M-339 Medaille Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42
(Medal for the Winter Campaign in Russia 1941/42)
Commonly referred to as the Russian Front Medal, or by the thousands
who stayed for subsequent winters as the “Frozen Flesh” medal. Criteria for
the award were as follows: Minimum of two weeks combat action; being wounded or
having a frozen limb for which a Wound Badge was awarded; or being in the combat
zone for a minimum of 60 days. The criteria changed on January 20, 1943 and the
medal was authorized for personnel of the military and civilians, foreign
volunteers in the Wehrmacht, administrative personnel, persons killed in action
or listed as missing, and civilians working in factories in the area. The medal
obverse features a Wehrmacht style eagle clutching a swastika superimposed over
a disc. The top of the disc has a Model 1916 style helmet and a potato masher
grenade. The reverse reads “Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42” and has a sword
over a laurel branch. The finish is completely missing from this example. There
is a section red ribbon (moderate discoloration) with a white/black/white stripe
down the center. A sound, representative example!
$75.00
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Item M-339