Zivilverteidigung Medals

[Katze Felix]

After searching for an extended period of time at various listings it appears that there are very few of the Zivilverteidigung Long Service Medals
up for offer. Of course I am refering to the 20, 15, 10 and 5 year medals that have the same ribbon color scheme as those for the NVA and Grenztruppen.
These medals have a high catalog value yet even at these listed values are
more than elusive.
Are there any members who have any of these? Is there a solid reason as to why they are so hard to find - considering the Grenztruppen examples seem to be - almost - everywhere to be had? Considering that the ZV would have been a smaller organization than the VOPO, NVA, GT, but also taking into account that number(s) of items produced in the case of DDR material seems to not
equate with the number of items required - is there an explanation?

If any members have an example of any of these Long Service Medals, please post them.

[ehrentitle]

A very good question. My experience is that they are very hard to come by. That's probably because the Hauptverwaltung Zivilverteidigung (HVZV) (Civil Defense Main Administration) was not established until 1978. It was a relatively small organization so I imagine not many long service medals were given out between 1978-1990, just 13 years.

Ironically Verdienstmedaille der Zivilverteidigung appear to be plentyful. I remember seeing a bin full of them in a Flea Market in Berlin a couple of years ago.

[Kartofelpreußer]

If I had to guess, I suppose it's that they were actually made in realistic quantities for a change.

You do see them up for sale on Ebay every now and then, but they're usually started quite high and the price has always exceeded my interest.

[Katze Felix]

ET + KP

Thanks for the comments and observations

[Mike G.]

Katze Felix,

The medals are in fact rare.

They apparently were produced for wear by NVA officers, NCOs and Other Ranks serving in and over Civil Defense Units. They were the ones wearing the NVA uniforms with "Purple" piping. They comprised a very small body of men in ranks, and consequently these medals were struck in very small numbers.

They are hard to get, and you most probably will have to search German Ebay vigorously if you by chance hope to acquire them. Be prepared to pay a substantial amount, as they sell for far more than their Grenz and NVA counterparts.

The 20 year medal is virtually impossible to find. At one time I actually thought it might not have been produced at all. But research disclosed it had, and I actually found a collector that had one. He would not sell it for any amount offered.

Here is an associated thread. Go to Post #5.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...=Civil+Defense

[Mike G.]

Also,

Here is another excellant thread by Kevin:

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=260430

[Katze Felix]

Michael,


Thanks for posting the links and for the information

KF

[redjames2004]

DDR Civil Defense medal with purple ribbon

I already have a DDR Zivilverteidigung medal with purple ribbon with white stripe and its companion ribbon bar in its original plastic case. This medal have "Fur Treue Pflichterfullung". I do not know what is this wording in German. I will take picture of this ususal DDR Civil Defense medal tonite. This partiucular medal came in a large DDR medal grouping that once belonged to a DDR Volkspolizei Prison system policewoman that I acquired via British eBay 8 years ago. James

[Mike G.]

James,

the medal about which you are making reference is not a Treue Dienst Civil Defense medal.

As this particular thread is focused on the Treue Dienst medal of the Civil Defense, I would encourage you to post your medal, but ask that you initiate a separate thread.

If you like, you can entitle the thread - Civil Defense medals - if you have them post them. Something like that. Then perhaps members can post their various different civil defense medals and we can also see and view your medal.

I would like to keep this particular thread focused on the original post that started it.

Thanks for your understanding.

[redjames2004]

Thank you,Micheal!

I will go ahead to post my Civil Defense medal which is not a Treue Dienst medal and make new thread about DDR Civil Defense medals later today. I will take the pictures of my DDR Civil Defense medal with purple ribbon with white stripe in its center for you and fellow DDR collectors to view and post their DDR Civil Defense medals in this new thread. Thanks, James