Original German WWII Eastern Front Medal Grouping with Documents named to Obergefreiter Adolf Brodala Original Items

Original Items: One-of-a-kind grouping. This is a fantastic set, with two original German WWII combat awards, each with their original BESITTZZEUGNIS “possession/award” certificates, ribbons, and even their original paper packets! These were awarded to the same soldier, Adolf Brodala, who held the rank of Obergefreiter (Senior Exempted or Lance Corporal) on both documents. The award documents are dated 1942 and 1944.

The awards earned by this soldier in date received are the Medaille Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42 (Eastern Front Medal), and the Kriegsverdienstkreuz II. Klasse mit Schwertern (German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class with Swords). Both of the awards are in excellent near unissued condition, with their original ribbons and maker marked paper packets!

Both documents measure approximately, 8″ x 5.5″, (20cm x 14cm), and are printed on mid-weight paper with black print and typed in particulars. Both documents are dated, with their correct stamps and signatures.

The first document indicates that the Eastern Front Medal was awarded to Ogefr. Adolf Brodala on 1. September 1942, and does not mention a unit for him. It was signed by the Oberleutnant and Company Chief. The second document indicates that Brodala was awarded the War Merit Cross award in the field on 20. April. 1944. The document indicates that at this time he was in the Gren. Ers. Btl. 24, or the 24th Ersatz (Replacement) Grenadier Battalion. It is signed by the Generalleutnant & Division Commander.

Both documents are in good condition, with the expected wear and yellowing from age. They all show folding and light staining, as expected of documents of this age. Please consult the pictures for condition specifics.

A really nice German WWII award set, complete with the original documents named to the same soldier. Ready to display!

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.

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.

War Merit Cross 2nd Class (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) with Swords (for Combat)
This was a decoration of NSDAP Germany during the Second World War, which could be awarded to military personnel and civilians alike. By the end of the war it was issued in four degrees, and had a related civil decoration. It was created by Adolf AH in October 1939 as a successor to the non-combatant Iron Cross which was used in earlier wars. 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 “not in direct connection with combat”, and without swords for meritorious service to civilians in “furtherance of the war effort”. As with the Iron Cross, Recipients had to have the lower grade of the award before getting the next level.