Scharnhorst Order

The Scharnhorst Order was an Order of the GDR, which was awarded for services to the military or other strengthening of the GDR. He was endowed on 17 February 1966 by the Council of Ministers of the GDR and awarded to the dissolution of the GDR in 1990.

  • 5.1 versions
  • 5.2 Band Color
  • 5.3 Dimensions and weight

Draft of the Order

The design of the Scharnhorst Medal originated by Klaus Bern village. The sculptural representation of the Order itself was then performed by the Berlin sculptor Fritz Schulz.

Award conditions

The Scharnhorst Order was a einklassiger medals and was named after the Prussian General Gerhard von Scharnhorst. Scharnhorst was perceived in the GDR as a progressive military theorist who campaigned for reforms in the Prussian military system and laid the foundations of a national army. The NVA looked directly in the tradition of the German wars of liberation from 1813 to 1815 and in the fulfillment of the NVA as a " people's army ".

The Order was awarded for outstanding:

  • Military merit
  • Contribution to the protection of the GDR and
  • Strengthening the national defense of the GDR

To members, military units, associations and other bodies (including civil institutions):

  • The National People 's Army (NPA ) for anniversary of the NVA on March 1st of the year
  • The Border Troops of the GDR ( GT) on the anniversary of GT on December 1 of the year
  • The civil defense of the GDR ( ZV) the anniversary of the ZV on February 11
  • Of the Ministry for State Security ( Stasi) on the anniversary of the Stasi on 8 February of each year.

In addition, an award of the Order was also provided to members of other armed bodies of the GDR, but did not have to be necessarily involved in an armed organization. Ceremonies were also provided to foreign military personnel and have been practiced. For example, the Marshal Viktor Kulikov Georgijewitsch. The Order was always presented on the day of his ceremony with an elaborately crafted certificate. To this end, it was a one-time cash bonus of 5,000 marks.

Position and value of the order

Although the Scharnhorst Order represented the highest military award of the GDR, he only reached the 7th place in the order of all awards of the GDR. This resulted in the placement of the order to the Order buckle for higher value awards.

Overview of the significance of the Order of the German Democratic Republic (detail)

Carrying method

The Scharnhorst Order was worn on the left side of the chest at a pentagonal ribbon clasp ( Russian model ). In case of multiple awards, the order was carried in accordance with its award number.

Appearance and material

The religious character was subjected to 1989 several changes since its introduction in 1966, the basic appearance of the Order was changed only insignificantly. The Scharnhorst Medal consisted period of its existence from a backed by golden rays five-armed star. In the center medallion of the star was in a blue box with white framing a golden portrait of Scharnhorst, under the two crossed golden daggers were placed.

As is easy to see that illustrates the short version of the production that the Scharnhorst Order more and more forfeited in its 23- year existence of quality, first, the disappearance of precious metals through to gluing individual elements.

Band Color

The ribbon of the Order of Scharnhorst was blue with gold held percussion ( same color both side stripes). The same play of colors reflected on the ribbon bar, placed on the center of a miniature medallions Scharnhorst was placed.

Dimensions and weight

Exact measurements are only possible due to different custom-made with regard to the use of materials. Therefore, the sizes are based on averages. These were:

  • Height including eye: 45.45 mm to 46.37 mm
  • Width: about 42.5 mm
  • Total width of daggers: about 30.2 mm
  • Weight: 44 g to 44.5 g

Bearers

  • Klaus -Dieter Baumgarten
  • Friedrich Dickel
  • Leopold God Help
  • Heinz Hoffmann
  • Wojciech Jaruzelski
  • Heinz Kessler
  • Viktor Kulikov Georgijewitsch
  • Peter Koch
  • Erich Mielke
  • Erich Peter
  • Werner Prosetzky
  • Willi Stoph
  • Fritz Streletz
  • Karl -Heinz Wagner

Others

The Scharnhorst Order was, like many other medals awarded to the GDR (such as Karl -Marx- Orden ) to whole units, associations or businesses in the form of a flag belt.

Obverse and reverse National People's Army Order of Karl Marx Hero of Labor Banner of Labor Noble metal Distinguished Service Medal of the National People's Army
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