Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe

The Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe (Erdkampfabzeichen der Luftwaffe) is a German military award instituted on 31 March 1942 by the commander-in-chief (Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe) Hermann Göring. It was awarded for achievement in ground combat. Designed by Professor Sigmund von Weech, the badge consists of a Luftwaffe eagle, clawing a Swastika, flying above a storm cloud, from which a lightning bolt strikes rough ground.

Award criteria
The general criteria for its presentation was the participation in three separate combat operations on separate days. Luftwaffe soldiers who had already been awarded medals or orders of the Heer such as Assault Badge or the Infantry Assault Badge, were required to exchange their badges for the Ground Assault Badge of the Luftwaffe.

Grades
As the war progressed it became necessary to further distinguish those soldiers who had already exceeded the awarding criteria. To accomplish this distinction four numbered grades were introduced on 10 November 1944 based on the number of combat operations.
 * 2nd grade (II. Stufe) for 25 eligible operations
 * 3rd grade (III. Stufe) for 50 eligible operations
 * 4th grade (IV. Stufe) for 75 eligible operations
 * 5th grade (V. Stufe) for 100 eligible operations