#356 Available
Eastern Front Medal & Ribbon "Umarked"
Category:
€ 45,00
“Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42” Medal (Eastern Front Medal)
The Eastern Front Medal, officially titled “Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42”, was instituted on May 26, 1942, by the German Wehrmacht to honor military personnel who participated in the first winter campaign on the Eastern Front during Operation Barbarossa (from November 15, 1941 to April 15, 1942).
This medal was awarded to:
Soldiers who served on the Eastern Front for 14+ days in combat, or 60+ days in support roles. Those who were wounded or frostbitten in the line of duty during the campaign.
The harsh winter conditions and brutal combat of the Soviet front made this campaign one of the most punishing in modern warfare, and the medal became known colloquially as the “Frozen Meat Medal” (“Gefrierfleischorden”) among soldiers.
Design Details:
- Obverse: A German eagle clutching a swastika over a crossed sword and laurel branch, symbolizing military struggle and victory.
- Reverse: Inscription: “Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42” (Winter Battle in the East 1941/42) with a sword and branch beneath it.
- Material: Zinc core with a silver wash finish (most show wear due to poor adhesion of the finish).
- Ribbon: Red with white-black-white stripes symbolizing blood, snow, and the Wehrmacht.