West Wall Medal
The German Rampart decorations, also called the West Wall Medal was an award from the period of National Socialism and was founded on August 2, 1939 by Adolf Hitler.
Stylish look and manner
The German Rampart Honour is an oval, bronze medal, the obverse shows a bunker with over crossed sword and spade and an eagle with swastika. On the back is in Versalschrift " For working for the protection of Germany." It was worn on a brown and white band on the left chest.
Award
The medal was awarded to individuals who had worked on the German fortifications, such as the East Wall or the Western Wall. This could be both soldiers and male employees and workers of the Wehrmacht. Mostly, however, there were members of the Reich Labour Service or the Organisation Todt. On November 23, 1939, the day it was first presented, the following persons received this award by Hitler personally:
- Fritz Todt
- Erwin joke of life
- Karl Kitzinger
- Alfred Jacob ( in his capacity as Chief of fortresses )
- Konstantin Hierl ( in his capacity as Reich Labor Leader )
- Robert Ley ( in his capacity as Reich Leader of the NSDAP )
The decorations should be awarded to persons who were employed on June 15, 1938 to March 31, 1939 during the construction of the Western Wall. On November 13, 1939, this condition was added, so that it could also be awarded to military personnel of the Air Force when at least 10 weeks were used at the Western Wall. Until 31 January 1941, the Rampart of Honour was awarded 622 064 times. The decorations were the recipients often sent by mail. Due to the high award numbers were still delivered 1941 decorations after the German attack on the Soviet Union in June. Work on the West Wall had been set in 1940.
Importance
The founder of Organisation Todt, Fritz Todt, claiming in 1939, the decoration could be " the same right and the same pride " as the military Iron Cross award be worn with. Equating the work at the Western Wall with a military power can also be found in the contemporary term " front line workers ", which referred to the " front-line soldier ." As a function of the Foundation of Honour in the motivation of the workers called on the West Wall in 1939 against the backdrop of worsening international situation.
With all of the awards the decoration of the workers at the Western Wall was disparagingly referred to as Lehmorden. A report of the Security Service of the Reichsführer- SS (SD) from January 1940, according to the company had emerged rates for so-called Western Wall jewelry. According to SD, the population rejected the Western Wall jewelery partly from as kitsch; On the other hand there among the workers at the Western Wall, the need to wear a visible keepsake. In February 1940, no objections to the sale of a so-called Westwall ring were collected after an examination by the Ministry of Propaganda.
Resumption of ceremonies 1944
After the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944, the work was resumed on the West Wall. By decree of October 10, 1944 Hitler approved the recent award of the protecting Wall of Honour. Persons who had been awarded in the year 1939, the Rampart decorations should receive a " clasp to protect Wall of Honour ". Whether the clasp ever made or given, is not known for sure.
Others
Under the law on titles, orders and decorations of 1957, the Rampart decorations must not be worn in the Federal Republic.