Service in Russia

[Westmark]

Is there an award that recognizes a soldiers service in Russia, when their service came after the initial issue of the Ost medal. I know the Ost medal was for service up to April of 1942, this particular soldier went to Russia in Sept/Oct 1942. Thank you for any help.
Best regards,
Todd

[Chris Taylor]

I believe they were still issued the Ost medal.

Any service on the Eastern Front after 1942 would have garnished this award.

[Westmark]

Chris,
Thank you for that information , it just seemed unclear to me the time frame in which these were awarded.
Best regards,
Todd

[Westmark]

I believe they were still issued the Ost medal.

Any service on the Eastern Front after 1942 would have garnished this award.

Would this be the general consensus? Any other opinions? Thanks again.
Best regards,
Todd

[speedytop]

Hi Todd,

the time frame for the combat mission is:

15. November 1941 - 15. April 1942

It could be awarded later, the end is in October 1944, but only for combat mission in the time frame, not after 15. April 1942.


The complete and correct name is:

Medaille "Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42" (Ostmedaille)

- 1941/1942 -

Regards
Uwe

[Westmark]

Speedytop,
Thank you. Was there another award for a soldier that served in Russia after that time frame or was this not recognized? Thanks again.
Best regards,
Todd

[James Clark]

Speedytop,
Thank you. Was there another award for a soldier that served in Russia after that time frame or was this not recognized? Thanks again.
Best regards,
Todd

The timeframe of 15.11.1941-15.4.1942 for the Ostmedaille is correct. But the award was for serving in the relevant area during this time. It was not restricted to those in a combat role. Some discretion was allowed with regard to the area of operations in which a soldier had to serve, but the timeframe was firmly set.
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In addition to this, depending on where and when a soldier served on the Eastern Front he might have received one or more of the following:<O</O
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Cholmschild - for service in the relevant area between <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:date Year="1942" Day="21" Month="1">21 January 1942</st1:date> and <st1:date Year="1942" Day="5" Month="5">5 May 1942</st1:date>
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Krimschild - for service in the relevant area between <st1:date Year="1941" Day="21" Month="9">21 September 1941</st1:date> and <st1:date Year="1942" Day="4" Month="7">4 July 1942</st1:date><O</O
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Demjanskschild - instituted in April 1943 for participation in the defence of Demjansk. The timeframe is not specified but would logically have been from early February when the encirclement began until late April when contact with other German forces was restored.<O</O
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Kubanschild - instituted on <st1:date Year="1943" Day="20" Month="9">20 September 1943</st1:date> for service in the relevant area since <st1:date Year="1943" Day="1" Month="2">1 February 1943</st1:date><O</O
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Kurland armband - appears to have been intended to recognise service in the Kurland area from September 1944<O</O
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Most of theses awards had different qualifying criteria in addition to simply being there at the right time. There were undoubtedly many German soldiers who served on the Eastern Front without receiving any awards.
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[Westmark]

James,
Excellent informtion. Yet another reason I love this site, everyone is so helpful. This goes a long way in helping research my wife's grandfather. Again thanks.
Best regards,
Todd