The "NAHKAMPFSPANGE" CLOSE COMBAT CLASP

    Close Combat Clasp

    Close Combat Clasp

    Introduction

    On 25 November 1942, the "Close Combat Clasp (CCC)" was instituted for achievement in hand to hand fighting in close quarters. The award was given in three classes:

    For 15 days of combat a Bronze Class was awarded.
    For 30 days of combat a Silver Class.
    For 50 days of combat a Gold Class.

    If the soldier was wounded in battle, the criteria was reduced to 10, 20 and 40 days. It was also given as a posthumous award and presented to the next-of-kin in a certificate. In addition the award was also retroactive credited for those soldiers who participated since the initial invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941.

    For 8 months service, 5 close combat days were credited.
    For 12 months service, 10 close combat days were credited.
    For 15 months service, 15 close combat days were credited.

    SSLAH Pressphoto

    Illustrated is a very nice press photo showing Waffen-SS men inside a trench. The SS Officer is wearing what seems to be the prestigious Close Combat Clasp in silver class.

    The decoration was designed by the military artist Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus. Normally on the reverse left side of all CCC you will find the "FEC" meaning from the Latin "Fecit" (made by) followed by "W.E. Peekhaus" (the artist name) and Berlin. On the right side the manufacturer's logo or name. The badge was die-cast and made of only Zinc, depending on the manufacturer the clasp is straight or slightly curved. The design shows a central motif consisting of the national emblem surmounting a crossed bayonet and hand grenade. The centerpiece was cut out and backed with a thin, flat square steel, crimped in place on the reverse.
    The badge was lacquered with a composition called "Brennlack," which was a powdered metal. When oven heated the paint was burned, leaving a metallic type coating that will flake off with time. The pins are normally wider in the center, tapering at the ends. The length of the CCC varies between 95 to 97mm. The weight could be anything between 24 and 37gms depending on the metal used.

    For more comprehensive detail information relating to the CCC I highly recommend "The German CLOSE COMBAT CLASP of World War II" by Thomas M. Durante recently published in 2007.

    Close Combat Clasp

    Close Combat Clasp

    Above you will see three different class of early issued Close Combat Clasp.
    The Bronze CCC has a two-toned "Brenlack" finish and is made by "C.E. Juncker in Berlin."

    The Silver CCC is made of high quality silver plating and is also made by "C.E. Juncker in Berlin." The Juncker silver clasps normally have the black square centerpiece, which gives it's appealing look.

    The Gold CCC has gold wash finish, which is much thinner then Brennlack coating. Unfortunately the zinc absorbes the finish nevertheless a rare piece. The CCC is made by "Friedrich Liden in Luedenscheid- FLL."

    Close Combat Clasp Reverse

    Reverse Close Combat Clasps


    The top Bronze and Silver Class have the slender banjo style magnetic pins. Both have the flat wire catch and barrel hinge. The clasp has the designer's name on the lower left side and the manufacturer's name posted on the lower right side.
    The reverse on the Gold Class CCC has a full banjo style pin. The designer's name is listed on the lower left with the manufacturer's "FLL" stylized initials posted on the lower right. It has a thick wire catch and block hinge.
    For information relating to the Gold CCC I highly recommend the book called "Die Trär der Nahkampfspange in Gold" by Manfred Dörr



    German Manufacturing Firms

    The following is a list of known manufactures:
    Arbeitsgemeinschaft Metall und Kunststoff, Gablonz (A.G.M.u.K. Gablonz).
    C E Juncker, Berlin
    Friedrich Linden, Luedenscheid (FLL)
    Funcke & Brueninghaus, Luedenscheid (F&BL)
    Hymmen & Co, Luedenscheid (H&C/L)
    Gebrueder Wegerhoff, Luedenscheid (GWL)
    Rudolf Souval, Wien (R S)
    Josef Felix Soehne, Gablonz (JFS)

    Deschler & Sohn, Muenchen (unmarked)
    Hobascher, Wilhelm, Wien (unmarked)
    Steinhauer & Lueck, Luedenscheid (unmarked)



    Gold Combat Clasp

    It should be noted that a Gold Presentation CCC was issued with a black case. It was made of Tombak and was manufactured by C.E. Juncker of Berlin eventhough it does not have the manufacturer's mark. The so-called deluxe version has a top hook located on the reverse behing the eagle. In addition, the backing plate is held in place by a small central rivet. It should be noted that the presentation CCC in Tombak did not come until March 1944.

    According to the Dörr description of the ceremonies the Gold Deluxe Clasp was awarded and at some of the ceremonies an adujant followed behind and handed out a normal wear piece to the recipients as well. Not every Gold CCC recipient got one of the Deluxe, cased clasp. Many, especially in distant frontline areas, just got the normal Gold CCC.

    The Gold, Close Combat Clasp was regarded by Hitler as the highest infantry decoration. Eight group presentation ceremonies of the Gold CCC were conducted. On 26 March 1944, Hitler proclaimed to exercised the right to personally present the Gold, CCC but this was not the definitive rule. Other high personalities from the German Army (i.e. Guderian as OKH head and Himmler as Chief of the Ersatz Heer since the 20 July 1944 plot) also proceeded to award CCC in Gold.

    According to Mr. Durante and Dörr's book which are the most comprehensive sources on that matter;
    Himmler awarded Gold CCC in 3 occasions: 1- 10/23/44 : to 7 soldiers in the Führerhauptquartier
    2- 12/12/44 : to 83 soldiers at the Rathaus in Ulm
    3- 02/16/45 : to 16 soldiers in Bernau.
    Hitler personally awarded 14 Gold CCC to officers and men of the Army and Waffen-SS on 27 August 1944.

    On 30 August 1944 a decreed was issued for those receiving the Gold CCC were automatically to receive the German Cross in Gold. According to Angolia's book "For Fuhrer and Fatherland" it indicates that official records show that 536 Gold CCC were awarded, 100 to enlisted, 302 to NCO's and 134 to Officers by the end of April 1945.
    About 97 Waffen-SS men of all ranks received this class.

    Mr. Durante's book indicate about 633 known Gold Close Combat recipients.

    The Close Combat Clasp was worn above the upper left uniform pocket. The award was authorized to be presented by regimental commander or equivalent. Combat days were entered in the soldier's record and certified. A certificate was awarded in conjunction with the CCC.

    Close Combat Clasp Certificate

    Close Combat Clasp Certificate in Silver

    Above is the CCC silver certificate given to a highly decorated soldier who won not only the silver CCC, but also the Infantry Assault Badge in silver, the EKII and the "Demjansk" shield.
    The CCC silver clasp is posted above the certificate.

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