BRA German medals and awards qualifications 1978~1983
War veterans could wear their original medals and awards..... this really only meant Fred Walker,
the rest of us had to follow the qualification rules laid down by WW2BRA (Sturmgruppe Adler):
Infantry Assault Badge Attend three private battles.
Ostfront Medal Attend a three day winter private event.
Long Service Ribbon Awarded to former/or serving members of the armed forces.
Anti-partisan Badge Awarded to holders of a CSM/GSM in the armed forces.
Wound Badge in Black Given to anyone who, injured at an event, who need medical treatment.
Iron Cross 2nd class Awarded only twice (both times in 1983).
Iron Cross 1st class Awarded only once (1983).
After 1985 new awards entered the list, Long Service ribbons were given out to reenactors
who had been in the hobby at least 4 years, then came the Close Combat Clasp etc.
During a platoon sized night patrol at a private event, two of us managed to slip past the American patrols and we found
ourselves by chance in the American camp. The guards had moved over to the fire for a chat and we had to get back to
our own lines. We were cut off and the other Germans had already retired back to their own camp. So I said "lets get a flag
each", which is what we did and then we ran for it! Shots and angry shouts following us!
The captured flags, I am front left. (although reenacting mostly Wehrmacht, I spent the summer 1983 with the Fallschirmjäger).
August 1983 saw the very first award of the Iron Cross 1st class. It was a total surprise when Mike Passmore and
Fred Walker called me out during a parade back in August 1983. my brother knew about it because he made an EK I
from an EK II, by welding a screw thread on the reverse side. A bit battered and scrached now, but the first one
awarded in UK reenactment, now that has to be special. Awarded for "Accumulated actions over five years".
The Christmas get together, the time to swing the lantern and bring out the laughs and mishaps of the previous year.
Cheers, Bill.
