More Badges and Medals from the NAZI era

"Mother's Cross"

The Cross of Honour of the German Mother

World War 1 exacted a heavy toll in war dead from the German male population.

As a result, women were later pushed into factories to keep the wheels of German Industry turning.

Another result was that there were more marriageable women available than men, and thus a large number of women of child bearing age remained 'unproductive'.

Hitler took positive steps to solve the population 'problem'.

One such program was to advocate the virtues of motherhood, this program included a gigantic propaganda campaign to urge women to increase the size of their families.

• The Cross of Honour of the German Mother (Ehrenkreuz der deutschen Mutter) was created in three classes with the criteria as follows:
  • Bronze (3rd Class) - A bronze Christian Cross normally worn about the neck suspended by a 10mm blue ribbon with two white stripes at each edge. A round shield was affixed to the cross, bearing the inscription 'Der Deutschen Mutter' encircling a black enamel swastika on a white enamel field. Behind the shield and between the arms of the cross was a projection of rays. The arms of the cross were blue enamel with white enamel edges. Presented for bearing 4 or 5 children,
    • The reverse was plain save for the date '16 December 1938'  followed by a facsimile of Hitler's signature. (see photo below)
    • From 16th December 1938, when the decoration was first instituted, to mid 1939, the Mothers Cross bore the inscription 'Das Kind adelt die Mutter' (The child ennobles the mother). Why this change on the reverse of the cross was brought about is not known. 
    • The manufacturer's logo was sometimes found on the back as well. This award was normally presented in a blue envelope bearing the title of the award on the front. The award was also accompanied by a large certificate bearing a facsimile of Hitler's signature.

• Silver (2nd Class) - similar to the 3rd class except that the metal parts were finished in silver. It was presented for bearing 6 or 7 children.

• Gold (1st Class - again similar to the 3rd class except all the metal parts were finished in Gold and also it was presented in a hard presentation case that consisted of a hinged and compartmentalised box. The exterior was a very dark blue simulated leather with a facsimile of the award embossed in gold. The interior of the lid was a white satin and the base was an off white velvet. It was presented for bearing eight or more children.

<< Also worn as a miniature suspended from a bow, on the left breast. When the award was first instituted approximately 3 million women qualified for one of these awards. Only families of German origin qualified. Females from Danzig, Austria and the Sudetenland were eligible when these territories were absorbed into the Greater German Reich. Awards were rendered only on 'Mothering Sunday' (Mothers Day) the second Sunday in May.

The first awards were made on the 21st May 1939, and the last awards were presented in 1944. In addition to being worn about the neck, the cross was also worn in its full size suspended from a bow, and attached to the lapel.  A miniature either suspended from a bow (see above) or made into a brooch was also authorized. All three classes were identical in size (35mm wide by 42mm high) and design, and were the creations of architect Franz Berberich. reverse >>

The reverse of "Rommel's Medal">>

This medal is actually an Italian medal and was only issued to Germans who served in the Afrika Korps.  

The 1943 Kuban Shield for participation in the fighting to preserve the Kuban bridgeheads (Feb - Oct 1943). Only 1 of several Campaign Shields. It was worn with a backing cloth on the left arm of the tunic and greatcoat.

The (NAZI) Red Cross Medal

(or a single act if it was of great importance).

NAZI Female Leaders badge

 This award was to be presented to the twelve most deserving Germans after the war had been won by the Axis. Only one exception was made (the Stuka ace Hans-Ulrich Rudel) and this was to be the only one presented, ever

War Merit Medal obverse

War Merit Medal reverse

Honour badge of the Technical Emergency Service ( TENO ). 1922

These medals were awarded with swords for bravery and without for merit. They came in two classes - 1st class (pinback) and 2nd class (on a ribbon). The 1st class came in two grades - gold and silver - and the 2nd class in three grades - gold, silver and bronze. Hence there were ten possible versions of this award. Additionally, unlike German awards such as the Iron Cross, repeat awards of the same grade were possible. Originally only "Eastern Peoples" were eligible, but the criteria were changed to allow awards of the silver grades (1st and 2nd Class) with Swords to German cadre personnel.

•  Notably, this is the only major German award of World War Two that did not incorporate the swastika in its design.

• Police Long Service for 12 and 25 Years.  
• Shown in tarnished Silver, this is available in Gold for 25 years.

The German Police or Polizei were organized like the military.  In some cases entire police units were moved into the Army and the Waffen SS and became combat units.  These badges reflect that paramilitary training.

• Gendarmerie Hochalpine  

• Polizei Schiführer 

• Polizei Berg Führer

• Cap Edel with Swastika

Edelweiss badge as worn by German and Austrian mountain troops in Ww2.

• <<<< It is an indication of how deeply the NAZI regime became ingrained in the everyday fabric of German society to see the Boy Scouts badge superimposed on the swastika on this medal.

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