75 GENERAL ASSAULT BADGE NAMED TO KNIGHT'S CROSS WINNER HAUPTMANN ROLF DUE ON 20 APRIL 1945

This item is a rare, "JFS" maker marked, "75" General Assault Badge with the personal name of Hauptmann Rolf Due and the date 20 April 1945 engraved on its reverse side.

As can be clearly seen in the photo of the full frontal view of this badge shown left, its gold washed wreath, while worn in spots, still remains fully intact. Moreover, it exhibits a heavy patina that could only be the result of oxidation over a long period of time.

The number "75" appears on a plate centered at the base of the badge and appears to have aged in a manner that is fully consistent with the oxidation appearing on the wreath. The eagle and swastika, centered over the crossed grenade and bayonet, are all part of one single piece of polished steel, which then has been permanently attached to the wreath by the use of four (4) rivets

Rolf Due was born in 1915 and served for six months (6) with the RAD (Reichsarbeitdienst) from March to November 1937 before joining Panzer Division 19 with the rank of private. He would subsequently remain with this unit for the balance of his military career, ending up being a Captain and battalion commander by the end of the war in May 1945.

ABOVE is a full frontal view of the "JFS" marked, 75 General Assault Badge. BELOW LEFT is a significantly enlarged photo of the front of this item clearly showing its excellent detail, construction and patina finish.. BELOW RIGHT is a photo of Hauptmann Due. Clearly visible in this shot is the fact that he is wearing a numbered General Assault badge. Since he is also wearing the Knight's Cross, which he received on 23 March 1945, this means that this photo could logically only have been taken on that date or later.