{"product_id":"germany-third-reich-a-mixed-lot-of-awards-for-military-and-sports-merit-from-the-estate-of-a-major-in-soviet-captivity-m0718-7","title":"Germany, Third Reich. A Mixed Lot of Awards for Military and Sports Merit, from the Estate of a Major in Soviet Captivity","description":"\u003cp\u003e(\u003cem\u003eAuszeichnungen\u003c\/em\u003e). A mixed lot of awards, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1. An Eastern Front Medal, constructed of silvered and toned zink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, the obverse bearing a Heer-style German national eagle clutching a swastika, the reverse bearing an inscription of “WINTERSCHLACHT IM OSTEN 1941\/42” (“WINTER BATTLE IN THE EAST 1941\/42”), situated above a crossed sword and laurel branch, topped by a Stahlhelm and stick grenade, the suspension loop maker marked with Präsidialkanzlei code “93” for Richard Simm \u0026amp; Söhne, Gablonz, measuring 35.89 mm (w) x 43.95 mm (h), weighing 17.3 grams, accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of light brown paper stock, appropriately maker marked “RICHARD SIMM \u0026amp; SÖHNE, GABLONZ\/NEIßE”, measuring 58 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), accompanied by an extra length of ribbon, in better than very fine condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e2. An Air Defence Honour Decoration, II Class Medal, constructed of silvered feinzink, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a circular oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, the obverse bearing a mobile swastika circumscribed by an inscription of “FÜR VERDIENSTE IM LUFTSCHUTZ” (“FOR MERIT IN AIR DEFENCE”), the reverse bearing an institution date of “1939”, accompanied by its original package of issue, constructed of light brown paper stock, the exterior maker marked “FOERSTER \u0026amp; BARTH, PFORZHEIM”, measuring 58 mm (w) x 105 mm (h), in extremely fine condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e3. A DRL Sports Badge, Bronze Grade, constructed of bronzed magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of an oval oak leaf wreath, joined together at the bottom by a ribbon defaced by a swastika, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flattened catch, maker marked “WERNSTEIN, JENA” for the firm of Hermann Wernstein, measuring 38.62 mm (w) x 48.25 mm (h), weighing 177 grams, in extremely fine condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e4. A DSB Sports Badge, Bronze Grade, cloth version, constructed of black rayon with golden-brown machine embroidery, unmarked, measuring 50 mm (w) x 65 mm (h), in mint condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFootnote: The accompanying awards are offered as part of the estate of a highly-decorated Heer Officer who served throughout the duration of the Second World War. Assigned to a variety of artillery units, including 10. Batterie, Artillerie-Regiment 169 (1939), 12. Batterie\/11. Batterie, Artillery-Regiment 206 (1940-1944), and Stabs-Batterie, III. Abteilung, Artillerie-Regiment 129 (1944), the recipient attained the rank of Major and saw service during the Battle of France (1940), followed by extensive combat operations on the Eastern Front, where he participated in Operation Typhoon from 1941 until 1942 (including the Battle of Moscow), Operation Mars (Rzhev region, late 1942), and in defensive operations during the Red Army’s offensive as part of Operation Bagration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNotably, the recipient was among a number of German servicemen who escaped the advance of the Red Army aboard a boat in the Baltic Sea, eventually reaching neutral Sweden, where he was interned from 10 May-14 December 1945. Diplomatic pressure from Moscow resulted in approximately 3,000 of these internees being transferred to Soviet custody, with the recipient among them. Arriving in Libau (now Liepāja, Latvia) on 15 December, he was later transferred around various Soviet prisoner of war (POW) camps, and is registered as having been held in Camp 277 in Salaspils from 9 February until 12 June 1946, Camp 350 in Riga from 13 June until 18 November 1946, Camp 266 in Mitau (now Jelgava, Latvia) from 19 November 1944 until 6 December 1947, Camp 7064 in Morshansk (near Moscow), Camp 7185 in Mikhaylovka (Volgograd region) from 7 December 1947 until 17 November 1949. His inmate records indicate that he was married with two children and was released from custody in late 1949, arriving back in Germany the following year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAppropriately reflecting a storied military career which spanned the entirety of the Second World War, followed by internment in harsh conditions, the Officer was the recipient of a wide array of service and merit awards. While the pinnacle of these decorations was the German Cross in Gold, which he received on 8 November 1944, this historically-significant estate reflects a decade-long career of service and sacrifice.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50146529345813,"sku":"M0718-7","price":100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/eMedals_M0718-7_3.jpg?v=1789499904","url":"https:\/\/www.emedals.com\/products\/germany-third-reich-a-mixed-lot-of-awards-for-military-and-sports-merit-from-the-estate-of-a-major-in-soviet-captivity-m0718-7","provider":"eMedals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}