How did you "earn" your wound badge?

[Oberleutnant Ulrich]

At certain events I've been seeing a lot of wound badges and I'm wondering why they are so popular now? Is it because the black one is probably the cheapest original medal you can buy? Or did you earn it? The stories for those who have earned is what really interests me as the hobby can also be dangerous as well. Despite the slow moving tanks...accidents can happen, any of you guys worried about ending up as track grease?

On a slightly different note; I see so many wound badges worn on frontline impressions but not the infantry assault badge...it is known that if wounded in battle or awarded another award (EK2) you automatically qualify for the Infantry assault badge. So what's up with this? I know there are plenty ofperiod pictures with just a wound badge worn...but still.

So, as for me, I wear a black wound badge, got it in Canada, reenactment accident. Explosive went off behind me (you know those timed ones or fused ones that try to make a fake battle look more realistic) and messed up ma back a bit, I got the scars on my back to prove it. Some idiot thought his homemade bomb in a metal case should go right behind our trench to give us a real explosion feeling...well it was a bit too close.

[grenadier Biermann]

I broke my two ribs during the eastern front battle 2 years ago so I fully deserve it lost my two months pay etc.etc.And imagine this! Is still unauthorized see what bunch of wankers sometimes we are means group leaders But all strictly non politics

[Oberleutnant Ulrich]

How did you break them??? What grade badge do you wear?

[grenadier Biermann]

over the gas mask

[Oberleutnant Ulrich]

I had the opposite, slipped on wet grass (my hob nails were down to nothing) on a hill, landed on the gas mask and put a huge indent in it, couldn't get the mask out afterwards and it was one hell of a job to push it back.

[GFM manstein]

the impressions I do had wound badges so wear them for that reason, but also got awarded silver in my old group as I have a terminal illness and take loads of pills every day to keep myself here.

[grenadier Biermann]

yes that's what happen to me I was shocked gasping for breath and trying rise my hand towards our medic he wasn't far from me but he was really busy with the other men's just pretending they injuries Which I think is very important to watch situation on the battlefield

[Bill Medland]

I was awarded the Wound Badge in Black, 33 years ago, the first in the UK.

An American fired his rifle about 12 inches from my arm, I had blood dripping down my sleeve.

B.R.A. Newsletter from June 1980........

1980-6.jpg (22.48 KiB) Viewed 7358 times

[Oberleutnant Ulrich]

Biermann, so anyone watching got the real show. Not trying to make fun of your injury, but you must admit, from the spectator's point of view, must have looked good with the expression of real pain on your face. But man, it hurts!

Bill, so was the muzzle right next to your arm? Was a blank used?

[Brigardefuhrer]

SBG award wound badge for injuries,I got mine in a private battle,the half track lurched suddenly and the armoured door slammed shut on my hand.As luck would have it I was wearing thick leather gloves,so only got bruised knuckles.Although I was given it I don't wear it,as I don't think I was hurt enough to warrent it.I do wear an Imperial silver WB on my Heer generals uniform as part of the impression and also for the last 18 years I have suffered with ulcerative colitus and at my age now I'm only fit for the 'ears and stomach'battallion anyway John

[grenadier Biermann]

Biermann, so anyone watching got the real show. Not trying to make fun of your injury, but you must admit, from the spectator's point of view, must have looked good with the expression of real pain on your face. But man, it hurts!

Bill, so was the muzzle right next to your arm? Was a blank used?

Yes of course it hurts, crucial pain I was laying on my belly and imagine that feeling something is floating inside your body is like an Alien and moving up and down Terrible I also join SBG Asked them for permission to wear my wound badge and I've been told typical NO!

[Bill Medland]

Bill, so was the muzzle right next to your arm? Was a blank used?

Yes, that was the "good old days" long before health and safety.

Once I recieved burns due to a Molotov Cocktail setting fire to my greatcoat at Tavistock!..... those days haha.

[Oberleutnant Ulrich]

I had my great coat burn up on the sleeve while holding up a gas lamp..the hot air was just too much for it. (Yep, burnt a hole throught the cuff, but no flame)

[Goethe]

I wear the wound badge in black, and the IAB.

Earned the wound badge while trying to land my first tank destruction kill. Took a good 30 minutes flanking a Stuart tank, leading my gruppe.. saw and opening and had all my guys move in low and fast to get up right close to it; concealed in brush. I popped up right next to his position just as the gunner saw us closing in - hastily fired our panzerfaust (operates off a spring loaded firing pin, percussion cap, and black powder charge) and the cocking lever slammed forward to hit the percussion cap and took my thumb right along the metal groove with it..

Tore my thumb wide open, nearly took off the entire left chunk of it, and left me bleeding all over. Had some lackluster 'first aid' applied by a less than great medic, tied it up tight, and fought the rest of the battle - Finally got to an ER after battling all day, packing up and making the long drive home - got it stitched up and a tetnis shot to go with it. The nurses where extremely curious why I waited for so many hours to go to an ER, and did not clean the wound properly.. (war is hell)

Worst part about it is I overshot the tank by about 3 feet - the gunner had to duck to avoid getting hit.

[Oberleutnant Ulrich]

Quite a story! Wait...you mean the gunner could have actually been hit with a flying projectile?....things like that only happen on the other side of the lake...