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Category: Interwar Medals

The Memel Medal

The Return of Memel Commemorative Medal is a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded during the interwar period, and the last of a series.

The Return of Memel Commemorative Medal (or Medaille zur Erinnerung an die Heimkehr des Memellandes; 22. März 1939 in German) is a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded during the interwar period, and the last of the series of German Occupation Medals.

Germany annexed the Klaipėda Region (Memel Territory) from Lithuania on 22 March 1939 after an oral ultimatum. On 23 March an occupation of the city and district was carried out by German Army troops. To commemorate the occupation the “Memel Medal” was authorized on 1 May 1939.

It was awarded until 31 December 1940. The award was presented to all military, political and civil personnel who had distinguished themselves in actions related to the annexation of the district to Germany. In all 31,322 medals were awarded.

The Memel Medal Design

The medal was designed by Professor Richard Klein and die struck in bronze. It was worn on the left tunic pocket suspended from a white ribbon with a green strip in the middle and two red strips on each side, the historic colors of Lithuania Minor.

The obverse was the exactly the same as the previous two medals, but the reverse reads “Zur Erinnerung an die Heimkerhr des Memellandes 22. März 1939” (To commemorate the return of the Memel District. 22 March 1939), surrounded by an oak leave wreath.

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Nazi)

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 the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire.

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded to the most outstanding of generals who performed feats of leadership to the extreme benefit of the German state. It was awarded only twice, a century apart, to Field Marshal Gebhard von Blücher in 1815 for his victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, and to Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg in 1918 for his victory at the Battle of Tannenberg. The award is commonly known as “Blücher’s Star” (Blücherstern) after its first recipient.

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).

During the reign of Nazi Germany, Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring commissioned a new version of the medal, intending to award it to Adolf Hitler once Germany won the Second World War.

Since Germany was defeated in 1945, the award was never bestowed on the intended recipient. Following the Allied victory in May 1945, the US Army seized the only known prototype, which had been 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.

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Icon Cross Design

The design of the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross is similar to that od the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, but with a golden crown and a swastika symbol.

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

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Further Reading About the Iron Cross

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The Coburg Badge

The Coburg Badge (Das Coburger Abzeichen in German) was the first badge recognized as a national award of the Nazi Party or NSDAP.

The Coburg Badge (or Das Coburger Abzeichen in German) was the first badge recognized as a national award of the Nazi Party or NSDAP.

Adolf Hitler ordered the Coburg Badge to be struck on 14 October 1932 to memorialize the event which took place ten years earlier, on Saturday, 14 October 1922. On that day, Hitler led 800 members of the SA from Munich and other Bavarian cities by train to Coburg for a weekend rally. Once there, numerous pitched street battles with leftists and communists occurred. In the end, the final victory belonged to the Nazis. Later, the day was known as the Deutscher Tag in Coburg (German Day in Coburg). Hitler had one his first decisive victory, as it was to become Nazi folklore and led to the expression, in ardent Nazi circles, ‘But were you at Coburg?‘

The badge was declared an official party and national decoration in a decree signed by Hitler, on 6th November 1936, who had taken a personal interest in the design. Only 436 names were entered on the official party roll of recipients who were entitled to the badge.

On 1 August 1939, Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler decreed that any SS member (whether enlisted or officer) who wore the Coburg Badge was eligible to wear the Totenkopf ring.

The Coburg Badge Medal Design

The award consists of an oval, slightly convex badge that was originally produced in massive bronze. It is 40mm wide and 54mm high, with a narrow wreath of laurel leaves around its edge measuring 2 mm across.

The badge features, in the obverse, a sword placed tip downward across the face of a swastika within an oval wreath of three leaves in each bunch and two berries at their tips. There are ten bunches on either side and the top two bunches on either side do not have the laurel berries. At the top of the wreath is Coburg Castle and village. The Castle has two spires on the viewer’s left with a large roofed building and a small adjacent pinnacle on the right. The wreath contains the words, “MIT HITLER IN COBURG 1922-1932″ (with Hitler in Coburg 1922-1932). Inside the wreath is a flat field that measures 4 mm, with a raised 0.5 mm line.  The central oval void has a large swastika measuring 16 mm across and the width of the individual arms is 4 mm. From the top of the badge, superimposed over the castle and swastika is a double-edged sword with straight quillons, twisted grip handle and a pronounced ball pommel.

The reverse is plain with a thin hinge and a pin that has a circular retainer and a ‘C’ type hook at the bottom. There is a second version of the badge which is thinner and has the RZM mark on the reverse.

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award is a military service decoration of Nazi Germany issued for satisfactory completion of years in service.

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award (or Wehrmacht-Dienstauszeichnung in German) is a military service decoration of Nazi Germany, which was issued for satisfactory completion of a number of years (12, 18, 25 or 40) in military service.

On 16 March, 1936, Adolf Hitler ordered the institution of service awards for the first four classes. Afterwards, on 10 March, 1939, the 40 years service award was also introduced.

Each branch of the Wehrmacht (air force, army and navy) maintained their own version of the Long Service Award. The decoration was issued for four years (fourth class), 12 years (third class), 18 years (second class), 25 years (first class), and 40 years (1939 special class).

The Wehrmacht Long Service Award Design

The award was designed by Dr 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. Klein was director of the Munich School of Applied Arts and also one of Hitler’s favorite painters. His work was exhibited at the “Great German Art Exhibition” held at the Haus der Kunst in Munich in 1937, including plaques contributed from Adolf Hitler’s private collection.

Recipients of lower Wehrmacht Long Service year awards would wear the decoration simultaneously with higher level decorations in the following manner:

  • 3rd Class with 4th Class
  • 2nd Class with 4th Class
  • 1st Class with 3rd Class

The Long Service Award was retroactive throughout a service member’s career, including Reichswehr service and service during and before World War I. In consequence, there were a handful of 40 year awards presented even when the Nazi era only lasted 12 years, from 1933 to 1945.

The SS Long Service Award (4 Years of Service)

The SS Long Service Awards were given in grades of four years, eight years, twelve years, and twenty-five years of true services in the SS.

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 SS Long Service Award for 4 years of service was the first and lowest class in the hierarchy of the SS long service awards. The 4-year award was specifically given to non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted men, recognizing their service within the SS.

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 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 four-year service award featured a black finish and was exclusively given to non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and enlisted men. The use of black enamel and the SS runes emphasized the connection to the SS organization. 

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 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

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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 India General Service Medal (1936)

The Indian General Service Medal is a British campaign medal issued to officers and men of the British and Indian armies.

The Indian General Service Medal (also known as 1936 IGSM) is a British campaign medal issued to officers and men of the British and Indian armies, and of the Royal Air Force approved on 3 August 1938.

The 1936 IGSM was awarded for minor military campaigns on the North-West Frontier of India between 1936 to 1939. Two campaigns / clasps were sanctioned, both relating to operations in Waziristan:

  • The North West Frontier 1936–37 Clasp
  • The North West Frontier 1937–39 Clasp

The Indian General Service Medal 1937-1939 clasp was only struck and distributed after the Second World War. Recipients of a Mention in Dispatches were entitled to wear an oak leaf emblem on the ribbon.

The Indian General Service Medal Design

The medal was struck at the Calcutta mint for Indian forces and London mint for British forces. The claw mount attaching the medal disc to the suspension is different in the two medals, the Calcutta Mint version has a plain curved style, and the London made medals are of a more elaborate raised scroll type.

The ribbon is 32mm, grey flanked by narrow red stripes, with broad green stripes at the edges.

Following the grant of Indian Independence in 1947 the medal became obsolete, although it could still to be worn in uniform by British, Indian and Pakistani servicemen.