Kampforden / Battle Order Medals

[Mike G.]

The next conceptual draft that followed was actually produced in a few examples, but never issued:

[Mike G.]

This is what that unissued prototype actually looked like:

Gold and Silver examples:

[Mike G.]

Finally,

I was able to determine there were four types of the Kampforden that were actually put into production, based upon the differing design characteristics apparent to the reverse of the medal.

They were:

Flat/smooth

Sandpaper

Swirled Pebbled

Geometric Pebbled

[ehrentitle]

Michael - Great stuff! I had completely overlooked the Prototype and Muster medals. I love these kind of threads that expand our collective knowledge base on a paticular medal. I'd seen the black and white photos and illustration from Feder's, Auszeichnungen der Nationalen Volksarmee der DDR before. But were did the color photo come from? Are these in your collection?

[ehrentitle]

I was looking at my copies of Volksarmee the NVA's weekly newpaper to see if there were any photos of presentations of the Kampforden streamer to units. I haven't run across any yet but I did find this interesting Obituary notice in the 3-89 issue which mentions that the individual was the recipient of the Kampforden, but does not specify the grade of the medal Here it is along with a rough translation in English:

In honored memory

Died in our arms after years of duty for the reliable protection of the socialist fatherland

Lieutenant Colonel Helmut Kühmstedt

Holder of the Battle Order for Merit to People and Fatherland

With him we lose one of the party of the working class' devoted comrades, with high operational readiness for the fulfillment of the military order.

We will preserve his cherished memory.

College of the Ministry of National Defense

[Mike G.]

Kevin,

The color examples are from the Bartel Band 1 DDR Spezialkatalog 1949-1990 publication. They can be found on page 20.

[ehrentitle]

Kevin,

The color examples are from the Bartel Band 1 DDR Spezialkatalog 1949-1990 publication. They can be found on page 20.

Thanks Michael, Ahhhh....the one medal reference I don't have. I do have the 1998/99 Spezialkatalog and it's interesting that in Bartel's valuation of this medal he gives less value for the non-flat/smooth variations of the Kamporden, I guess because they were later issues.

[ehrentitle]

Michael, Ralph and I can't be the only ones with Kampforen medals. So this is an open invitation for everyone here to post their photos of Kampforden medals, documents or flag streamers here. I'm sure there are more variations of the medals out there we have not seen.

So far I've noticed that the ring that attaches the medal to the ribbon is the same color as the medal, Gold for Gold, etc. And that there are dark and light variations of the ribbon color.

[Mike G.]

Kevin,

There is also a version with red stripes in the ribbon instead of the common brown stripes. These versions were to be given if the recipient was awarded the order under combat conditions. Don't know if any East Germans were actually awarded this version, but they were certainly produced, and there were a bunch of them found in the same bunker in Strausberg where the Bluecher Orders and Medals were uncovered.

[Ralph P]

Here is my last post...of a Kampforden being awarded to a organization.

[cabbell2207]

Thats a looker ralph

[ehrentitle]

Ralph, Thanks for sharing another fantastic medal from your collection! How rare is a Kampforden awarded to a Stasi individual or oganization? Ok, I know there must be other folks who have medals or medal related items they can post.

[paul heath]

Members,

I have a question about the medals in Post no. 13. How are they attached to that ribbon bar? I am stumped.

I have several medals and empty bars and I would love to put a few groupings togehter.

Paul Heath

[Ralph P]

Thanks much for your comments cabbell2207...

Thats a looker ralph

[Ralph P]

Hey Kevin - Awarding the Kampforden to MfS persons were rare, but they were not as rare as a MfS peson being awarded the Banner medal.

Ralph, Thanks for sharing another fantastic medal from your collection! How rare is a Kampforden awarded to a Stasi individual or oganization? Ok, I know there must be other folks who have medals or medal related items they can post.