Ostvolk medals question

[Humberto Corado]

Hello,


I am wondering why the Ostvolk medals didnt had a swastika? what means the symbol that they have in the center? any one knows about it?

thanks in advance!!

[Darrell]

Hello,


I am wondering why the Ostvolk medals didnt had a swastika? what means the symbol that they have in the center? any one knows about it?

thanks in advance!!

Hi Humberto,

Here are 3 scans from "German World War 2 Medals & Political Awards" that describe the badges the best I've seen:

[Darrell]

2:

[Darrell]

3:

[John F.]

Hola Humburto;

The swastika is is a holy symbol in some religions. So I would guess that since most of the people from the east were not of the same faith that they would have had an issues wearing a decoration bearing a holy symbol not of thier religion. Or it could have been as simple as the fact that they did not want anyone who was not of Aryan blood wearing the swaz.

John

[Robin Lumsden]

In basic terms, most of the ostvolk were either Russians or Moslem Turkomen.

The flower in the middle of the award is a sunflower, a traditional emblem of Russia, esp. the Ukraine.

The star is a Moslem emblem, as is the green colour of the ribbon.

That's why the Osttuerkischer sleeveband of the SS was also green.

[Darrell]

I noticed in the above publication it rates these medals as "Scarce". You don't see them every day .. but I would tend to disagree that they are all that scarce?

[pionier]

I often see those medals. Don't think the are hard to find.

As far as I know, only maker no. 100 excisted. Is that correct? Anyone saw other makers?

[Darrell]

I have only seen two reverse setups for these badges:

This one that is mm "100" under the pin:

[Darrell]

And this tyoe which is always unmarked. Can't say they are different makers, but are different setups for sure:

[Humberto Corado]

thank you all for your help!

Darrell, do you know why any German army member was awarded with Ostvolk award instead the German awards? I mean why would a German soldier receive the Ostvolk medal II class instead the EKII?

[Darrell]

thank you all for your help!

Darrell, do you know why any German army member was awarded with Ostvolk award instead the German awards? I mean why would a German soldier receive the Ostvolk medal II class instead the EKII?

Humberto, read the above text from the book. From Nov 1942 onward a German soldier was eligible for an Ostvolk 2nd Class only if he had already won the EK2. Likewise an Ostvolk 1st Class version ONLY after he had won the EK1.

[MIKE12550]

Great thread guys! This award is not talked about much, but IMO is a super looking award! I have learned something from this! Mike

[Darrell]

Here is an example I have. Cased 1st Class in Gold with Swords. It is the "unmarked" type. Very unusual to find these badges with much finish left on them. As a side note they were all made of zinc.

[Darrell]

.