Lot 155

Anonymous

An extremely rare combat badge of the Small Combat Units, 3rd level for attack diver of the German Kriegsmarine

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This is one of the rarest awards that attack divers in the German Kriegsmarine could receive. These special forces were usually equipped with a Panerei attack diver's watch. This badge is one of the very few originals still in existence and is the perfect addition for ambitious collectors of vintage Panerai navy diver’s watches.
Provenance: Max Aurich Order Collection.

The Probationary and Combat Badges of the Small Combat Units were endowed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Kriegsmarine Karl Dönitz on 30 November 1944. The combat badges were awarded to soldiers of the Kriegsmarine's small combat units who had volunteered as individual combatants and achieved particularly outstanding performance. Seven levels could be awarded.
The 1st level was awarded to soldiers of the small combat units who had proved themselves in action or in the preparation of action and in special attempts at new techniques.
The award of the 2nd level was made after the first proven participation in a lone combatant or commando operation at sea or on land and the award of the 3rd level was made after the second proven participation.