This Memelland Medal belonged to my fathers uncle. He gave it to me in 1988. This was the only remaining item of his service career. He was a customs officer in East Prussia, early NSDAP Party member and member of the Allgemeine SS. In the War he served in the Waffen SS. He fought on the Eastern Front through out the war up until February 1945 when he was captured by the Russians. In 1953 he returned from Russia and joined again the German customs service.
When his wife had to flee from East Prussia she took along his complete black Allgemeine SS Uniform including medals and SS Degen. Sadly along the way she had to dispose because of security reasons the uniform, the medals, the Degen - it was not very safe to be captured by the Russians with a black SS uniform in your posession. The Memelland Medal she found later in another bag.
Long Story short, here is his Memelland Medal. As customs officer he new the border area to the Memelland and he was even sent before the occupation into Memelland in civilian clothing for gathering intelligence information in regards to the military operations.
When his wife had to flee from East Prussia she took along his complete black Allgemeine SS Uniform including medals and SS Degen. Sadly along the way she had to dispose because of security reasons the uniform, the medals, the Degen - it was not very safe to be captured by the Russians with a black SS uniform in your posession. The Memelland Medal she found later in another bag.
Long Story short, here is his Memelland Medal. As customs officer he new the border area to the Memelland and he was even sent before the occupation into Memelland in civilian clothing for gathering intelligence information in regards to the military operations.
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