Original WWII German Russian Front Medal

Original WWII German Eastern Front or “Russian Front” 

The Russian Front Medal was instituted by Adolf Hitler on May 26TH 1942 to commemorate the first winter campaign in Russia. The award was available to all Wehrmacht personnel, civilians, and foreign volunteers who met the required criteria with the main qualification being at least fourteen days of participation in combat on the Russian front.

Die-struck, alloy construction, medal with a silver-washed outer rim and helmet, and a blued center. The obverse of the medal features a recessed outer rim with an embossed helmet and stick grenade to the top center and a high relief Wehrmacht style national eagle with down swept wings, clutching a static swastika in its talons which is superimposed on a laurel leaf sprig to the center. The reverse of the medal features a recessed outer rim with a smooth background field with embossed Latin script to the center, “Winterschlacht Im Osten 1941/42”, (Winter Battle in the East 1941/42), above a crossed sword and laurel leaf sprig.