Intended to be awarded to the most successful German General/Field Marshal of the Second World War, once Greater Germany had achieved victory.
Order of the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross
Order Of The Grand Cross Of The Iron Cross
Awarded to victorious Generals/Field Marshals of German forces and her allies. Hermann Göring was the only recipient of this award during the second world war after his part in the victory over Poland, France, Denmark, Norway and the BeNeLux nations. He was awarded this award on 19 July 1940.
Memel Medal
In the last bloodless action, Germany annexed the Klaipėda Region (Memel Territory) from Lithuania on 22 March 1939 after an oral ultimatum. On 23 March a peaceful occupation of the city and district was carried out by German troops who debarked by ship. This area of East Prussia, with 160,000 inhabitants, had been turned over to Lithuania in the aftermath of World War I following the Klaipėda Revolt and Klaipėda Convention of 1924. To commemorate the occupation the "Memel Medal" was authorized on 1 May 1939. It was awarded until 1 December 1940. In all 31,322 medals were awarded.
Anchluss Medal
Instituted on May 1, 1938, the medal commemorated the annexation of Austria to the German Reich, the so called Anschluss. The move was the first in Hitler's quest for Lebensraum, and it strengthened German flanks while weakening those of Czechoslovakia. German troops crossed the border on March 12, 1938, without meeting any resistance. The stage had been set by a series of "incidents" provoked by members of the Nazi Party in Austria, and diplomatic pressure and ultimatums set forth by the German government. This first action, while perhaps raising suspicions, did not cause general alarm in the world community, as it seemed to be done by choice of the Austrian people who spoke German. The medal was awarded to all those Austrians who contributed to or participated in the annexation as well as the members of the Austrian National Socialism movement. It was also awarded to German State officials and members of the German Wehrmacht and SS who marched into Austria. It was awarded until December 13, 1940. In all 318,689 medals were awarded.
Civil Defense Medal 2nd Class (Luftschutz)
The Luftschutz was a civilian force who served multiple purposes. From fighting fires and clearing debris resulting from bombing raids to being the last line of defense when Germany was being over ran by the allied forces at the end of the war. Instituted to reward merit in the air defences and air raid precautions.
Merit Cross Iron Cross with Swords, First Class
The War Merit Cross (German: Kriegsverdienstkreuz) was a decoration of Nazi Germany during the Second World War, which could be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel. This award was created by Adolf Hitler in 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars (same medal but with a different ribbon). The award was graded the same as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service in battle above and beyond the call of duty (but not worthy of an Iron Cross which was more a bravery award), and without swords for meritorious service behind the lines which could also be awarded to civilians.
Merit Cross Iron Cross without Swords, Second Class
The War Merit Cross (German: Kriegsverdienstkreuz) was a decoration of Nazi Germany during the Second World War, which could be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel. This award was created by Adolf Hitler in 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars (same medal but with a different ribbon). The award was graded the same as the Iron Cross: War Merit Cross Second Class, War Merit Cross First Class, and Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross. The award had two variants: with swords given to soldiers for exceptional service in battle above and beyond the call of duty (but not worthy of an Iron Cross which was more a bravery award), and without swords for meritorious service behind the lines which could also be awarded to civilians.
War Merit Medal
There was also another version below the Merit Cross 2nd class simply called the War Merit Medal (German: Kriegsverdienstmedaille), set up in 1940 for civilians in order to offset the large number of 2nd class without swords being awarded. It was usually given to those workers in factories who significantly exceeded work quotas.
Eastern Front Medal (Ostmedaille)
The Eastern Front Medal was a World War II German military decoration awarded to both combatant and non-combatant personnel who saw service on the German Eastern Front during the period 15 November 1941 to 15 April 1942. It was instituted on 26 May 1942 and is more commonly known as the Ostmedaille (East Medal). It was commissioned to recognise the hardship endured by German and Axis personnel, combatant or non-combatant, during the especially bitter Russian winter of 1941 and 1942. It was wryly called the Frozen Meat Medal by Heer, Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS personnel to whom it was awarded.
