DDR-Deutsche Demokratische Republik/ East German awards and correct terminology.

[Hagen]

also to Hagen for the photos.

You're welcome Gunny! After decades of on and off collecting Third Reich I found DDR collecting to be very rewarding and a lot less stressful.

[daniel1234]

very nice additions to the thread.

[Hagen]

very nice additions to the thread.

Thank you Daniel! I'll have more to post when I get back "into town" as I'm away right now.

[Hagen]

Ernst Schneller Medalle;

Instituted 1961. Is the highest award of the Gesellschaft fur sport und Technik, (GST) or Sports and Technology.

The GST did pre-military training for youth 14-25 in the use of rifles, machine guns, map reading, military drill, truck and motorcycle driving and even parachuting.

Not for sport or enjoyment, the training was done by active duty NCO's to shorten basic training time.

The Medal was at first awarded in three grades Gold, Silver and Bronze at first on an enamel ribbon bar suspension, later versions were awarded in Silver and Bronze with the Gold being replaced by an Honor Clasp. These later versions also had the ribbon suspension.




The reverse reads, "For increasing the defensive capability of our socialist homeland."

Ernst Schneller was executed at Sachsenhausen concentration camp on 11 Oct 1944.

[DerStuermer]

I like the stuff of my Cuntry. The only was i have is a Sportabzeichen in Gold from my Dad.

[Hagen]

The only was i have is a Sportabzeichen in Gold from my Dad.

Is it the NVA one? Here's mine.


They were worn on the right breast pocket of the jacket.

[Hagen]

Fur Treue Dienste im Gesundheits und Sozialwesen Medaille,

For Loyal Service in Health and Social Welfare.

Instituted 15 Nov 1973 and first awarded on the Day of Health 11 Dec 1973. To all employees of health and social cares for constant dedication and hard work in the service of health and life to the citizens of East Germany.

Bronze, 10 years

Silver, 20 years

Gold, 30 years

[Hagen]

The KVP or Kasernierte Volks Polizei (Barracked Peoples Police) were the precursor to the NVA. The KVP existed from 1948 to 1956 when it became part of the newly formed National Peoples Army or NVA.

This is a 5 Year Loyal Service Medal, it is numbered on the back.

[Hagen]

Forgot to say that, although numbered no list has come to light as to whom these medals were awarded to.

[Watchdog]

Forgot to say that, although numbered no list has come to light as to whom these medals were awarded to.

That would be an interesting document and knowing the natural default to record keeping in that part of the world in general I am sure it exists. However, given the needs of the re-unification / reconcilliation process between the two populations it might be a while yet before such records are "discovered"!

Here's my KVP Treue Dienste for comparison as I think it better here than in a new thread;




The case is very reminiscent of the TR types, much nicer than the later hard plastic type.

This one only appeared in the 5 year bronze grade because the KVP didn't last long enough for a 10 year version to be instituted (they morphed into the NVA).

It is distinctive in that the Staatswappen is absent from the flag on the obverse and on the reverse it is a earlier design.

This one has a 5 digit serial number so it is later rather than early issue but that doesn't mean much with these given the end date of the time line.

I particularly like the fact that the interimspange has faded indicating that it was worn day to day whilst the medal itself was not.

I am not aware of any fakes (yet) but the presence of verdigris on the reverse of this one indicative of copper alloy (tombak, brass, bronze etc) is a good sign.

This is a piece of a very intriguing period of European history;