Medal Winter Battle in the East
The Winter Battle in the East Medal, often simply called the Eastern Medal, was a German military award during World War II. Soldiers often referred to the medal colloquially as the "Frozen Meat Order" or "Frost Medal."
Design of the Eastern Medal
The zinc medal has a diameter of approximately 40 mm. It is completely blackened except for a silver-plated rim approximately 2 mm wide. The obverse of the medal features the national eagle with an oversized swastika. Behind the swastika is a laurel branch. Above the eagle is a silver-plated German steel helmet, with a prone stick grenade beneath the helmet.
On the reverse the inscription “Winter Battle in the East 1941/42”, below a sword with a laurel branch.
Requirements for the award of the Eastern Medal
The medal could be awarded to all soldiers of the German Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS who were deployed on the Eastern Front between November 15, 1941, and April 15, 1942, and who had participated in at least 14 days of combat (or 30 missions in the Luftwaffe), or had received a wound/injury for which a Wound Badge was awarded, or had proven themselves in action for at least 60 days without interruption.
The Eastern Medal could also be awarded posthumously if the requirements were met. It was also possible to award it to foreign nationals subordinate to the German High Command.
Wearing the Eastern Medal
The medal itself was worn on the medal bar. The ribbon was threaded through the second buttonhole of the uniform and sewn in place. If present, it was placed under the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd Class, or under the ribbon of the War Merit Cross 2nd Class. Wearing it as a ribbon bar above the left breast pocket was also possible.
Award figures for the Eastern Medal
In total, approximately 2,5 million Wehrmacht soldiers were eligible for the medal. In addition, approximately 200.000 were awarded posthumously. The number of awards given to members of allied armed forces is largely unknown. Today, the total number of medals awarded is estimated at over three million.
Value and purchase
The Eastern Medal itself, as a mass award, is rarely worth more than €30 individually. However, estates containing certificates, award bags, or photos of the wearer can be worth well over €100.
