War Merit Medal

Description

The War Merit Medal was established ten months after the War Merit Cross. The initial frequency of the War Merit Cross’s awards, particularly among civilians, led to a decline in its esteem. In response to this recognition and intending to halt it, Hitler instituted this civilian honour on August 19, 1940. While other accolades like the Iron Cross were revised to encompass only superior grades, the War Merit Cross was broadened in both directions.

The War Merit Medal was a circular bronzed medal displaying a War Merit Cross without swords on the obverse and the inscription “Fur Kriegsverdienst” (for war merit) on the reverse. It was suspended with the same ribbon as the 2nd Class but included a slender red line in the centre.

The Medal was intended to be only a civilian accolade. It was specifically designed for workers whose contributions, although significant, were executed en masse. The most notable achievement was the substantial surpassing of work quotas, complemented by the fact that a plant with many War Merit Medal recipients attained “Outstanding War Factory Classification”. They were subsequently conferred the War Merit Cross 1st Class without swords in ceremonious events, and permitted to exhibit a banner to signify this honour. This last product was conceived by Albert Speer, an initiative embraced by the Nazi leadership as it effectively functioned as an incentive, morale enhancer, and propaganda instrument.

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