Kriegsverdienstmedaille 1939 – Original German War Merit Medal with Ribbon

Description

This original Kriegsverdienstmedaille 1939 is the German War Merit Medal, the lowest grade of the War Merit Cross award system, introduced on 19 August 1940 to recognise meritorious contributions to the war effort away from combat. It comes with its ribbon in the correct pattern, a clearly struck obverse and a fully legible reverse inscription.

What is the Kriegsverdienstmedaille 1939?

The War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) was instituted in October 1939. On 19 August 1940 the system was extended with a circular bronze medal, the Kriegsverdienstmedaille, for meritorious service that did not reach the threshold of the cross itself.

According to the Australian War Memorial, it went primarily to civilian industrial and agricultural workers, particularly those who exceeded production targets in munitions factories, as well as to flak auxiliaries, Red Cross personnel and members of other organisations supporting the war effort. It is therefore a home-front decoration, not a combat award.

It was awarded on a very large scale, with several million examples conferred, so it is one of the most frequently encountered German awards of the period.

Why does it read 1939 if it was introduced in 1940?

The medal was added to the War Merit Cross system founded in 1939, and it carries that system’s date. The reverse reads, on four lines, Für Kriegsverdienst 1939 (“For War Merit 1939”).

How is it identified?

The obverse shows the War Merit Cross in relief, always without swords, with the period state emblem within a small wreath at its centre. The reverse carries the four-line inscription within a raised rim, and the medal hangs from a small ring suspender.

The ribbon is the quickest identification point. It follows the War Merit Cross colours (broad black centre, white inner stripes and red outer edges) but adds a thin red stripe down the centre of the black field. INS92 shows this pattern clearly.

No maker mark is visible on INS92, which is normal for this medal.

For the higher grade, see our War Merit Cross 2nd Class without swords (INS33).

Why collect it?

The Kriegsverdienstmedaille is not rare, and it is priced accordingly. Its interest is documentary: it records the enormous civilian workforce in factories, farms, transport, air-raid protection and support organisations on which wartime Germany depended. It is an accessible and honest representative piece for a collection of German awards, and a natural companion to War Merit Cross documents and decorations.

Condition

Good used condition:

• Even bronze-toned surface with light age-related wear.
• Cross design and central emblem well defined.
• Reverse lettering clear and fully legible.
• Suspension ring intact.
• Full-length ribbon in the correct pattern, with light handling and folding.

Supplied as the medal and ribbon only: no award envelope, packet or document. All photographs show the actual piece offered and form part of this condition description.

Frequently asked questions

What does “Für Kriegsverdienst 1939” mean?
“For War Merit 1939”.

Was it a combat medal?
No. It recognised non-combat service in support of the war effort, mostly by civilians.

Is it rare?
No. Several million were awarded.

How do I tell it apart from the War Merit Cross ribbon?
The medal’s ribbon has a thin red stripe running through the centre of the black field.

Historical Responsibility Notice

This item is offered exclusively as a historical artefact for collecting, preservation, education and research. Period political symbolism is visible because it forms an integral part of the original design. Autographs & Militaria does not endorse or glorify the ideology or political system it represents.

References & Further Reading

• Australian War Memorial, Nazi War Merit Medal (RELAWM30383) – material, ribbon, institution in August 1940 and recipients.
• John R. Angolia, For Führer and Fatherland: Military Awards of the Third Reich (R. James Bender Publishing, 1987) – design, ribbon and numbers awarded.