Eastern Medal
The Eastern Front Medal, Winterschlacht Im Osten, more commonly known as the Ostmedaille was instituted on May 26, 1942 to mark service on the German Eastern Front (World War II) during the period November 15th, 1941 to April 15th, 1942. It was commissioned to recognise the hardship endured by German and Axis Powers personnel, combatant or non-combatant, during the especially bitter Russian winter of '41/'42. The appalling conditions suffered by, mainly, German troops on this front soon led to the medal being nick-named the "Gefrierfleischorden" or Frozen Meat Order.
Qualification for the award was as follows:-
- 14 days served in active combat within the specified area between November 15th, 1941 - April 15th, 1942
- 60 days served in specified area between November 15th, 1941 - April 15th, 1942, non-combat
- Wounded in action
- Killed in action (posthumous award)
- Injury caused by frostbite (or another injury related to the climate) severe enough to warrant the issue of a Wound Badge
Unique in that its designer was a contemporary serving soldier, SS-Unterscharführer Ernst Krause, the medal was held in high regard by all branches of the Wehrmacht. Measuring 36mm in diameter, of (generally) zinc construction, the medal was given a gun-metal coloured coating. On one side an eagle grasps a Swastika and the reverse features the text "Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42" featuring a crossed sword and branch below the text. The helmet and outer ring were finished in a polished silver effect. A ribbon that accompanied the medal was coloured red , white and black (symbolic of blood, snow and death). The medal and ribbon were usually presented in a paper packet, but these were invariably discarded. Over 3 million were made by more than 26 confirmed firms by the time the order was officially decommissioned by Oberkommando der Wehrmacht on September 4th, 1944.
The medal itself was not worn on the combat tunic as per the 1st class Iron Cross & War Merit Cross for example, but worn as a ribbon bar, or as the ribbon alone stiched through the second from top tunic buttonhole as per 2nd Class Iron Cross and War Merit Cross.