Western Front Medal

[Dez H]

Greetings all

I have often wondered why Germany during WWII never issued a Western Front Medal or various Anschluss Medals for the numerous Western countries that fell under her control. Your first reaction would be that the war was not concluded and so no medals were awarded. However a Russian Front Medal was awarded for the bitter fighting of ‘41/42, yet this campaign never finished. The West Wall medal was issued but this was only for troops and construction works that helped build and occupy the West Wall protecting Germany from her neighbours. Anyone have any ideas or comments?


Dez

[Graeme L]

I have also wondered about this, but with no real intention of researching. However, during a browse through Carsten Baldes site I found this award.

It is described as a victory medal 1939-1940 over France. It carries the inscription "Den Kämpfern für die Deutsche Freiheit".

Carsten says that this award was not issued but already manufactured. I assume this means that the award was never authorised for issue and not that this actual medal was not issued.

Does anyone else know more of this award?

Graeme

[Kevin Sienkiewicz]

Hi Ya's

Now that's the second one I've seen. I'd be very interested to hear what the story is. Fantasy? Unofficial??

Cheers and Roo
Kevin S

[George Stimson]

I have heard of this award, too. (I don't have my reference books here!) I've heard that it is a prototype that was never awarded.

George

[Newlyn]

2nd Design

Apparently there were two designs, the second one resembling a maltese cross with crossed swords & a superimpoesd eagle.

[Richard]

According to Klietmann pattern strikes of this medal were produced by the firm E. F. Wiedmann in Frankfurt am Main. The concept for a medal for the western campaign apparently originated about June of 1940. Examples were produced in oxydized iron and bronzed iron (although very few of the latter were produced). The ribbon for this medal was produced in a few meters length in a ribbon production facility in Munich. It was never authorized or awarded and never went beyond the stage of a pattern.
Richard V