WWII NAZI GERMAN LUFTWAFFE FLAK BADGE BY WH WW2

Two piece, die struck zinc alloy construction, solid backed badge is in the form of a vertically oval, oak-leaf wreath with a separate, Luftwaffe style eagle, clutching a canted, swastika in it’s talons, affixed to the top center. The wreath encompasses the cut-out, profile of an 88mm anti-aircraft gun with the gun barrel extending beyond the edge of the wreath. The badge features nice detailing including cut-outs to the swastika’s arms and feathering to the eagle’s wings and tail. Complete with original hinge, pin and catch assembly. Maker Marked WH indicating the marker W. Hobacher. Excellent. The Flak Artillery War Badge was introduced by Hermann Göring on January 10TH 1941, for award to air defence crews including searchlight and sound detection personnel. Originally the Flak Artillery War Badge was awarded to personnel for both aerial and ground target victories until the introduction of the Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge on March 31ST 1942, after which the Flak Artillery War Badge was only awarded for successful aerial target victories. Bestowal of the award was originally rendered on a point structure system with sixteen points required to be presented the badge, although the criteria was modified during the war. Of Note: The Flak arm is often viewed as a secondary arm of service within the Luftwaffe when in fact during the war between half and two thirds of all Luftwaffe personnel served in it.