The Infantry Assault Badge (German: Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen) was a German war badge awarded to Waffen SS and Wehrmacht Heer soldiers during the Second World War. This decoration was instituted on December 20, 1939 by the Commander-in-Chief of the German Army, Generalfeldmarschall Walther von Brauchitsch. It could be awarded to members of non-motorized Infantry units and units of the Gebirgsjäger that had participated in Infantry assaults, with light Infantry weapons, on at least three days of battle in the front line as from January 1, 1940. When a counter offensive led to fighting at short distance, it could also apply. Award of the Infanterie Sturmabzeichen was authorized at regimental command level or above. The first two awards were given to an officer and an enlisted soldier on a special occasion on May 28, 1940, by Brauchitsch himself.
Silver
The silver class was instituted on December 20, 1939 by the commander of the OKH, Walther von Brauchitsch, and was awarded to infantry soldiers according to one of the following criteria:[3]
To have taken part in three or more infantry assaults.
To have taken part in three or more infantry counter-attacks.
To have taken part in three or more armed reconnaissance operations.
To have engaged in hand-to-hand combat in an assault position.
To have participated on three separate days in the restitution of combat positions.
Bronze
The bronze class was instituted on June 1, 1940. It was awarded to motorized/ Mechanized Infantry troops according to the following criteria:
To have taken part in three or more motorized infantry assaults.
To have taken part in three or more motorized infantry counter-attacks.
To have taken part in three or more motorized armed reconnaissance operations.
To have been engaged in hand-to-hand combat in motorized assault positions.
To have participated on three separate days in the restitution of a motorized combat position.