Alter Kämpfer

Alter Kämpfer (in German “old fighter”, plural: Alte Kämpfer , “old guard”) was a term used in the Nazi party to refer to the first members of the party, ¹ for example, those who were incorporated before their arrival at Power in Germany on January 30, 1933, especially from the first years of foundation, between 1919 and 1923. ² As an “old guard” with a proven dedication to the movement in the so-called Kampfzeit (“fighting period”) of 1925- 1933, were distinguished from the new members of the party, who joined when they were already raised with power, perhaps opportunism. Three decorations were instituted for this distinction: ³

• The Cabrio of honor of the old guard , granted to the members of the party or affiliated organizations before the 30 of January of 1933.
• The Golden Party Plate , awarded to the first 100,000 party members. ⁴
• The Order of Blood , for those who participated in the failed Putsch of Munich of 1923.