The Medal of Merit for Germany was established on May 1, 1937 by Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler. Swords have been awarded since 1939 exclusively for military merits, that is, when participating in hostilities. This provision was relaxed in 1942. The Medal of Merit has been the lower step of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle since 1943. Before expansion into 27.12.1943, the German Medal of Merit was awarded only in silver. It was also awarded only to foreign citizens who made a living for the German people, and since 1939 - to soldiers of allied countries. The medal was awarded mainly to police officers under an officer and equivalent to the rank of other officials and employees, soldiers before a non-commissioned officer, as well as foreign employees in German missions. The author of the project is Dr. Ottfried Neubecker from Berlin. The first medals from 1937 to 1943 were made of silver and had an inscription on the reverse in fractional font. From about 1943, the font was minted in block type, and the medals were also silver plated with zinc. For military merits, from April 20, 1939, the medal was also awarded with swords. They are crossed and attached to the ring. Fractional type medals are less common than block type merit medals. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. VI, 2001.
Round silver medal with raised border. Above is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring. Crossed swords with Roman parrying poles were soldered on eye 2. They rest on the edge in front. On the rim of the medal is knocked out - crescent - 935 - PR. - COIN - BERLIN -.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
Photos of www.militaria-berlin.de
Front: German Medal of Merit with silver swords with the inscription "Fracture"
Reverse: Medal of Merit for Germany with silver swords with the inscription "Fractation"
Awards of World War II