Nazi German Campaign Awards |
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13th March 1938 Austria Medal with pinback ribbon. |
1st October 1938 Czech Medal with Prague Bar and pinback ribbon |
22nd March 1939 Memel Medal, maker marked 16 on ribbon ring for 'Alois Rettenmaier, Schwabisch.Gmund. With pinback ribbon |
These medals known as the 'Anschluss' medals or 'Flower Wars Medals' were awarded for participation in the reoccupation of territory separated from Germany by the terms of the Versailles treaty in 1918 at the end of World War One. The Austria Annexation medal was awarded to all Austrians & members of the Austrian NSDAP who contributed to or participated in the annexation of 13th March 1938. It was also awarded to German State officials, the German Wehrmacht and the SS men who marched into Austria. Presentation of the award was discontinued on December 13, 1940, by which time 318,689 had been awarded. The Czech Annexation medal was awarded for meritorious service in the reuniting of the Sudetenland German area with the Fatherland on October 1st 1938. Servicemen involved in establishing the protectorate were further awarded the Prague Castle Bar. Presentation of the award was discontinued on December 1st 1939 by which time 1,162,167 medals had been awarded along with 134,563 Prague Castle bars. The Memel Medal was the final Anschluss award and commerated the 22nd March 1939 return of the Memel Lands from Lithunia to the Fatherland. The award was presented to all military, political and civil Personnel who had distinguished themselves in actions related to the returning of the district to Germany. Presentation of the award was discontinued in December 1940, by which time only 31,322 had ever been awarded. |
The "Ostmedaille" (East Medal) was introduced on May 26,1942, to honour those who participated in the first Winter of Operation Barbarossa (The German invasion of Russia). It was awarded to those who met the following criteria during November 15, 1941 and April 26, 1942 - Fourteen days of combat participation, 30 combat sorties for Luftwaffe pilots or Sixty days of service in the combat zone (even if not engaged in actual combat). It was also awarded if you received wounds, or frostbite severe enough to warrant a Wound Badge. In case of death the medal was awarded posthumously and presented to the next of kin. It was also awarded to German Allies, such as the Italian and Rumanian forces and those volunteers from the invaded Eastern territories who joined the German Armed Forces. This one is maker marked on the ribbon ring. |
The Italo-German Campaign Medal for service in Africa. |
The "Ostmedaille" (East Medal), or "Russian Front Medal". |
The Italo-German Campaign Medal for service in Africa was instituted by the Italian Government to reward the achievements of Rommel's Afrika Korps. The medal was only to be awarded to German troops, the first presentations taking place in 1942. Due to Italy's withdrawal from the war and subsequent surrender, the wear of all Italian awards was prohibited in orders distributed to the German Armed Forces dated March 29th, 1944. This one has a bronze finish and is maker marked. |
Known as the "Blue Division Medal", it was instituted on January 3rd 1944 to recognize the 250th Infantry Division which was composed of Spanish volunterrs and saw heavy action in the Russian campaign. The medal was die struck in zinc alloy with a bronze wash. The ribbon ring is stamped with a '1' for the firm 'Deschler und Sohn'. |
Spanish Volunteer Medal (German Issue). |
