The Wear of Ribbons and Medals

[John F.]

I saw a picture of a Wehrmacht soldier wearing a ribbon bar with the IC2 and Eastern Front Medal and noticed that he was wearing the same awards again in the second buttonhole of his tunic. Was this authorized? It would seem that it would be one or the other but not both. Also, when solders wore an IC2 or Eastern Front Medal from their buttonhole were the actual medals attached to the ribbon and tucked inside the tunic out of view?

Thanks.

John

[Rick Research]

Such "double dipping" often occurred when having photos taken, but you are correct: it was one or the other, NOT both...

same thing is often found with older officers who had a 1914/39 EK2 Spange, worn full size from the buttonhole--often no ribbon bar at all was worn in the field, so when they put one on, you'll often see a double mini Spange on there too.

No ribboned awards were worn after the award ceremony except on full parade dress. Sometimes when another Axis country gave an award, you'll see the German recipient wearing it often in photos, but that was just being polite at photo ops.