Balloon Observer's Badge

The Balloon Observer's Badge (German: Ballonbeobachterabzeichen) was a military decoration of Nazi Germany during World War II. It was awarded to German Army personnel who operated gas balloons flying them 300 ft (91 m)-500 ft (152 m) above the ground.^[1] The balloons were easy targets for Allied pilots and ground fire. Due to its late introduction, only a very small number of badges were awarded.^[2]

Balloon Observer's Badge Ballonbeobachterabzeichen
Balloon Observer's Badge in Gold
Type	Badge
Awarded for	service as a balloon observer
Presented by	Nazi Germany
Eligibility	Military personnel
Campaign(s)	World War II
Status	Obsolete
Established	8 July 1944

The die-struck badge features a laurel wreath of oak leaves and acorns surmounted by the national eagle grasping a swastika. Below this is a representation of an observation balloon.^[1] The Balloon Observer's Badge had three grades based on a point system: Bronze (20 points); Silver (45 points) and Gold (75 points).^[3][4]

Points were awarded for particular conditions, such as the difficulty and success of a mission. There is no record of the gold version ever being awarded.^[3][4] Recommendation for the award was rendered by a commanding officer of either the observer unit, artillery unit or army unit.^[3]

Notes

1. Angolia 1987, p. 104.
2. Angolia 1987, pp. 104, 105.
3. Angolia 1987, p. 105.
4. Ailsby 1987, p. 179.

References

• Ailsby, Christopher (1987). Combat Medals of the Third Reich. Harpercollins. ISBN 978-0850598223.
• Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.