German WWII West Wall Defense Award “Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen"-This is a very good example of this early version of this award. This has lost the majority of its finish. These examples are in good condition and do not have a ribbon! We have a few, and the one you received will be in as good if not better condition than the one pictured.
History: The West Wall Medal was instituted by Adolf Hitler in August of 1939 to recognize military personnel, including civilian employees, who assisted in the planning, construction or defense of German fortifications on the western border. The original bestowal of the West Wall Medals ceased as of January 1941. In October of 1944, bestowal of the West Wall Medal was re-instituted as over 200,000 personnel were assigned to strengthen the German fortifications in anticipation of the western allies’ break-through into Germany. The West Wall Medal was only issued in one class.