Ww2 german armed forces awards and medals germany produced an extensive array of medals, badges, awards, and decorations between 1935 and 1945. David mattey started ww2buyer in 2008 as a response to the restrictions on selling german ww2 militaria on the major auction platform ebay. World war ii military medals and awards identify medals. The defenders numerical superiority was eventually overwhelmed by the attackers massive advantage in logistic and air. Two medals commemorate a swift, costly war by john norris when italy attacked. Obverse profile portrait of king george of greece surrounded by wreath, crown above his head. The royal cypher and insignia on the obverse were removed and. Greece military medals orders decorations hellenic kingdom. Why wait for your medals when you can have them shipped within 24 from usamm home of the ezrack builder. Ww2 berlin olympics gallipoli 1915 an australian baby boomer the crete evacuation in world war two. Awards world war ii iron crosses military ranks, military insignia, military. Crete ww2 david doughty australian stories tribute. Our medals patches are of the highest quality and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Reg holmes was the intelligence officer with the australian 19th australian infantry brigade under brigadier george vasey.
Financial reward is waiting inexchange for historic ww2 memorabilia. It began on the morning of 20 may 1941, when nazi germany began an airborne invasion of crete. Britain ww2 kings medal courage cause freedom 1939 1945 military. Albania, macedonia, thrace, crete for army medals and 194041 aegean, ionian, myrtoum, adriatic for navy medals. The battle of crete was fought from may 20 to june 1, 1941, during world war ii 1939 to 1945. World war 2 german medals, awards and badges are some of the most detailed and ornate of any in military history. The greek campaign, in which australian, british and new zealand troops, under the command of the british general, sir henry maitland wilson, supported greek forces against the axis powers, was an illplanned, disastrous and short campaign. From 1983 the 194041 was removed but the rest remained.
I am a life member of the forks of the delaware arms association as well as a life member of the ohio valley military society. The battle of crete was the first occasion where fallschirmjager german paratroops were used en masse, the first mainly airborne invasion in military history, the first time the allies made significant use of intelligence from decrypted german messages from the enigma machine, and the first time german troops encountered mass resistance from a civilian population. Orders, decorations, and medals of nazi germany wikipedia. Many standard awards of the german state, such as lifesaving medals, were redesigned to incorporate the nazi symbol, the swastika. It highlights the final act of the german greek war. Awards and medals of the german armed forces in wwii. It saw the germans make largescale use of paratroopers during the invasion.
The allies managed to repel the italians in the initial invasion but germany provided aid to the italian attack and they drove some 57, 000 of the allied troops from the mainland. Orders, decorations, and medals of greece wikipedia. Awards and decorations of nazi germany were military, political and civilian decorations that were bestowed between 1923 and 1945, first by the nazi party and later the state of nazi germany the first awards began in the 1920s, before the nazis had come to national power in germany, with the political decorations worn on party uniforms, along with any awards they. The full list of the qualifying special areas one day are in paragraph 15 of the eligibility rules for the 19391945 star. Meissen porcelain table medal white clay, 48mm, meissen, 1941, sch. Award medal patches strives to offer the most complete collection of authentic military award medal patches available. Greece ww2 commemorative military medal crete albania war. Crete ww2 david doughty australian stories tribute to. Albert goodwin collection 126 a gentlemans collection. For example, in greece and crete between 10 march 1941 and 31 may 1941, or in guadalcanal allied invasion between 7 august 1942 and 9 february 1943. My name is daniel griffin, and i have been a collector and dealer in original military antiques and collectibles for over 40 years. The reverse has original a greek inscription meaning 194041 eprius, albania, macedonia, thrace, crete for army medals and 194041 aegean, ionian, myrtoum, adriatic for navy medals. In one of the little villages dotted around it i forget its name there is a small war museum, well signposted. Luftlandeschlacht um kreta, also unternehmen merkur, operation mercury, greek.
Nicknamed the gefrierfleischorden, or frozen meatmedal, the eastern front medal was awarded to three million german and axis personnel during 15 november 1941 to 15 april 1942. Georgios physchandakis was from the village of asi gonia which has a small museum dedicated to him there is also a good museum at kares on the chorra sffakia road there is a boffers gun and small museum at maleme german cemetry also if you visit travanatis there is the old bridge with a torpedo on each side there is a small cemetry and shrine to the apprentices and young men who took up arms. The iron cross, which dated from 18, was earned by some 2,500,000 men during world war ii. Crete was occupied by the allies when italy attacked greece in 1940. This world war ii medal hangs from a white and blue striped ribbon that has a red stripe down the middle. Germany produced an extensive array of medals, badges, awards, and decorations between 1935 and 1945. In fact, the history of german awards and medals is very extensive, with hundreds of. Help identifying badges, patches, medals, pins,etc wwii.
If you drive down to chora sfakion recommended youll pass on the way the askifou plain. Fallschirmjager paratrooper ww2 wwii german luftwaffe mercury crete eagle. Greek and other allied forces, along with cretan civilians, defended the island. The history for rating patches, badges, medals and ribbons is also included. Medal fallschirmjager paratrooper ww2 wwii german luftwaffe. Mar 14, 2019 explore arminius9940s board german military awards wwii on. Georgios physchandakis was from the village of asi gonia which has a small museum dedicated to him there is also a good museum at kares on the chorra sffakia road there is a boffers gun and small museum at maleme german cemetry also if you visit travanatis there is the old bridge with a torpedo on each side there is a small cemetry and shrine to the apprentices and young men.
While a number of german units had worn cuff titles as part of their regimental or corps insignia, this was the first world war ii operation. Awarded to the royal greek armed forces who participated from the start of world war ii in greece from 1940 to the fall of crete in 1941. The greek honors system goes back to 1829 and the establishment of the order of the redeemer at the fourth national assembly at argos. Maleme, west of chania is where the germans flew in reinforcements after the first wave of paratroopers had been almost wiped out. Standard, anodized and miniature medals, ready to go. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. May 31, 2012 how to identify world war ii ribbons and medals.
During and after the second world war, which lasted from 1939 to 1945, numerous campaign medals and awards were instituted in recognition of service. Ribbon dark blue with pale blue broad central stripe and narrow pale blue stripes at each edge. The grand cross of the order of the redeemer remains the highest honor of greece to this day. This is a recommended book for collectors of military medals and ribbons as well as military history buffs. For 12 dramatic days new zealanders, british, australian and greek troops, assisted by cretan civilians, tried to repel a huge airborne assault by the germans. The medal was originally awarded to those who served at home or overseas for at least 18 month fulltime service, or three years parttime service, between 3. Atlantic star medal ww2 british commonwealth military award full size repro uk. Ww1 german pin rider badge medal combat veteran ww2 us army soldier estate. Some of the most popular and well known german medals include the iron cross first class, iron cross second class aka. Branch insignia ukraine army badge emblem of the armed forces medal.
There you will find the german cementary, kandanos,on the road to ppaleochora, is another important place. Military medals, patches and insginia flying tigers surplus. The battle for crete the battle for crete nzhistory. Rays project out from the silver star to meet a laurel wreath surrounding this medal. Great savings free delivery collection on many items. The australia service medal 19391945 was instituted in 1949 to recognise the service of members of the australian armed forces and the australian mercantile marine during world war ii. Arctic medals and militaria 431 followers arcticmedals 21279 arcticmedalss feedback score is 21279 100. During the world war 2, the strategic interest of crete is worth the help of the allies, as england, which guarantees from 1938 the territorial integrity of the island.
Greece ww2 commemorative military medal battles albania crete. For example, in greece and crete between 10 march 1941 and 31 may 1941, or in guadalcanal allied invasion between 7 august 1942 and 9 february. This was the start of what is known as the battle for crete. The upper floor of the naval museum in chania is dedicated to ww2 and i highly recommissioned a visit. May 09, 2012 i am trying to create a shadow box display of all of my fathers medals, patches, badges, lapel pins, hat pin,etc that he may have worn. Looking for an awards certificate that is included and how to claim them from the u.
Silver star this world war ii medal consists of a fivepoint gold star with a silver star superimposed in the middle. The list below show those from the main participants, created during the ww2 period and subsequent years. If youd like to see medals from other countries, please use the main menu above. I am trying to create a shadow box display of all of my fathers medals, patches, badges, lapel pins, hat pin,etc that he may have worn. Ww2 places to visit crete message board tripadvisor. Greek armed forces who took part in the war efforts from the outbreak of the war in greece in 1940 until the fall of crete in 1941. Commonwealth world war ii militaria 19391945 for sale ebay. Most of those captured on crete were held temporarily in a transit camp near galatas before being transported to mainland greece. Awarded to personnel who fought in the battle for the island of crete from 19411942. List of military awards and decorations of world war ii wikipedia. As issued after ww2 to nz british and australians who took part in the greek and crete campaigns.
Because of the occupacion of crete kriti was considered an unrealistic military obsective, no significand defense preparationshad been made of the island. However, the relevant decree was signed in nafplio by king otto on may 20, 1833. Battle of crete 1941 world war 2, photos mike hotel. The battle of crete is considered one of the most sensational events os t he second world war in 1941 it highlights the final act of the german greek war. Dejected allied prisoners of war pass german vehicles on their way back over the white mountains from sfakia. This list of military awards and decorations of world war ii is an index to articles on notable.
During the world war 2, the strategic interest of crete is worth the help of the allies. He was a pfc, rifleman 745, with the 441st bomb squad of the 320th bomb group and served in. Battle of crete norway maquis military medals orders badges decorations insignia. Allied prisoners of war on crete nzhistory, new zealand. Close this website uses cookies to improve user experience. East africa yugoslavia shanggao greece crete iraq soviet union finland lithuania syria and lebanon kiev iran leningrad gorky. Battle of crete 1941 world war 2, photos mike hotel apartments. The level of detail, consistency and quality demanded of ww2 nazi germany was unmatched for the time. How to identify world war ii ribbons and medals hubpages.
He was a pfc, rifleman 745, with the 441st bomb squad of the 320th bomb group and served in northern france, rhineland and central europe. The battle of crete is considered one of the most sensational events os t he second world war in 1941. Here you will find one of the most elaborate and most organized archives of us military medals, ribbons, rank, insignia badges, patches and alike on the. Thus, some awards such as sports badges were bestowed on nazi party members, members of the german military, and regular civilians. Though a victory, the battle of crete saw these forces sustain such high losses that.
The greek campaign, in which australian, british and new zealand troops, under the command of the british general, sir henry maitland wilson, supported greek forces against the axis powers, was an ill. In fact, the history of german awards and medals is very extensive, with hundreds of colorful awards being awarded since the early 1800s. Davids interest in militaria stems from exposure to war films and documentaries starting back in the 1970s. The reverse has original a greek inscription meaning 194041 eprius, albania, macedonia, thrace, crete for army medals and 194041 aegean, ionian.