A thread about the Kampfgruppen

[Thälmannpionier]

hi all

Here are two pics of Kampfgruppe Leaders wearing there awards.

click on Kampfgruppe
www.fotos.web.de/opy80

[Mike G.]

Thalmannpioneer,

Great photos you posted. Many thanks.

[Roy Queen]

I've never seen this Kampfgruppen medal before. How common would this medal be to find on the market? It seems one could focus a DDR collection just on the KG!

Erinnerungsmedaille 20 Jahre Kampfgruppen der Arbeitklasse:
Kampfgruppen 20 year Celebration or Jubilee Medal:
Approved January 31, 1973 as an Anniversary Medal relevant the establishment of the Kampfgruppen in 1953. It was then awarded to all currently actively serving members of the Kampfgruppen, effective September of 1973. The medal is worn on the upper left side of the Tunic.

[Kozlov]

Actually, my DDR collection is just Kampfgruppen

Not sure how long the collection will take to complete, there's a fair amount of stuff but not that much!

I have seen a Erinnerungsmedaille 20 Jahre Kampfgruppen medal on ebay a few weeks ago... so they are around. Went for a couple of Euros

[Kozlov]

Correction!

There is one on there now:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...168748973&rd=1

[Roy Queen]

Thank you, sir!

Correction!

There is one on there now:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...168748973&rd=1

[Mike G.]

I've never seen this Kampfgruppen medal before. How common would this medal be to find on the market? It seems one could focus a DDR collection just on the KG!

Hi Roy,

This particular KG Medal is a bit of an anomoly. By appearance and quality, it is the nicest of all the KG Medals, and to my knowledge, the only one awarded in a nice presentation case, instead of the typical plastic case used for lesser medals.

However, this particular medal is in actuality, in order of precedence, the lowest. Go figure. Despite its appearance, it is in actuality, a "Jubilee" type of medal, given not for years of service, but in recognition of how many years the KG was in existence.

You'd think it would be as prevalent (even more so) as the NVA 30 year jubilee medal. But it appears not to be.

Also, though I can't find any documentation on this yet - there appears to be at least two separate strikings of this medal. The latter probably in the late 80s. The early ones are of a more dull finish and better looking relief. The other, the high luster appearance typical of later production medals with the more shallow relief.

[Roy Queen]

Hello Michael,
That is really odd that this medal is the lowest one on the KG totem pole. I will agree that it is the nicest one out of the KG medal series. As it's rarity goes, would have been possible that this medal was issued with different requirements rather than the NVA jubilee medals? Possibly awarded along with a longevity service medal?

Roy

Hi Roy,

This particular KG Medal is a bit of an anomoly. By appearance and quality, it is the nicest of all the KG Medals, and to my knowledge, the only one awarded in a nice presentation case, instead of the typical plastic case used for lesser medals.

However, this particular medal is in actuality, in order of precedence, the lowest. Go figure. Despite its appearance, it is in actuality, a "Jubilee" type of medal, given not for years of service, but in recognition of how many years the KG was in existence.

You'd think it would be as prevalent (even more so) as the NVA 30 year jubilee medal. But it appears not to be.

Also, though I can't find any documentation on this yet - there appears to be at least two separate strikings of this medal. The latter probably in the late 80s. The early ones are of a more dull finish and better looking relief. The other, the high luster appearance typical of later production medals with the more shallow relief.

[Mike G.]

Hello Michael,
That is really odd that this medal is the lowest one on the KG totem pole. I will agree that it is the nicest one out of the KG medal series. As it's rarity goes, would have been possible that this medal was issued with different requirements rather than the NVA jubilee medals? Possibly awarded along with a longevity service medal?

Roy

Quite possible. It is similar to, but not actually a jubilee medal. So your comment certainly has merit.

It would be nice if we could enlist the interest of a former KG on the Forum, to better shed light on their activities and the wearing of their awards and decorations.

[torstenbel]

Roy, this is the KG 20 years service medal that I mentioned in my PM to you...is this the one that you are looking for? it is gold.

[torstenbel]

Roy, this is the 25 year KG long service medal...

[Mike G.]

Torsten,

The medal in question is called: Erinnerungsmedaille 20 Jahre Kampfgruppen der Arbeitklasse.

It is silver in color and is suspended from a solid red ribbon. If you click on the link in Roy's post above, you can see a picture of it.

[torstenbel]

oops...got it wrong again/// don't have that one.... btw, when were the Kampfgruppen started? Was it 1956, like the NVA? Cheers, Torsten.

Torsten,

The medal in question is called: Erinnerungsmedaille 20 Jahre Kampfgruppen der Arbeitklasse.

It is silver in color and is suspended from a solid red ribbon. If you click on the link in Roy's post above, you can see a picture of it.

[Thälmannpionier]

oops...got it wrong again/// don't have that one.... btw, when were the Kampfgruppen started? Was it 1956, like the NVA? Cheers, Torsten.

hi

founded 1952/53

first appearance in public in may 1954 at the anually May Parade in Berlin...wearing blue overalls and red cufftitel with "Kampfgruppe"..
cheers

[Soviet]

Am I right to say this is a fake ? The guy just added a patch to this Army jacket.