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{{short description|German campaign medal}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2009}}
{{use British English|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox military award
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
|name=Eastern Front Medal<br />Die Medaille Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42 (Ostmedaille)
{{Use shortened footnotes|date=November 2023}}
|image=]
{{Infobox award
|caption=The medal's obverse (left) and reverse (right).
| name = Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal<br />{{small|{{native name|de|Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42}}}}
|awarded_by=]
| image = Ostmedaille.jpg
|type=Military decoration
| image_upright = 1.3
|eligibility=Military personnel
| caption = ] of the medal
|for=participation in the first winter of ] (the invasion of the Soviet Union)
| presenter = the '']'' and Supreme Commander of the '']''
|campaign=]
| country = {{flagcountry|Germany|Nazi}}
|status=Obsolete
| type = ]
|description=
| eligibility = '']'' and '']'' personnel
|clasps=
| awarded_for = Service in the ] from {{nowrap|15 November 1941}} to {{nowrap|15 April 1942}}
|established=26 May 1942
| campaign = ] – ]
|first_award=
| status = <!-- EDITORS NOTE: Please leave blank. Thank you. -->
|last_award=4 September 1944
| description = <!-- EDITORS NOTE: Please leave blank. Thank you. -->
|total=Over 3 million
| established = 26 May 1942
|posthumous=
| lastawarded = 4 September 1944
|recipients=
| total_awarded = Over 3 million
|individual=
|higher= | higher = ]
| image2 = ]
|same=
| caption2 = ]
|lower=
|related=
|image2= ]
|caption2= ''Ostmedaille'' ribbon bar
}} }}
]
The '''Eastern Medal''' ({{langx|de|Ostmedaille}}), officially the '''Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal''' ({{langx|de|Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42|links=no}}), was a military ] of the '']'' which was created by ordinance of ] on 26 May 1942.{{sfn|Littlejohn|Dodkins|1968|p=129}}


The '''Eastern Front Medal''' ({{Lang-de|Medaille „Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42“}}) was a ] ] military decoration awarded to both combatant and non-combatant personnel who saw service on the German ] 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 ] personnel, combatant or non-combatant, during the especially bitter Russian winter of 1941 and 1942. It was wryly called the ''Frozen Meat Medal'' ({{Lang-de|Gefrierfleischorden}}) by ], ] and ] personnel to whom it was awarded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalwarmilitariaforum.com/topic/3969-general-information-about-the-winterschlacht-im-osten-eastern-front-medal-and-their-manufacturers/|title=General information about the Winterschlacht im Osten / Eastern Front Medal and their manufacturers|work=Historical War Militaria Forum}}</ref> The Eastern Medal was awarded to any member of the ''Wehrmacht'' and '']'' who served on the German ] during the ], within the period from {{nowrap|15 November 1941}} to {{nowrap|15 April 1942}}. It was also awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within the ].{{sfn|Angolia|1987|p=69}} It was wryly called the ''Frozen Meat Medal'' or the "Order of the Frozen Flesh" ({{langx|de|Gefrierfleischorden}}).{{sfn|Beevor|2012|p=327}}


== Criteria ==
==Qualification for the award==
''Wehrmacht'' personnel qualified for the Eastern Medal after a minimum of 14 days in active combat; 30 air combat ]s; 60 days continuous of service in a combat zone; being wounded or suffering a "frozen limb", severe enough to warrant the issue of a ], and it could be awarded posthumously.{{sfn|Angolia|1987|p=69}}
*14 days served in active combat within the specified area between 15 November 1941 and 15 April 1942
*60 days served in specified area between 15 November 1941 and 15 April 1942, non-combat
*Wounded in action
*Killed in action (posthumous award)
*Injury caused by ] (or another injury related to the climate) severe enough to warrant the issue of a ]


On 20 January 1943, official qualification for the Eastern Medal was extended to include both male and female combatant and non-combatant personnel in the ''Wehrmacht''. Also, foreign members of ''Wehrmacht units''; personnel killed or missing in action{{sfn|Angolia|1987|p=70}} and civilians working under ''Wehrmacht'' control, including those involved in construction and road building.{{sfn|Williamson|2002|p=33}} Geographic limits were placed on the award of east of ] and ''Ostland'' or in the ] area, east of the original 1940 Russo/Finnish border. The Eastern Medal was officially decommissioned by the '']'' ({{langx|de|High Command of the Armed Forces}}) (''OKW'') on 4 September 1944.{{sfn|Angolia|1987|p=69}}
Unique in that its designer was a contemporary serving soldier, ''SS-Unterscharführer'' Ernst Krause, the medal was held in high regard by all branches of the Wehrmacht. Measuring {{convert|3.6|cm|inch|0|abbr=on}} in diameter, of (generally) zinc construction, the medal was given a gun-metal coloured coating. On one side an eagle grasps a ] and the reverse features the text "Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42" ("Winter Battle in the East 1941/42") featuring a crossed sword and branch below the text. The helmet and outer ring were finished in a polished silver effect. A ribbon that accompanied the medal was coloured red, white and black (symbolic of blood, snow and death). The medal and ribbon were usually presented in a paper packet, but these were invariably discarded. Over 3 million were made by more than 26 confirmed firms by the time the order was officially decommissioned by ] on 4 September 1944.
]


== Appearance ==
The medal itself was not worn on the combat tunic as per the 1st class ] and ] for example, but worn as a ribbon bar, or as the ribbon alone stitched through the second from top tunic buttonhole as per 2nd Class ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ww2awards.com/award/137|title=World War 2 Awards.com - Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)|publisher=}}</ref>
]
The Eastern Medal was designed by SS-'']'' Ernst Krause.{{sfn|Angolia|1987|p=69}} Measuring {{convert|3.6|cm|inch|1|abbr=on}} in diameter, of (generally) zinc construction, the medal was given a gun-metal coloured coating. The concave obverse side features a ] eagle grasping a ] with laurel behind. The reverse features the text in capital letters: "WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42" ("Winter Battle in the East 1941–42") featuring a crossed sword and branch below the text. A helmet and stick grenade below the medal loop as well as outer ring were finished in a polished silver effect.{{sfn|Angolia|1987|p=69}} The medal measures approximately 44mm by 36mm.


The ] featured a central white-black-white (white for snow, black for the fallen soldiers) stripe with red (for blood) either side. The medal and ribbon were presented in a paper packet with the name of the medal on the front and the maker name on the reverse.{{sfn|Angolia|1987|pp=70, 71}} Like the ] 2nd Class (EK II) 1939–45, the Eastern Medal's ribbon was worn either from the second buttonhole of the uniform tunic or on a ribbon bar. Where the two ribbons were worn together in the buttonhole, the EK II appeared in front of the Eastern Medal.{{sfn|Williamson|2002|p=34 and plate F2}} Over three million medals were issued and many more manufactured.
Years after the war ended, an alternative version of the medal was created which omits the swastika but is otherwise identical. Personnel who had earned the medal during the war and who were serving in the Bunderwehr could wear the alternative version with their military dress uniform.


While wear of Nazi era awards was initially banned in 1945, the Eastern Medal was among those re-authorised for wear by the ] in 1957. With Nazi symbols now forbidden, ] by removing the swastika, the eagle on the obverse now standing solely on a laurel branch.{{sfn|Littlejohn|Dodkins|1968|p=225}}
==Recipients==

* ]
== Notes ==
* ]
{{reflist|30em}}
* ]

== References ==
*{{cite book |last= Angolia |first= John |title= For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich |publisher= R. James Bender Publishing |year= 1987 |isbn= 0912138149 }}
*{{cite book |last= Beevor |first= Antony |title= ] |year= 2012 |publisher= Little, Brown |location= New York |isbn= 978-0-316-02374-0 }}
*{{cite book|last1= Littlejohn|first1= David|last2= Dodkins|first2 = Colonel C. M.|title = Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Third Reich |publisher= R. James Bender Publishing, California |year= 1968 |isbn = 978-0854200801 }}
*{{cite book |last= Williamson |first= Gordon |title= World War II German Battle Insignia |publisher= Osprey Publishing |year= 2002 |isbn= 1841763527 }}

==External links==
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* {{Commons category-inline}}
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==References==
{{commons category|Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42}}
{{Reflist}}
{{List of military decorations of the Third Reich |state=collapsed}} {{List of military decorations of the Third Reich |state=collapsed}}
{{Portal bar|Arts||Numismatics|Visual arts}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Eastern Medal}}
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Latest revision as of 18:53, 23 October 2024

German campaign medal

Award
Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal
Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (German)
Obverse and reverse of the medal
TypeCampaign medal
Awarded forService in the Soviet Union from 15 November 1941 to 15 April 1942
Country Germany
Presented bythe Führer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht
EligibilityWehrmacht and Waffen-SS personnel
Campaign(s)World War II – Russian Winter
Established26 May 1942
Last awarded4 September 1944
TotalOver 3 million
Ribbon bar
Precedence
Next (higher)War Merit Cross
Post war version without swastika

The Eastern Medal (German: Ostmedaille), officially the Winter Battle in the East 1941–42 Medal (German: Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42), was a military award of the Wehrmacht which was created by ordinance of Adolf Hitler on 26 May 1942.

The Eastern Medal was awarded to any member of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS who served on the German Eastern Front during the winter campaign, within the period from 15 November 1941 to 15 April 1942. It was also awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within the Soviet Union. It was wryly called the Frozen Meat Medal or the "Order of the Frozen Flesh" (German: Gefrierfleischorden).

Criteria

Wehrmacht personnel qualified for the Eastern Medal after a minimum of 14 days in active combat; 30 air combat sorties; 60 days continuous of service in a combat zone; being wounded or suffering a "frozen limb", severe enough to warrant the issue of a Wound Badge, and it could be awarded posthumously.

On 20 January 1943, official qualification for the Eastern Medal was extended to include both male and female combatant and non-combatant personnel in the Wehrmacht. Also, foreign members of Wehrmacht units; personnel killed or missing in action and civilians working under Wehrmacht control, including those involved in construction and road building. Geographic limits were placed on the award of east of Ukraine and Ostland or in the Finland area, east of the original 1940 Russo/Finnish border. The Eastern Medal was officially decommissioned by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (German: High Command of the Armed Forces) (OKW) on 4 September 1944.

Appearance

Issue packet

The Eastern Medal was designed by SS-Unterscharführer Ernst Krause. Measuring 3.6 cm (1.4 in) in diameter, of (generally) zinc construction, the medal was given a gun-metal coloured coating. The concave obverse side features a national socialist eagle grasping a swastika with laurel behind. The reverse features the text in capital letters: "WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941/42" ("Winter Battle in the East 1941–42") featuring a crossed sword and branch below the text. A helmet and stick grenade below the medal loop as well as outer ring were finished in a polished silver effect. The medal measures approximately 44mm by 36mm.

The Service ribbon featured a central white-black-white (white for snow, black for the fallen soldiers) stripe with red (for blood) either side. The medal and ribbon were presented in a paper packet with the name of the medal on the front and the maker name on the reverse. Like the Iron Cross 2nd Class (EK II) 1939–45, the Eastern Medal's ribbon was worn either from the second buttonhole of the uniform tunic or on a ribbon bar. Where the two ribbons were worn together in the buttonhole, the EK II appeared in front of the Eastern Medal. Over three million medals were issued and many more manufactured.

While wear of Nazi era awards was initially banned in 1945, the Eastern Medal was among those re-authorised for wear by the Federal Republic of Germany in 1957. With Nazi symbols now forbidden, the award was re-designed by removing the swastika, the eagle on the obverse now standing solely on a laurel branch.

Notes

  1. Littlejohn & Dodkins 1968, p. 129.
  2. ^ Angolia 1987, p. 69.
  3. Beevor 2012, p. 327.
  4. Angolia 1987, p. 70.
  5. Williamson 2002, p. 33.
  6. Angolia 1987, pp. 70, 71.
  7. Williamson 2002, p. 34 and plate F2.
  8. Littlejohn & Dodkins 1968, p. 225.

References

  • Angolia, John (1987). For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing. ISBN 0912138149.
  • Beevor, Antony (2012). The Second World War. New York: Little, Brown. ISBN 978-0-316-02374-0.
  • Littlejohn, David; Dodkins, Colonel C. M. (1968). Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Third Reich. R. James Bender Publishing, California. ISBN 978-0854200801.
  • Williamson, Gordon (2002). World War II German Battle Insignia. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1841763527.

External links

Orders, decorations, and medals of Nazi Germany
Decorations to all services
Wehrmacht / Waffen-SS
Luftwaffe
Kriegsmarine
‎Campaign Shields
‎Campaign Cuff Titles
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