German Awards - Repatriation Prisoner of War Medal

This medal was established or published by the German Union of Warriors in 1914-1918 e. V. Leipzig. It was intended for prisoners of war of the First World War, who after captivity returned to their homeland. The medal, like most unofficial awards, had to be paid for by the wearer himself. The German Warriors' Union issued many unofficial commemorative crosses and medals in memory of World War I, which could be awarded mainly to members of the Union. Despite the large number of prisoners of war, this medal is very rarely found on the market. Probably, for the prisoners who returned home, there was little praise or unpleasant public indication of their capture. Country-specific medal clips were also issued for the medal. They had the name of the country in which he was held. The following countries are known: - FRANCE -, - ENGLAND -, - BELGIUM -, - SERBIA -, - ITALY -, - ROMANIA - and - RUSSIA -. Source: J. Nimmergut, insignia and awards of German military societies 1800-1943.

Round medal made of gold-plated copper alloy with a raised border. On top is a soldered, ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• In front of a barbed wire fence with three posts on the left, a man with outstretched arms.
• This one is in shape, cap and leggings.
• Behind the barbed wire is a mountainous landscape with the sun in the background and 11 rays.
• Diagonally, a wide river on which in the right field lies a stylized city with a bridge.
• On the left is a tall church tower and other buildings on the left and right. Bridge with arches.

Downside:

• At a short distance from the edge, a wreath of laurel and barbed wire is open from above.
• It consists of 5 groups of laurel leaves with three leaves and four curved wire parts.
• In the included field, an enlarged 6-line font:
• - VO -/- ENEMY LAND -/- FOUND, -/- VO - HOMELAND -/- TRUE -/- UNITED! -.
• The stems of the laurel are crossed below and bounded by curved barbed wire.

Tape:

• 25mm black, left edge stripes black/white/red 5mm total, right red/blue/white 5mm.

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