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The Metz 1944 cuff title was a battle and tradition badge of the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It was created on October 24th, 1944 by Adolf Hitler through Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel and awarded in his function as Chief of the High Command of the Wehrmacht „in the nam

e of the Führer“. The creation of the Metz 1944 cuff title certified the owner an active defense role in defensive battles around the French fortress

of Metz (France), which raged in the time from August 27th till September 25th, 1944 between members of the battle group “ Siegroth “ and the Allies.

The Metz 1944 cuff title was only given as a badge of the Wehrmacht to those soldiers, who were parts of the battle group“Siegroth“. They must have at least one „honorable“ seven-day operation under the battle group „Siegroth“ or were wounded in the course of these fighting’s. Furthermore, the cuff title was provided as tradition badge that could be acquired by all officers, officials, sergeants and enlisted grades of „School VI Fhj. D. Inf. Metz“.

The Metz 1944 cufftitle consisted of black base with silver bezel and silver embroidered inscription: METZ 1944, it was worn on the left forearm. Furthermore, all political leaders of the NSDAP were allowed to wear the armband all Party uniforms and its organization uniforms. Again, the premise was an active role in the defense of the city. It is still not clear whether the cuff title was lent during the war. There are some pictures where the cuff title were handed over and some pictures with the Metz cuff title in wear. Some of the fighters in the Metz school told later, that the award Metz 1944 cuff title was written in the Wehrpass, but the cuff title itself and the award document were not handed over to the

fighters. But there are some groupings on the market with the documents and the cuff title together. From time to time there are original examples which are made slightly different. It is Hard to say if they are good or not.

This very nice cuff title Metz 1944 belongs to Thomas Bendixen, who was so kind to give me pictures for my book of about cuff titles.

TC & GH

Sascha

Hi Collectors, I found this very nice and rare

Operational Flight Clasp for Close Range Night Fighters in Gold on the internet. Collection of  Marco Rebola with the pictures from Militaria Berlin.

This one is hard to find in that near mint condition with all of the matt gilt plate still present. Swastika and highpoints burnished.  The silk matt black paint on the wreath complete which is often gone due to the use on the uniform. Close range night fighters clasp are easy to spot because of the black wreath and the arrowhead points upward.

Sadly not marked but a known variation.

To the history of these clasps:

….This clasp for the Luftwaffe were introduced August 14, 1942.

The front flying clasps were donated by Hermann Göring, the commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, on January 30, 1941, as a visible sign and recognition of the fronts in the air. All members of the Luftwaffe who were involved in front duty and fulfilled the provisions for this award. The front clasps were expanded 1944 on to finally 8 different versions.

These were:

Jäger, Nah Nachtjäger, Fern Nachtjäger, Aufklärer, Kampf-und Sturzkampfflieger, Transport-und Luftlandeflieger, Schlachtflieger und Zerstörer  An enemy flight included missions that were at least 30 km behind the frontline or were connected with enemy contacts. Later, long flight times, over 12 hours 4 times and over 16 hours were counted 5 times. The bronze front clasp was awarded after 20 enemy flights, the silver after 60 flights and the golden front clasp after 110 enemy flights.  Due to the frequent overloading of the numbers, the Star (Tag) was donated to the golden front wing on June 26, 1942. From  April 29, 1944, instead of the Star the numbers were given to the Crew men like 100, 200 and so on.

TC & GH

Sascha