Dutch SS medal ?

[ROBB]

Is this a Dutch SS medal and if it is what is it fotr thankyou Bob

[ROBB]

Front

[martin3]

This is the WA-Oudstrijders medaille.
The front shows a Wolfsangel and a wreath.
(Oh, I was to soon, you placed the front side pic just now.)
As you may know: the WA was the Dutch equivalent of the German SA.

Don't know exactly how to translate 'oudstrijders' but I guess you'll know what I mean by old-combatants.
Maybe even veterans, but ofcourse active WA members could also get it.
Don't know the exact requirements, but WA membership between 1932-1935 was obvious.

I only think the ribbon isn't correct and should have a smaller stripe, but I will check that out at home.
It can be my memory is playing tricks.

For your information: I think I can say: this medal is extremely rare!

[ROBB]

Hi Martin I have sent you a pm ,Rob.

[Kuifje69]

Hi Rob,

Martin says it all

This medal was awarded on January 10, 1943 in Utrecht to members of the WA who were a member of the WA in the period January 7, 1933 until December 31, 1935 (at that date the WA was abolished (forbidden by the government)) but continuing to be a member of the NSB.

Ps this medal had nothing to do with (Dutch) SS

Best regards,

Rene

[martin3]

By the way: the ribbon looks also good!
I was fooled by my medal: a fold and some sun weathering made it look different, but I guess they once were the same:

[Stahlhelm]

Very interesting...That's the first of these medals I've ever seen. Now, I'm also curious about a few things:

1. How common (or perhaps, how rare) are they?

2. Was this Dutch SA equivalent a totally seperate Dutch organization only equivalent, in their goals, purposes, functions, etc., with no real links to the German SA?

3. Or, were they somehow directly linked to the German SA? Perhaps they were an official Germanic division of the German SA?

Since this is something I haven't yet read about in any books, I figure someone here might know more than I could find elsewhere.

Chris

[martin3]

The medal can be found in Foreign Legions of the Third Reich Vol 2, page 169.
As I said Chris, it is rare and I think I can write rare in capitals.

In July 1935 it was stated by an NSB official the WA counted 1200 trained members.
So maybe I dare to make a very carefull estimate that there can be are around 1500 of these medals?

So let me use the opportunity to say I'm in for a trade: my WA medal for a cased Knight's Cross!*
Remember: this medal is many times more rare than the KC and is not reproduced up till now.
I guess this will change within a few days...

* Come to think of it: make it a KC with Oakleves!

[NickG]

The pre-war dates

The pre-war dates on the reverse are a dead-give-away that its an artifact that has nothing to do with the Dutch SS eventhough it was issued during the war and the Dutch SS did adopt the WA wolfs hook symbol afterwards!
Neat and rare Dutch fascist war time issued( pre-war commemorative) service medal! Congrats! Nick

[Stahlhelm]

martin3:

Thanks for the info on the book with reference information! I'll certainly look for that one.

Chris

[ROBB]

Thankyou for your help guys its much appreciated I always like to learn something new ,looks like I will have to get a copy of Foreign Legions of the Third Reich. I found a photo of the medal being awarded whilst searching for info on the medal but now I cant find it if you know where it is let me know ,cheers Rob

[ROBB]

I found it on The Blitzkrieg forum .Rob

[Stahlhelm]

There's not much better than having a photo of an award you have being award--especially when it's a rare award! Great photo!

Chris

[Jan Holland]

the document

[Stahlhelm]

ROBB:

Wow! Now, you really need to have an award document, like the one Jan just posted. That would really complete the look in a display.

This thread sure is turning up a lot more information about this rare award than ever I would have imagined.

Chris