Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus

Wilhelm Ernst Peekhaus was considered a "top-designer" from Berlin.^[1] He was commissioned multiple times to design war badges. The awards he designed were for recognizing participation in combat in some way with specific requirements based on the specific award.

He designed the Fast Attack Craft War Badge, the U-boat Front Clasp, the General Assault Badge, the Panzer Badge, the Army Anti-Aircraft Badge, and the Air Force Anti-Aircraft Flak Battle Badge. These were designed for the use of the Wehrmacht, specifically for the use of Kriegsmarine, and the Heer. The Fast Attack Craft War Badge was a German military decoration awarded to Kriegsmarine members for service on fast attack crafts or torpedo boats.^[2] Required qualifications included a very highly successful sortie, wounds in action, 12 sorties against enemy vessels or installations or outstanding leadership. This badge was instituted on 30 May 1941.^[2] The U-boat Front Clasp was a German badge that was awarded to holders of the U-boat War Badge to recognize continued combat service and valor during World War II.^[3] There were no fixed merits to earn the award, but was based on the recommendations of the U-boat commander and subject to approval by Karl Dönitz.^[3] The General Assault Badge was awarded to personnel of the German Army who were not in infantry or tank units during World War II. It was created for pioneers, and later extended to other support personnel who did not qualify for either the Infantry Assault Badge or the Panzer Assault Badge. The criterion for the award was the same as for the Infantry Assault Badge and the Panzer Badge: three separate assaults on three separate days.^[4] The Panzer Badge was a German medal that recognized the crews of armored vehicles other than tanks.^[5] It was also to be presented to members of armored reconnaissance groups and rifle battalions of Panzer divisions. The authorization of these badges was usually done at a regimental or divisional level.^[5] The Army Anti-Aircraft Badge and the Air Force Anti-Aircraft Badge was created to award members of Anti-Aircraft Units. They were awarded based on a points system, four for a "kill" of an aircraft, and two for sharing a "kill" with another Anti-Aircraft Team.^[6]

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