Battle Honour

Battle Honours are a tradition of the Commonwealth countries, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. There are honorable mentions of battles, where a military unit has participated successfully. The awarding of the Battle Honour made ​​by the monarch in his capacity as head of state.

History

Battle honors are awarded to regiments and battalions in the army and to ships and squadrons in the other branches of the armed forces. The ceremony for smaller units is done only in exceptional cases. Combat support units such as Pioneer, artillery and supply units can no Battle Honours received, however, lead units of the first two categories, the Latin word ubique (German: everywhere) instead in their coat of arms.

Battle Honours are awarded in the form of names of countries, cities, or battles in which the unit has excelled, sometimes associated with the year. They are partially listed on the regimental flag and the drums of the regimental band in chronological order. Are rarely, single Battle Honours in the regimental coat of arms or on the effects of the uniform ( for example, buttons, Empleme neck and head coverings ) are shown. So wear some British regiments a sphinx for their participation in the battle of Tel -el- Kebir in the campaign to defeat the Urabi movement in Egypt. The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards continue the tradition of the Scots Greys continued, who had distinguished themselves in the Battle of Waterloo, Waterloo, and carry the signature badge.

The first Battle Honours were awarded towards the end of the 18th century, when the flags lost its practical significance as a banner in the battle. Towards the end of the 19th century, the award was formalized by a special audit committee has been established, which still exists today. Not infrequently, the award takes place decades after the event.

Given the often very long traditions of British Army units that continue the traditions of the predecessor units even with mergers of regiments, the Battle Honours have a special meaning. They show all the soldiers of the unit, but especially the recruits, in which tradition they stand.

In Germany up to the Second World War, the banner ribbon one of the Battle Honour was similar distinction. Each unit received a banner ribbon for each battle in which they had participated. In the Bundeswehr flags bands are still awarded, but this took not the bands of the same units of the Wehrmacht or the Imperial German Army.