commonly shortened to “Minesweeper Badge” for convenience, was introduced in 1940 by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder with the above announcement, translated as follows:

    “The hard and perilous service of the minesweeping, submarine chasing and security units, who with their small vessels in combat against U-boat, mine and airplane dangers are constantly at the mercy of the elements, requires of every man on board full commitment and high nervous tension.  The service is particularly austere and unnerving, as in most cases the deployment of the individual does not allow him to distinguish himself before his comrades in direct combat against the enemy.

    In recognition of the responsible and successful activities of these forces, I order the introduction of a war badge for the minesweeping, U-boat chasing and security units.

    Berlin, the 31st of August 1940.

                                                                     The supreme commander of the Kriegsmarine

                                                                                                    R a e d e r

                                                                                           Grand Admiral, Dr. h.c.”

    The obverse design of the new badge was provided by Berlin artist Otto Placzek, and consisted of a central water plume from an underwater explosion surrounded by an oak leaf wreath and topped by the ever-present national symbol of the eagle clutching a swastika.  (As commonly seen on Kriegsmarine awards, the swastika was relatively understated compared with awards in other branches of the military and civilian services.)

“Explodierende Mine” (exploding mine) from “Fahrten und Flüge gegen England”, a book published by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, 1941.