German Medals from WW2 Nazi Germany
Third Reich and Second World War Badges, Medals & Awards
Nazi Germany or Third Reich is the common name for Germany between 1933 and 1945, when Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) controlled the country through a dictatorship. The official name of the state was Deutsches Reich until 1943 and Großdeutsches Reich from 1943 to 1945. Third Reich means “Third Realm” or “Third Empire”, the first two being the Holy Roman Empire (800–1806) and the German Empire (1871–1918).
The Nazi regime dominated neighbors through military threats and increasingly aggressive territorial demands in the years leading up to war. The regime ended after the Allies defeated Germany in May 1945, ending World War II in Europe. The Third Reich also issued a range of medals and decorations to recognize various aspects of military and civilian service. You can explore all of them below.
Popular Third Reich Medals, Orders & Decorations
During World War II, the Third Reich established numerous medals, orders, and decorations to recognize military and civil achievements. These awards were integral to Nazi propaganda and the regime’s efforts to promote its ideology and reward loyalty. The most renowned medals, orders, and decorations include:
The Panzer Badge or Tank Battle Badge (Nazi Germany)
The Panzer Badge (or Panzerkampfabzeichen) was a World War II military decoration of Nazi Germany awarded to troops in armored divisions.
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 Coburg Badge
The Coburg Badge (Das Coburger Abzeichen in German) was the first badge recognized as a national award of the Nazi Party or NSDAP.
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 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.
Political Decorations and Awards of the Nazi Party & Hitler Youth
Political decorations and awards of the Nazi Party (NSDAP), including those for the Hitler Youth, were created to recognize service, loyalty, and achievement within the organization. These awards ranged from long service medals to proficiency badges, each symbolizing the recipient’s dedication and contributions to Nazi ideology.
The SS Long Service Award (8 Years of Service)
The SS Long Service Award (8 Years) was given as an acknowledgment for faithful and true services of German SS members.
The Schalburg Cross
The Schalburg Cross was a military decoration for members of the Danish Schalburg Corps during World War II.
The Danzig Cross
The Danzig Cross or Danziger Kreuz was a Nazi decoration established in the Free City of Danzig prior to its incorporation into Germany.
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).
The Coburg Badge
The Coburg Badge (Das Coburger Abzeichen in German) was the first badge recognized as a national award of the Nazi Party or NSDAP.
All The Third Reich/Nazi
Medals and Decorations
The military decorations of the Third Reich were bestowed by the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazy Germany – which consisted of the Heer (army), the Kriegsmarine (navy) and the Luftwaffe (air force) – from 1935 to 1945. Military decorations included Senior military leadership decorations, Military valor decorations, Meritorious military decorations, Military service decorations, and Military service medals. There were also Wound badges, Arm Shields and Cuffbands, Military Service Badges, and Foreign Division Awards.
The SS Edelweiss Cap Badge
The SS Edelweiss Cap Badge was an award given by the Third Reich regime to Waffen-SS Mountain Troops serving in Norway.
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 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 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.
Third Reich Military Service Badges
Military Service Badges were given to members of the Army/Waffen-SS, Naval/Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe and worn on the lower part of the left breast pocket of the naval service tunic, underneath the 1st class Iron Cross if awarded, or equivalent grade.
You can see the entire list of Third Reich Military Service Badges And What They Mean here.
Third Reich Shields and Cuffbands
Campaign shields or Campaign Arm Shields (Ärmelschild in German) were badges of differing design awarded to members of the German Wehrmacht. They were given for participation in specific battles or campaigns during World War II. The shields were worn on the left upper arm of the uniform jacket, with the earlier above the later ones.
You can see the entire list of Third Reich Campaign Shields or Ärmelschilde here.
Find Third Reich Medals Online
Imperial Germany Medals
In the period leading up to World War I, the German Empire had a rich tradition of awarding medals and decorations to recognize military and civil achievements. The system of honors included a variety of orders, each with multiple classes, designed to honor bravery, service, and merit.
German Medals from the WW1 Period
During World War I, Germany continued its tradition of awarding medals and decorations to recognize the bravery, leadership, and service of its military personnel. Among the most prestigious awards was the Iron Cross, re-instituted by Kaiser Wilhelm II, which came in multiple classes
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Further Reading About German Medals and WW2
Explore books that delve into the rich history and significance of German (and Third Reich / Nazi) military medals and decorations and discover stories of valor, sacrifice, and bravery that have shaped the legacy of these esteemed awards.
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Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich
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Aftermath: Life in the Fallout of the Third Reich, 1945-1955
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German Insignia of World War II
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D DAY Through German Eyes – The Hidden Story of June 6th 1944
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The German War: A Nation Under Arms, 1939-1945
$16.99 Get it from Amazon