenade throw in 60 seconds.
4. Complete a 2000 meter cross-country run in ten minutes.
5. Complete a 30 kilometer march in full march order in 9 1/2 hours.
In silver
1. Complete a 100 meter relay race in 14.5 seconds.
2. Complete a rope climb in nine seconds.
3. Complete a 110 meter assault course run with a hand grenade throw in 50 seconds,
4. Complete a 2000 meter cross-country run in eight minutes, 5. Complete a 30 kilometer march in full march order in 9 1/2 hours.
Under the third category, the requirements were:
In bronze
1. Complete a written and oral examination on National-Socialist theory with an acceptable good rating.
In silver 1. Complete a written and oral examination on National-Socialist theory with a superior rating.
Note: The time limit for the written examination was two hours. At the Dutch SS School at Avegoor the choice of subjects was: 1. "Our Enemies," 2. "Being a Germanic and becoming one," 3. "People and Fatherland." The oral examination consisted of the same subjects as for the written one.
Participation in the competitions for this award was not limited to German nationals or members of the SS but all participants had to be approved by the issuing authority.
The first awards were made by Himmler on I February, 1944 when he visited the Dutch SS School at Avegoor, near Arnheim. Also in attendance were the Higher SS and Police Leader in Holland, SS-Obergruppenfiihrer Rauter, Reichskommissar Seyss-lnquart, leader of the N.S.B. Mussert, and Chief of the SS-Hauptamt, SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Waffen-SS Berger. Himmler gave a speech praising the achievements of the Dutch SS (and the "Westland" Regiment in particular) and then presented the badges personally. He also took this opportunity to announce the expansion of the Dutch Volunteer Legion to a grenadier brigade (SS Grenadier-Brigade "Nederland").
Subsequent awards were made in Denmark on June 2, 1944 by SS-Obergruppenfiihrer Berger, and in Norway on August 16, 1944 by the Higher SS and Police Leader in Norway, SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Rediess. It has been reported that exams were held in the Beneshau/Prague area of Czechoslovakia, but it is not known if official award ceremonies were held.
The decoration was worn on the left breast.
These badges were reportedly only made by the firm of Kremnitz in the Protectorate, and this raises the question of the two variations for which no answer is available at this time. These badges had no markings of any kind on the reverse, and had a semi-broad standard pin.
The enameled runes were fastened to the badge with two pins per rune, flattened over on the reverse.
An exam record book was given to applicants which contained the certificate for the founding of the award, the regulations for the award, regulations on all categories including all sports which the candidate had to fulfill, and the application for the three-week course for the Germanische Leistungsrune. Pages 14-22 listed the grades earned on the various exams and sports. Page 23 was the application form for the Germanische Leistungsrune in Bronze, and page 25 was the final document for earning/possessing the award. Page 26 contains additional regulations which explained that the award could be recinded if the recipient was required to re-do the tests in the future, and then failed them. This is also mentioned in the last part of the "Bestimmungen" on page 8.
Postwar copies of this piece bear various spurious markings including "RZM" and "MOll." This latter number, alleged to represent an official contractor's number, did not exist. Postwar reproductions have the runes affixed with epoxy cement, a compound unknown during the Third Reich, or have the runes soldered or rivetted to the badge. Both are certain signs of a reproduction.
The publisher welcomes additional input on this elusive badge and hopes to produce a second part to this article based on this new information. Special thanks go to Steve Till, Fernando de Soeten, Otto Spronk, Alex Yordt and Yuri Desyatnik for their valued guidance and assistance.
Sources:
Deutsche Uniformen-Zeitschrift, August 1944, p. 4. "Die Germanische Leistungsrune fur die SS"
Gregory Douglas: "The Germanic Proficiency Badge (Germanische Leistungsrune)", "The Military Advisor", Volume 12, Number 2" R.James Bender Publishing, 2001
This badge was founded on 15 August, 1943, by Reichsfiihrer-SS Himmler. It was instituted in two classes; bronze and silver, and consisted of two victory runes superimposed on a convex mobile swastika (46mm in diameter). The badge is of copper-plated zinc with an olive-bronze or silver wash.The runes are die-struck tombac with black enamelling and silver-plated edges.
Close examination of period photos and original badges would indicate that there were at least two slight variations of the badge. Type A (illustrations from original press photos) has the sun wheel arms flat or with a very slight curve and the pins are cut short. It should be noted that the holes for the pins are a perfect size and fit. The short round pins extend only a few millimeters from the holes and are slightly flattened from the bend, as if from a jeweler's hammer. The reverse is perfectly smooth whereas reproductions tend to have a more unfinished look. It is totally unmarked. Type B is thinner than Type A, the sun wheel arms are more concave, the pins are longer and the illustrated example has a bubbled appearance on the reverse. It is also unmarked.
After Himmler had decided on the institution of this award, he gave Gottlob Berber and his SS-Hauptamt the task of establishing the badge's attainment rules and regulations. In a parallel development with ultranationalistic movements in Germany and Italy, most European countries in the 1930s possessed their own right wing political groups based to one degree or another on the German National Socialist movement. After many of these "Nordic" countries were occupied by the Germans after 1940, various groups in Germany, most especially the SS, sought to exploit these splinter movements. Active collaboration with the occupying authority was encouraged and imitation of German forms was also strongly suggested.
After a long struggle, Himmler's SS gained control over these groups in 1943, raising or taking over token military units under German Army control. These "Legions" were, with a few exceptions, taken into the Waffen-SS.
The Germanic Proficiency Runic Badge was intended to emphasize the Germanic character of the satellite nations as well as to symbolize their connection with the SS.
In an 11 February 1944 issue of the Dutch "Stonn-SS - Weekblad der Germanische SS in Nederland," This decoration was to be "an incentive for physical conditioning and military education in the spirit of National Socialist world outlook and a confirmation of voluntary acknowledgment of the Germanic communal destiny."
The award was to be made by the Chief of the SS-Hauptamt after consultation with Reichsfiihrer-SS Himmler. Those who wished to compete for the Germanic Proficiency Runes Badge, and were not members of the Germanic SS or aspirants in the organization, had to hold a political leaders card issued by a Germanic SS service center. Testing for the badge required three weeks of preparation before applicants could take part in the course which had been layed out. An alternative was to complete 120 hours of training which could not extend more than six consecutive months. The test was to be supervised by a qualified representative of the SS-Hauptamt, and the instruction center had to be assisted by two members of the Germanic SS service center.
The following criteria were required:
1. Single or individual athletic proficiency tests.
2. Team or group athletic proficiency tests.
3. Individual political aptitude tests.
Under the first category, the requirements were:
In bronze
1. Run 400 meters in 72.5 seconds.
2. Broadjump four meters.
3. Swim 300 meters in twelve minutes.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in a selected sport such as skiing, with an acceptable good rating.
Note: To pass the above unspecified sport test the applicant had to fulfill the requirements for award of the National Sports Badge (Reichssportabzeichen), or hold a certificate for solo flying, or riding, motor sports, winter sports, etc.
In silver
1. Run 400 meters in 68 seconds.
2. Broadjump 4.75 meters.
3. Swim 300 meters in nine minutes
4. Demonstrate proficiency in a selected sport such a skiing, with a superior rating.
Individual military proficiency: (Not required for military personnel with a minimum of six months active service.)
In bronze
1. Rifle fire, prone position, target at 50 meters. 40 points, Note: Two test shots were permitted with a time limit of ten minutes.
2. Military tactics test covering such topics as field camouflage, map reading, forward observation, etc., with an acceptable good rating. Note: The above two tests would be performed at a respective SS school.
In silver
1. Rifle fire, prone position, target at 50 meters, 60 points, 2. Military tactics test covering such topics as field camouflage, map reading, forward observation, etc. with a superior rating.
Under the second category, the requirements were:
In bronze
1. Complete a 100 meter relay race in seventeen seconds.
2. Complete a rope climb in twelve seconds, 3. Complete a 110 meter assault course run with a hand grenade throw in 60 seconds.
4. Complete a 2000 meter cross-country run in ten minutes.
5. Complete a 30 kilometer march in full march order in 9 1/2 hours.
In silver
1. Complete a 100 meter relay race in 14.5 seconds.
2. Complete a rope climb in nine seconds.
3. Complete a 110 meter assault course run with a hand grenade throw in 50 seconds,
4. Complete a 2000 meter cross-country run in eight minutes, 5. Complete a 30 kilometer march in full march order in 9 1/2 hours.
Under the third category, the requirements were:
In bronze
1. Complete a written and oral examination on National-Socialist theory with an acceptable good rating.
In silver 1. Complete a written and oral examination on National-Socialist theory with a superior rating.
Note: The time limit for the written examination was two hours. At the Dutch SS School at Avegoor the choice of subjects was: 1. "Our Enemies," 2. "Being a Germanic and becoming one," 3. "People and Fatherland." The oral examination consisted of the same subjects as for the written one.
Participation in the competitions for this award was not limited to German nationals or members of the SS but all participants had to be approved by the issuing authority.
The first awards were made by Himmler on I February, 1944 when he visited the Dutch SS School at Avegoor, near Arnheim. Also in attendance were the Higher SS and Police Leader in Holland, SS-Obergruppenfiihrer Rauter, Reichskommissar Seyss-lnquart, leader of the N.S.B. Mussert, and Chief of the SS-Hauptamt, SS-Obergruppenfhrer und General der Waffen-SS Berger. Himmler gave a speech praising the achievements of the Dutch SS (and the "Westland" Regiment in particular) and then presented the badges personally. He also took this opportunity to announce the expansion of the Dutch Volunteer Legion to a grenadier brigade (SS Grenadier-Brigade "Nederland").
Subsequent awards were made in Denmark on June 2, 1944 by SS-Obergruppenfiihrer Berger, and in Norway on August 16, 1944 by the Higher SS and Police Leader in Norway, SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Rediess. It has been reported that exams were held in the Beneshau/Prague area of Czechoslovakia, but it is not known if official award ceremonies were held.
The decoration was worn on the left breast.
These badges were reportedly only made by the firm of Kremnitz in the Protectorate, and this raises the question of the two variations for which no answer is available at this time. These badges had no markings of any kind on the reverse, and had a semi-broad standard pin.
The enameled runes were fastened to the badge with two pins per rune, flattened over on the reverse.
An exam record book was given to applicants which contained the certificate for the founding of the award, the regulations for the award, regulations on all categories including all sports which the candidate had to fulfill, and the application for the three-week course for the Germanische Leistungsrune. Pages 14-22 listed the grades earned on the various exams and sports. Page 23 was the application form for the Germanische Leistungsrune in Bronze, and page 25 was the final document for earning/possessing the award. Page 26 contains additional regulations which explained that the award could be recinded if the recipient was required to re-do the tests in the future, and then failed them. This is also mentioned in the last part of the "Bestimmungen" on page 8.
Postwar copies of this piece bear various spurious markings including "RZM" and "MOll." This latter number, alleged to represent an official contractor's number, did not exist. Postwar reproductions have the runes affixed with epoxy cement, a compound unknown during the Third Reich, or have the runes soldered or rivetted to the badge. Both are certain signs of a reproduction.
The publisher welcomes additional input on this elusive badge and hopes to produce a second part to this article based on this new information. Special thanks go to Steve Till, Fernando de Soeten, Otto Spronk, Alex Yordt and Yuri Desyatnik for their valued guidance and assistance.
Sources:
Deutsche Uniformen-Zeitschrift, August 1944, p. 4. "Die Germanische Leistungsrune fur die SS"
Gregory Douglas: "The Germanic Proficiency Badge (Germanische Leistungsrune)", "The Military Advisor", Volume 12, Number 2" R.James Bender Publishing, 2001
Bender-Publishing.com
(A tip from germanmilitariacollectibles.com. I would say that 99% of these I have seen are fakes. Be careful!)
(A tip from germanmilitariacollectibles.com. I would say that 99% of these I have seen are fakes. Be careful!)
posted by GMC at
10:41 PM
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