Claim: A Gau badge, which can be worn anytime except when wearing the Golden Party Badge, which was authorized by Adolf Hitler in 1933, is considered as a Party award and the criteria to award these were determined by the Gauleiter.
Evidence: They could be worn at any time, except when wearing the Golden Party Badge. The Gau badges were considered Party awards, but were not recognized as national awards. Regulations for award were determined by the Gauleiter as were any award degrees. The Golden Party Badge (Goldenes Parteiabzeichen) was authorised by Adolf Hitler in a decree in October 1933.