Crazy doll
G'day all,
Found a white belt set for the summer VoPo (unsure of the pouch's purpose) and a formal border troop officers jacket
This is the Service Medal of the German Democratic Republc (DDR). Although it is styled as a "Military" medal and was awarded by the Ministry of Defence (from 1982 I think) it was not awarded to NVA troops (National Volks Armee - which generically included the Air and Naval element of the armed forces or Streitkraefte). Rather it was meant for "other government forces" whatever that actually means. It was awarded for the typically Warsaw Pact principle of "strengthening co-operation between the NVA and the forces of friendly nations", the old Waffenbruderschaft (armed brotherhood) type of rhetoric the WP governments were so fond of!
I have one of these in my collection and have always found it to be one of the better quality and "proper" looking of the DDR medals.
Not a very expensive piece but an attractive one I feel.
Regards
Mark
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Sorry, but no:
The Verdienstmedaille der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik [Medal of Merit of the German Democratic Republic] was never a military award.
(You're probably confusing it with the Militärische Verdienstmedaille der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik [Military Medal of Merit of the German Democratic Republic], which was instituted in 1982 and exclusively awarded to members of the armed forces of other nations.):
"Instituted in 1959, the 'Verdienstmedaille der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik' can be awarded for longtime merits in the interest of the strengthening and consolidation of the GDR, to include extensive social activity, as well as for merits in the field of international cooperation with the GDR.
The medal is awarded to individuals. Normally, it is to be a one-time award.
The medal is awarded with a document and a financial reward.
Bestowal is made by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, usually on the 1st of May (the international day of struggle and celebration for workers) and the 7th of October (Day of the Republic)."
Info from "BI-Taschenlexikon Orden und Medaillen. Staatliche Auszeichnungen der DDR" by Günther Tautz, published by the VEB Bibliographisches Institut Leipzig (DDR), 1983; translation by me.
Yep, you are quite correct "mea culpa"
In my defence I was just out of bed after working a hectic set of late shifts and was not paying proper attention
(such a keen collector to log on here before even the first coffee!!!)
My humble apologies, I must try harder
Nice medal all the same!
Mark
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Cheers fellas
Hi Rene' here is utv belt and bottle from my collection ,the bottle is well made and would appear coated in flexi foam what are your thoughts on it ,i cant see any dates on these two and i suppose as utv was experimental or the proposed post 1990 gear that might be the reason as its unissued ,the webbing belt has a clasp very similar to the pattern 58 brit webbing
ps ive not forgotten about our trade the padded envelope is all ready to go ,its just ive been a little busy of late , ill send out asap mate
Last edited by James C; 09-19-2015 at 06:58 AM.
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