Medals from Germany from the Interwar Period
German Military Medals & Awards of the Weimar Republic (1919 to 1933)
During the interwar period, Germany awarded medals and decorations, although the nature and context of these awards evolved significantly with the rise of the Nazi regime in 1933. The Weimar Republic generally distanced itself from the extensive system of imperial honors and focused more on civil and public service awards. However, it did not create many new medals, and much of the awards system remained dormant or was streamlined compared to the pre-war period.
On this page you will find all military and campaign medals, orders of knighthood, awards, and decorations of Germany given during both the Weimar Republic (1918-1933) and the broader interwar period (1919 to 1939). IMPORTANT: If you’re looking for Third Reich (Nazi Germany) medals, please follow this link(many of the medals you will see here are also categorized as part of “WW2” medals and awards).
Political Decorations and Awards
of the Nazi Party
The Nazi Party utilized a range of political decorations and awards to recognize loyalty, service, and achievements aligned with its ideology. These decorations served as tools for propaganda, reinforcing the party’s control.
The Brunswick Rally Badge
The Brunswick Rally Badge was established in 1936 and was the third badge to be recognized as a national award by the Nazi Party (NSDAP).
The Blood Order or Blutorden
The Blood Order or Blutorden was a highly prestigious Nazi Party decoration established by Adolf Hitler in March 1934.
The SS Membership Runes for Order Police
The SS Membership Runes for Order Police was a badge worn by members of the Ordnungspolizei who were also full members of the SS.
The SS Long Service Award (12 Years of Service)
The SS Long Service Awards were given to SS members in grades of four, eight, twelve, and twenty-five years of service.
The SS Chevron for Former Police and Military
The SS Chevron for Former Police and Military was a service badge awarded to members of the Nazi Party Schutzstaffel (SS) for service.
Decorations of the Hitler Youth
The Hitler Youth also had its own set of decorations to reward loyalty, service, and achievement among its members. These decorations reinforced the group’s values and served as symbols of allegiance to the Nazi regime.
The Hitler Youth Proficiency Badge
The Hitler Youth Proficiency Badge was established to recognize members for proficiency in athletics, field craft, and political knowledge.
The Hitler Youth Shooting Badge
The Hitler Youth Shooting Badge was awarded in three grades to recognize proficiency in marksmanship within the Hitler Youth.
The Hitler Youth Leader’s Sports Badge
The Hitler Youth Leader’s Sports Badge was designed to recognize those in the Hitler Youth and Jungvolk who excelled in an annual fitness test.
The Hitler Youth Badge for Distinguished Foreigners
The Hitler Youth Badge for Distinguished Foreigners was a special honor authorized in 1941 and specifically designed for non-German citizens.
The Hitler Youth Badge
The Hitler Youth Badge was a political award in Nazi Germany, given for various levels of service to the Hitler Youth (Hitler Jugend).
All Interwar German Medals
During the interwar period, between World War I and World War II, Germany experienced significant political and social changes that influenced its system of honors and decorations. The Weimar Republic, established after the fall of the German Empire in 1918, saw the discontinuation of many imperial awards, but some new medals and orders were introduced during this period.
The German Knight’s Cross Freikorps Detachment Von Randow
The German Knight’s Cross Freikorps Detachment Von Randow (or Randow Cross) was created by Captain Alfred von Randow in March 1919.
The Naval Artillery War Badge
The Naval Artillery War Badge was a World War II decoration awarded to the crews of land-based marine artillery and anti-aircraft units.
The Spanish Cross (Nazi Germany)
The Spanish Cross was a military decoration awarded by Nazi Germany to members of the German Condor Legion in the Spanish Civil War.
The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross
The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest grade Nazi decoration above the various classes of the Knight’s Cross.
The Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross
The Knights Cross of the War Merit Cross was a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded during World War II created by Adolf Hitler.
The Knight’s Cross Of The War Merit Cross In Gold
The Knight’s Cross Of The War Merit Cross In Gold is a rare Third Reich variation of the War Merit Cross suggested by Albert Speer in 1944.
The Commemorative Medal for Rescue from Danger 1925-1933
The Commemorative Medal for Rescue from Danger 1925-1933 was instituted on 9 June 1925 for rescue from danger at the peril of rescuer’s life.
The German Social Welfare Decoration
The Social Welfare Decoration was created by Adolf Hitler as a civil award for services in the social sector.
The German Red Cross Decoration
The German Red Cross Decoration (or “Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes” in German) is a decoration founded in 1922.
The U-boat War Badge (Nazi Germany)
The U-boat War Badge (or U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen) was a German war badge that was awarded to U-boat (submarine) crew members in WW2.
The Eastern Front Medal Winterschlacht im Osten
The Eastern Front Medal was a World War II German military decoration awarded to those who served during the winter campaign.
The War Merit Cross (With Swords)
The War Merit Cross was a decoration of Nazi Germany during the Second World War awarded to military personnel and civilians.
The War Merit Cross (Without Swords)
The War Merit Cross was a decoration of Nazi Germany during the Second World War awarded to military personnel and civilians.
The Memel Medal
The Return of Memel Commemorative Medal is a decoration of Nazi Germany awarded during the interwar period, and the last of a series.
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Nazi)
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire.
The Wehrmacht Long Service Award
The Wehrmacht Long Service Award is a military service decoration of Nazi Germany issued for satisfactory completion of years in service.
The Sudetenland Medal
The commonly known Sudetenland Medal was a decoration of Nazi Germany established in 1938 and awarded for the occupationsof Sudetenland.
The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (EK 1939)
The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military and paramilitary award for the forces of Nazi Germany during World War II.
The West Wall Medal
The West Wall Medal was a decoration of Nazi Germany given to those who designed and built the fortifications on Germany’s western borders.
The Order of the German Eagle
The Order of the German Eagle, instituted by Hitler in 1937, was predominantly given to foreign diplomats during the German Nazi regime.
The German Cross (Nazi-Germany)
The German Cross (Deutsches Kreuz) was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941 and awarded in gold and silver.
The Anschluss Commemorative Medal
The Anschluss Commemorative Medal was a decoration of Nazi Germany instituted on 1 May 1938 and awarded during the interwar period.
