Colonial Badge

The Colonial Badge (German: Kolonialabzeichen), colloquially also called the Order of the Elephant (German: Elefantenorden), also know as the Colonial War or even Warrior Badge (German: Kolonial-Kriegerabzeichen), designed by the German artist and sculptor Karl Möbius, was instituted in October 1921.

History

The first badges were issued on 22 March 1922 (other sources wrongly state 18 April 1922) by the Reich Ministry for Reconstruction in cooperation with the Reich Ministry of Defense (RWM) and the Colonial Central Administration (Kolonialzentralverwaltung), later also with the German Colonial War League (Deutscher Kolonialkriegerbund) of the Reich Colonial League (Reichskolonialbund).

It was only awarded upon application to colonial Germans, members of the Schutztruppe and foreigners who had rendered outstanding services to the former German colonies (protectorates) during the First World War. After its dissolution in 1924, the award was awarded by the Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) until 31 December 1935, from 1936 to 1945 by Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler, but only in isolated cases. By 21 November 1936, some 8,000 were issued, later award numbers are unknown.

Design

• Obverse: A palm tree and an elephant. The lower part is covered with oak leaves and around the upper rim are the place names 'SÜDSEE * AFRIKA * KIAUTSCHOU' referring to the larger geographical areas where German colonies were situated.
• Reverse: The text 'GES.[ETZLICH] GESCHÜTZT Nr. [..]' (legally protected and an award number). The badge is fitted with a single vertical brooch pin.

See also

• Colonial Medal (Kolonial-Denkmünze)