IdentifyMedals Logo

Category: Germany

The SS Long Service Award (8 Years of Service)

The SS Long Service Award (8 Years) was given as an acknowledgment for faithful and true services of German SS members.

The SS Long Service Awards (or SS-Dienstauszeichnungen in German) were given in grades of four years, eight years, twelve years, and twenty-five years as an acknowledgment for faithful and true services of SS members in the SS-Verfügungstruppen (SS Dispositional Troops), SS-Totenkopfverbänden (Death’s Head Units) und SS-Junkerschulen (Junker Schools). It was first introduced by Adolf Hitler on 30 January 1938.

The four and eight-year service awards were in the form of circular medals while the 12 and 25-year service awards were in the form of swastikas.  According to historian Chris Ailsby the awards ceased to be given at the end of 1941.

The SS Long Service Awards Grades or Classes

The grades are awarded to the respective ranks as follows:

  • 1st Class (Gold) for 25 years true service awards to eligible Officers, NCO’s and Men
  • 2nd Class (Silver) for 12 years true service awards to eligible Officers, NCO’s and Men
  • 3th Class (Bronze) for 8 years true service awards to eligible Officers, NCO’s and Men
  • 4th Class (Black) for 4 yrs true service for eligible NCO’s and Men.

The four-year and eight-year awards were the most common awards, and despite the fact that the Nazi movement lasted for little over 25 years, awards of the 25-year version were made well before 25 years of actual service were completed. This was because Kampfzeit (or “Time of Struggle”) counted double. Nevertheless, this was one of the rarer awards given out by Nazi Germany.

The SS Long Service Awards Design

The SS service awards were designed in Munich by Professor Karl Diebitsch, an artist and the Schutzstaffel (SS) officer responsible for designing much of the SS regalia in the Third Reich, including the chained SS officer’s dagger scabbard.

On its reverse side, each award had emblazoned the inscription, in German: FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER SS (“For Loyal Service in the SS”). 

The awards varied in design depending on the length of service of the recipient, and the branches of the Wehrmacht (Luftwaffe, Heer and Kriegsmarine) had different insignia. The Nazi Party and German Police also had a similar service award.

The eight-year service award was finished in bronze and was awarded to all Officers, NCOs and enlisted men. The eight-year service medal was manufactured by the firm Deschler.

The SS Long Service Award (12 Years of Service)

The SS Long Service Awards were given to SS members in grades of four, eight, twelve, and twenty-five years of service.

The SS Long Service Awards (or SS-Dienstauszeichnungen in German) were given in grades of four years, eight years, twelve years, and twenty-five years as an acknowledgment for faithful and true services of SS members in the SS-Verfügungstruppen (SS Dispositional Troops), SS-Totenkopfverbänden (Death’s Head Units) und SS-Junkerschulen (Junker Schools). It was first introduced by Adolf Hitler on 30 January 1938.

The four and eight-year service awards were in the form of circular medals while the 12 and 25-year service awards were in the form of swastikas.  According to historian Chris Ailsby the awards ceased to be given at the end of 1941.

The SS Long Service Awards Grades or Classes

The grades are awarded to the respective ranks as follows:

  • 1st Class (Gold) for 25 years true service awards to eligible Officers, NCO’s and Men
  • 2nd Class (Silver) for 12 years true service awards to eligible Officers, NCO’s and Men
  • 3th Class (Bronze) for 8 years true service awards to eligible Officers, NCO’s and Men
  • 4th Class (Black) for 4 yrs true service for eligible NCO’s and Men.

The four-year and eight-year awards were the most common awards, and despite the fact that the Nazi movement lasted for little over 25 years, awards of the 25-year version were made well before 25 years of actual service were completed. This was because Kampfzeit (or “Time of Struggle”) counted double. Nevertheless, this was one of the rarer awards given out by Nazi Germany.

The SS Long Service Awards Design

The SS service awards were designed in Munich by Professor Karl Diebitsch, an artist and the Schutzstaffel (SS) officer responsible for designing much of the SS regalia in the Third Reich, including the chained SS officer’s dagger scabbard.

On its reverse side, each award had emblazoned the inscription, in German: FÜR TREUE DIENSTE IN DER SS (“For Loyal Service in the SS”). 

The awards varied in design depending on the length of service of the recipient, and the branches of the Wehrmacht (Luftwaffe, Heer and Kriegsmarine) had different insignia. The Nazi Party and German Police also had a similar service award.

The twelve-year service award was in the shape of the swastika, had a silver finish and was awarded to all Officers, NCOs and enlisted men.

The Sudetenland Medal

The commonly known Sudetenland Medal was a decoration of Nazi Germany established in 1938 and awarded for the occupationsof Sudetenland.

The commonly known Sudetenland Medal (or “1 October 1938 Commemorative Medal”, Die Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938 in German) was a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded during the interwar period.

The Sudetenland medal was instituted on 18 October 1938 and was awarded to all German (and as well Sudeten) military personnel and State officials who had participated in the occupation of Sudetenland and the occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, as well as members of the German Wehrmacht and SS who marched into Sudetenland. Later, the medal was awarded to military personnel participating in the occupation of the remnants of Czechoslovakia on 15 March 1939.

The Sudetenland medal was awarded until 31 December 1940. In total, 1,162,617 medals and 134,563 bars were awarded.

The Sudetenland Medal Design

The medal was designed by Professor Richard Klein, a German artist known for his patriotic work as a medallist from the start of World War I and for his work as a favoured artist of the Nazi regime.

The medal looked similar to the Anschluss Medal, but the reverse differed in the date. It is round and on the obverse there is a man standing on a podium with the Third Reich coat of arms and holding the Nazi flag. The man is holding his hand and helping him get on the podium. Another man has a broken shackle on his right hand, symbolizing the joining to the Reich of Austria.

On the reverse side there is the inscription “1. Oktober 1938“, and the date is surrounded with the words “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer” (One People, One Empire, One Leader).

The medal was dye-struck and high in detail, with a bronze finish. It was suspended from a black ribbon with a red stripe in the middle, these being the colors of the Sudetenland.

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire. 

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (or Stern zum Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in German) was a senior decoration to the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross and the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire. The award is commonly known as “Blücher’s Star” (Blücherstern) after its first recipient.

This award was given to the most outstanding of generals who had performed feats of leadership that had extremely benefited the German state.

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded only twice, a century apart. The first time it was to Field Marshal Gebhard von Blücher in 1815, to recognize his victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. The second was awarded to Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg in 1918 for his victory at the Battle of Tannenberg. Paul von Hindenburg received the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (9 December 1916) to which the Golden Star added on 25 March 1918 (Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross).

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross Design

During the reign of Nazi Germany, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring commissioned a new version of the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross medal, with the intention of awarding it to Adolf Hitler once Germany had won the Second World War. Because Germany was defeated in 1945, the award was never bestowed on him.

After the Allied victory in May 1945, the US Army seized the only known prototype of this medal, which had been securely stored in a bunker. It is now a part of the collection of the Museum of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

More Variations of the Iron Cross

The Iron Cross, a prestigious German military decoration, has undergone several variations since its inception. For example, the Iron Cross 1813 was instituted during the Napoleonic Wars by King Frederick William III of Prussia, the Iron Cross 1914 was awarded during World War I, it was reinstated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the Iron Cross 1939 was revived by Adolf Hitler for World War II, with modifications including a swastika.

Related Article: The Iron Cross: History & Types of this Prussian German Military Medal

Find the Iron Cross Medal Online

Right Now on eBay 
Clicking a link to eBay may result in a referral commission being paid if a purchase is made.
Loading...

Further Reading About the Iron Cross

Discover the stories behind the Iron Cross with these compelling books and delve into the rich history and significance of this prestigious military decoration.

The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (EK 1939)

The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military and paramilitary award for the forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. 

The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (or Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes in German, also known as the Knight’s Cross or Ritterkreuz), was the highest military and paramilitary award for the forces of Nazi Germany during World War II. The award was instituted on 1 September 1939, at the onset of the German invasion of Poland, although it had been initially created by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia on 17 March 1813 (EK 1813).

The Knight’s Cross was awarded across all ranks for a wide range of reasons like skilled leadership of troops in battle or single acts of military valor. It was awarded to members of the three military branches of the Wehrmacht (the Heer or army, the Kriegsmarine or navy, and the Luftwaffe, Waffen-SS, Reichsarbeitsdienst and Volkssturm), along with personnel from other Axis powers.

Several higher graded, like the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross, the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves, Oak Leaves and Swords and with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds between 1941 and 1944, when the final grade, the Knight’s Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds, was created.

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross Design

The Iron Cross was established by the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III at the beginning of the German campaign during the Napoleonic Wars. The design was a silver-framed cast iron cross on 13 March 1813.

The material utilized was iron, because it symbolised defiance and reflected the spirit of the age. To finance the Prussian state army repulse the French occupation, the king implored wealthy Prussians to turn in their jewels in exchange for a men’s cast-iron ring or a ladies’ brooch, each bearing the legend “Gold I gave for iron” (Gold gab ich für Eisen).

The Iron Cross was renewed in 1939 with the outbreak of World War II and with Adolf Hitler in his role as commander in chief of the German armed forces. A new grade of the series was introduced, the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross. 

Over 7,000 awards were made during the course of the war. Analysis of the German Federal Archives revealed evidence for 7,161 officially bestowed recipients: 863 awards of the Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross, 147 Swords and 27 Diamonds awards. The Golden Oak Leaves to the Knight’s Cross was awarded only once, to Hans-Ulrich Rudel, a German ground-attack pilot, on 29 December 1944.

More Variations of the Iron Cross

The Iron Cross, a prestigious German military decoration, has undergone several variations since its inception. For example, the Iron Cross 1813 was instituted during the Napoleonic Wars by King Frederick William III of Prussia, the Iron Cross 1914 was awarded during World War I, it was reinstated by Kaiser Wilhelm II, and the Iron Cross 1939 was revived by Adolf Hitler for World War II, with modifications including a swastika.

Related Article: The Iron Cross: History & Types of this Prussian German Military Medal

Find the Iron Cross Medal Online

Right Now on eBay 
Clicking a link to eBay may result in a referral commission being paid if a purchase is made.
Loading...

Further Reading About the Iron Cross

Discover the stories behind the Iron Cross with these compelling books and delve into the rich history and significance of this prestigious military decoration.

The Hohenzollern Commemorative Medal for Combatants 1848-1849

The Hohenzollern Commemorative Medal for 1848-1849 Campaign was instituted by the King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm IV on August 23, 1851.

The Hohenzollern Commemorative Medal for 1848-1849 Campaign was instituted by the King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm IV on August 23, 1851  in association with the House Order of Hohenzollern. It was awarded to those officers and soldiers who remained loyal during the rebellions of 1848 and 1849.

A Hohenzollernsche Denkmünze für 1848-1849 was also awarded to Prussian troops for battles in Denmark in 1849 during the First Schleswig War.

The Prussian army played a crucial role in suppressing not only the rebellions in Prussia but also in Baden and Saxony. Nonetheless, Prussia became a constitutional state in 1849.

The Hohenzollern Commemorative Medal Design

The Hohenzollern Commemorative Medal is made of circular gilt bronze with a laterally-pierced ribbed loop for ribbon suspension. The obverse shows the face with the image of the cross pattée alisée of the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern and in the reverse is inscribed ‘FRIEDRICH WILHELM IV’ with the dates ‘1848’ and ‘1849’ above and below parallel lines and a circumscribed ‘SEINEN BIS IN DEN TOD GETREUEN KRIEGERN’ (His warrior loyal unto death).

The Alsen Cross

The Alsen Cross (Alsenkreuz) is a military medal of the Kingdom of Prussia established in 1864 to commemorate the victorious Battle of Alsen.

The Alsen Cross (or Alsenkreuz, in German) is a military medal of the Kingdom of Prussia established 7 December 1864 and commemorating the Prussian victory on 29 June 1864 during the Battle of Alsen.

Alsen is an island near the German border to which Danish forces had retreated. On the night of 29 June 1864, 2,500 Prussian troops crossed the Alssund in small boats and took the Danish lines, enabling a pontoon bridge to be built to bring up reinforcements. On 1 August, the Danish king renounced his right to Schleswig-Holstein in favour of Prussia and Austria.

The medal was initially awarded with two different suspension ribbons, for combatants and noncombatants. It was subsequently extended to those troops held in reserve at the battle and members of the Johanniter Orden who participated in the battle.

The Alsen Cross Design

The Alsen Cross is made of bronze cross pattée with a laurel wreath between the arms and a loop for ribbon suspension.

The obverse shows a circular central medallion bearing the head of King Wilhelm I facing left, and the inscription ‘WILHELM KOENING VON PREUSSEN’. The reverse bears a circular central medallion with the crowned Prussian royal eagle in flight, a laurel wreath in its talons, above a small boat in the sea before a stone wall, a standard bearing the Iron Cross to the right on its stern, the upper, left, right and lower arms inscribed ‘ALSEN’, ‘29’, ‘JUN.’, ‘1864’ respectively.

The Duppel Storm Cross

The Düppel Storm Cross was a military medal of the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to Prussian participants in the Battle of Dybbøl.

The Düppel Storm Cross (or Düppeler-Sturmkreuz in German) was a military medal of the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to Prussian participants in the Battle of Dybbøl which took place on 18 April 1864, during the Second Schleswig War.

The Düppel Storm Cross was established by Wilhelm, King of Prussia on 18 October 1864. The medal was initially awarded to combatants and noncombatants who had participated in the battle directly. In 1865, versions were created for those troops held in reserve at the battle and members of the Johanniter Orden who participated in the battle.

The Düppel Storm Cross Design

The Düppel Storm Cross was designed by Friedrich Wilhelm Kullrich, a Prussian court medalist. It was the first of three commemorative crosses awarded during the 1860s with similar designs.

The medal has the shape of a cross pattée. Between the arms of the cross is a laurel wreath and superimposed in its center is a round medallion. On the obverse, the medallion bears the left-facing effigy of King Wilhelm I and has the words WILHELM KOENIG VON PREUSSEN (William King of Prussia) written on it. The reverse of the medallion depicts a crowned Prussian eagle perched upon a Danish cannon.

The top arm of the cross has the word DÜPPEL, the left arm of the cross has 18, the right arm has APR., and the bottom arm of the cross bears the year 1864.

The West Wall Medal

The West Wall Medal was a decoration of Nazi Germany given to those who designed and built the fortifications on Germany’s western borders.

The West Wall Medal (or Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen in German) was a political decoration of Nazi Germany instituted on 2 August 1939.

The medal was given to those who designed and built the fortifications on Germany’s western borders, known as the West Wall or, in English, the Siegfried Line. It was also goven to the troops who served there between 15 June 1938 to 31 March 1939.

A total of 622,064 medals were awarded until 31 January 1941. In 1944, the medal was again re-instituted after the allied invasion and awarded to those who took part in the fortification of the western borders. By the end of the war, it had been awarded to over 800,000 men.

The West Wall Medal Design

The West Wall Medal is struck in bronze and of oval shape. It features on the obverse (from bottom to top) a bunker, a crossed sword and shovel, and the German Eagle. On the reverse it bore the inscription “Für Arbeit zum Schutze Deutschlands” (For Work on the Defenses of Germany).

The medal was designed by Professor Richard Klein, of Munich. The ribbon is golden brown with a white stripe towards each edge.

The Order of the German Eagle

The Order of the German Eagle, instituted by Hitler in 1937, was predominantly given to foreign diplomats during the German Nazi regime.

The Order of the German Eagle (or Verdienstorden vom Deutschen Adler, in German) was an award predominantly given to foreign diplomats during the German Nazi regime.

The Order was instituted on 1 May 1937 by Adolf Hitler and ceased to be awarded after the collapse of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II. This diplomatic and honorary award was given to prominent foreigners, particularly diplomats, who were considered sympathetic to Nazism.

In addition to awards to non-Germans, the Reich Foreign Minister and the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia received a ‘Special Degree’ (Sonderstufe), with identical insignia to the Grand Cross of the Order.

The Order of the German Eagle Classes

From 1937 to 1943 the order was presented in six classes:

  1. Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with star (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens)
  2. Order of the German Eagle with Star (Deutscher Adlerorden mit Stern)
  3. Order of the German Eagle 1st Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Erste Stufe)
  4. Order of the German Eagle 2nd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Zweite Stufe)
  5. Order of the German Eagle 3rd Class (Deutscher Adlerorden, Dritte Stufe)
  6. German Medal of Merit (Deutsche Verdienstmedaille)

A unique Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle in Gold with Diamonds (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens in Gold und Brillanten) was also awarded to Benito Mussolini on 25 September 1937.

The Order of the German Eagle Design

The Cross is based on the Maltese Cross, with German Eagles at each corner carrying a swastika. The Order also featured crossed swords for military recipients.

The overall appearance and name of the Order was an imitation of the Prussian Order of the Black Eagle and Order of the Red Eagle.

The cross was suspended from a 46 mm red ribbon with black, red, and white stripes. In the first two classes, the award also came in the form of a silver or gold eight-pointed star accompanied by a white Maltese Cross and gold eagles centered.

Buy an Order of the German Eagle

Note: As an eBay partner, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is all done automatically when you use a link and at no extra cost to you.

Right Now on eBay 
Clicking a link to eBay may result in a referral commission being paid if a purchase is made.
Loading...