1940-41 Wehrmacht Russian Front Medal (G)
Price: $60
BUY / RESERVE THIS ITEMDescription: Die struck, zinc construction, medal with a silver washed outer rim and helmet, and a blued center. The obverse of the medal features a recessed outer rim with an embossed helmet and stick grenade to the top center and a high relief Wehrmacht style national eagle with down swept wings, clutching a static swastika in its talons which is superimposed on a laurel leaf sprig to the center. The reverse of the medal features a recessed outer rim with a smooth background field with embossed Latin script to the center, “Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42”, (Winter Battle in the East 1941/42), above a crossed sword and laurel leaf sprig. The medal loop and the ribbon suspension ring are both intact. The cross comes complete with a large 150mm piece of original ribbed rayon ribbon.
Background: The Russian Front Medal was instituted by A.H. May 1942 to commemorate the first winter campaign in Russia. The award was available to all Wehrmacht personnel, civilians and foreign volunteers who met the required criteria with the main qualification being at least fourteen days of participation in combat on the Russian front between November 1941 and April 1942 within preset geographical boundaries. The award was designed by SS Scharführer Ernst Krause and was officially designated as Medaille Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42, (Medal {for} Winter Battle in the East 1941/42), but was commonly referred to as the “Frozen Meat Medal”. OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), regulations of September 1944 discontinued the Russian Front Medal with the last award being bestowed in October 1944. Of Note: Generally the Russian Front Medal was only worn on the day of bestowal or on a medal bar for dress or ceremonial occasions resulting in half a section the ribbon being worn on a day to day basis sewn to the field blouse
