West Wall Medal
The West Wall Medal (Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen) was a decoration of Nazi Germany. It was instituted on 2 August 1939 and was given to those who designed and built the fortifications on Germany's western borders, known as the Westwall or, in English, the Siegfried Line, between 15 June 1938 to 31 March 1939. On 13 November 1939 eligibility was extended to include servicemen of the Wehrmacht who served on the Westwall for at least ten weeks.
West Wall Medal
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
- Name
- West Wall Medal Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen
- Period
- 1939.
- Region
- Germany and Nazi Germany.
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Documentary summary
The West Wall Medal (Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen) was a decoration of Nazi Germany. It was instituted on 2 August 1939 and was given to those who designed and built the fortifications on Germany's western borders, known as the Westwall or, in English, the Siegfried Line, between 15 June 1938 to 31 March 1939. On 13 November 1939 eligibility was extended to include servicemen of the Wehrmacht who served on the Westwall for at least ten weeks.
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wikidata · Q689343 · wikipedia · West Wall Medal
In this article
Overview
Overview
In all 622,064 medals were awarded until 31 January 1941, when awards of the medal ceased. In 1944, after the allied invasion, the medal was re-instituted and awarded to those who renovated and strengthened the fortifications on the western borders. This version of the medal was commonly known as the "Defence Wall Honor Award", to distinguish the decoration from its 1939 counterpart. It was awarded to over 800,000 men in total by the end of the war.
West Wall Medal, Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen Back
Wikimedia Commons
German West Wall medal
Shutzwall_medal.jpg: The original uploader was Ingsoc at English Wikipedia. derivative work: Vasyatka1 (talk) · Shutzwall_medal.jpg
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — West Wall Medal Deutsches Schutzwall-Ehrenzeichen • Presenter — Nazi Germany • Type — Medal • Eligibility — Military and civilian personnel • Status — Defunct • Established — 2 August 1939 • Total Awarded — 800,000
Background
Background
The original proposal, in January 1939, had been for the award of a non-wearable medallion bearing the obverse inscription: "Dem Arbeiter zur Ehr; Der Heimat zur Wehr" (To the Worker, Honor; The Homeland, Defense) with the recipient's name engraved on the reverse. This version was never issued. After the outbreak of war in 1939, Fritz Todt, founder of the Organization Todt which helped build the wall, claimed that the medal could be worn with "the same right and the same pride" as military decorations such as the Iron Cross. However, in view of the large numbers awarded, many recipients disparagingly referred to it as the 'Order of Clay' (Lehmorden).
Chronology
Dated record
Chronology
The full dated record · 2 entries
1939
West Wall Medal first recorded.
1939
West Wall Medal was established or created on 23 November 1939.
Description
The medal was awarded in one class. It was struck in bronze. Its oval shape featured on the obverse (from bottom to top) a bunker, a crossed sword and shovel, and the German Eagle. The reverse bore the inscription "Für Arbeit zum Schutze Deutschlands" (For Work in the Defence of Germany). Both sides of the medal were edged with a wreath of oak leaves. The medal was designed by Professor Richard Klein of Munich. The ribbon is golden brown with a white stripe towards each edge. On 10 October 1944 a second production run was authorized to reward the workers and military personnel strengthening the Siegfried line. This version of the medal was made of a bronzed zinc. A bar with the date "1944" was authorized for those who already held the 1939 version, but it was never mass-produced.
Primary material
Context
The circumstances in which West Wall Medal stands. Recorded as Orders, decorations, and medals of Nazi Germany. Established or created on 23 November 1939. Attributed to Richard Klein. Situated in German Reich. Situated in Germany.
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References
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Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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