History

The Naval Combat Badge of the Small Battle Units was founded by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz on November 30th, 1944, and was conferred upon members of the Small Battle Units (Kleinkampfverbände), a branch of the Navy which consisted of frogmen, one-man torpedoes, midget submarines and other unconventional combat devices. The branch was formed in fall of 1943, and the personnel or “K-Men” saw their first action at Anzio in April 1944.

The award was instituted in seven grades and was conferred based upon the number of actions an individual participated in.

The II Class insignia was awarded for meritorious participation in one successful dashing attack, and other types of miscellaneous aquatic combat vehicle attacks, like one-man torpedoes. It is an embroidered badge that features a swordfish with a hawser, and one sword.