German Defense Economy Wehrwirtschaftsführer Leader Stickpin

Excellent and rare stickpin for the Wehrwirtschaftsführer made in gilt Cupol with high-polish to features. Die-stampes and cut manufacture. Unmarked as expected.

22mm across with a 50mm knurled brass stickpin.

This badge was instituted in 1939 and awarded to industrialists who made important contributions towards the war effort with some notable awardees being aircraft designer Claude Dornier, aircraft designer Kurt Tank, arms manufacturer Alfred Krupp, aircraft manufacturer Ernst Heinkel, Fritz Walther, designer of the PPK, etc. In 1938, Goring set up a Council for Defense Economy. Its members were chosen from the leading industrialists in Germany with each member having the title “Defence Economy Leader”. The Council had the responsibility of preparing and carrying out mobilization of the armaments industry and directing it in time of war and each industrialist had to submit a “declaration of political attitude” where he pledged loyalty to the state. The badge was instituted in March 1939 to recognize the members of the Council and to single out industrial leaders above middle management level who contributed significantly to the furtherance of industrial management. Recommendation for the award had to come from the Kreis in which the proposed recipient worked and had to be approved by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht.