Original German WWII Eastern Front Medal with Named Award Document & Ribbon – 343rd Infantry Regiment Original Items

Original Items: One-of-a-kind. The Eastern Front Medal (German: Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42) was a World War II German military decoration awarded to both German and Axis personnel. It was awarded to those who served on the German Eastern Front during the winter campaign period of 15 November 1941 to 15 April 1942. It was instituted on 26 May 1942 and was commonly known as the Ostmedaille (East Medal) or Russian Front Medal.

The medal was wryly called the Frozen Meat Medal or the “Order of the Frozen Flesh” (German: Gefrierfleischorden) by Heer, Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS personnel to whom it was awarded.

This nice example is in very good condition, with a lovely oxidized patina, and is marked with Präsidialkanzlei des Führers Lieferant (Presidential Chancellery Supplier) number 19 on ring, which represents the maker E. Ferdinand Wiedmann of Frankfurt, Germany. It still has the original ribbon with it, properly threaded through the hanger ring, which does not look to have been shortened. There is however a bit of adhesive residue on the reverse, where it was taped at one point to a displayboard. Also included with the medal is the original besittzzeugnis “possession/award” certificate!

The award document indicates that it was awarded to Schützen Johann Korhammer on 10. August 1942. Schützen (Rifleman) was the lowest enlisted rank in Infantry Units until October 1942, when the Infantry regiments were renamed as Grenadier regiments, after which the lowest rank was Grenadier. Korhammer is listed as being part of the 12. / Inf. Rgt. 343, short for 12. Kompanie / Infanterie Regiment 343. This unit was part of the Wehrmacht 183rd Infantry Division, which took part in the invasion of the USSR, fighting near Smolensk and Moscow. It was initially part of the XX. Armeekorps, but looks to have moved to the XIII Armeekorps. The document has the stamp of the Stellv. Generalkommando XIII A. K. (Deputy General Command XIII Army Corps), and is sighed by a Major.

The document has all the correct stamps and markings, and measures about 7 7/8″ x 5 7/16″, (20cm x 14cm), printed on heavy-weight paper with black print and typed in particulars. It is in very good condition, showing minor age toning, and was folded in half at one point. It has a piece of tape on the back that was used to attach it to a backing for display at one point.

Overall a very nice set from Germany’s WWII Eastern Front, ready to research and display!

Qualification
Armed service personnel qualified for the badge after a minimum of 14 days served in active combat; 30 combat sorties for Luftwaffe members; 60 days of continuous service in a combat zone; being wounded or suffering a “frozen limb”, severe enough to warrant the issue of a Wound Badge. The medal could be awarded posthumously.

On 20 January 1943, the qualifications for the award changed to include both combatant and non-combatant personnel (including females) in the Wehrmacht. Also, foreign members of Wehrmacht units; personnel killed or missing in action and civilians working in area factories.

Geographic limits were placed on its award of east of Ukraine and Ostland or in the Finland area, east of the original 1940 Russo/Finnish border. It was officially decommissioned by Oberkommando der Wehrmacht on 4 September 1944.

Description
The design of the medal approved for the award was from a contemporary serving soldier, SS-Unterscharführer Ernst Krauit Measuring 3.6 cm (1.4 in) in diameter, of (generally) zinc construction, the medal was given a gun-metal colored coating. The concave obverse side features a national socialist eagle grasping a swas 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.

A ribbon that accompanied the medal 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. The medal was officially decommissioned by Oberkommando der Wehrmacht on 4 September 1944.

Like the Iron Cross Second Class (EK2), the medal’s ribbon was to be worn on the second buttonhole of the uniform tunic. As the war progressed, millons of soldiers received the EK2 and those who had received both awards wore the EK2 ribbon in preference to that of the Eastern Front Medal.