This is an authentic, period piece 1938 Sudetenland Medal, otherwise known officially as the "Commemorative Medal of 1st October 1938". Introduced on 18 October 1938, it commemorates the German occupation of Czechoslovakia. It was awarded to civilians and military personnel who participated in the “return” of the Sudetenland to Germany.
It was originally conferred upon all participants of the initial occupation including those of the Sudeten Nazi Party who lobbied for the annexation and those wounded, lost property, or faced imprisonment, or other hardships during the political struggle.
1 May 1939 saw the medal's expansion to include those involved in securing the annexation of Bohemia and Moravia as a German "Protectorate". When a recipient had already been awarded the medal, they were given a "Prague Clasp" to wear on the medal's ribbon. The clasp features an image of Prague Castle.
This was the second of the “Anschluss” (Annexation) medal series, the first being the annexation of Austria in March of 1938 which commemorates their annexation into Greater Germany.
Description:
A bronze washed, die struck alloy medal, approximately 32mm diameter & a ribbed, rayon white, black, & red ribbon.
Obverse: Features two embossed figures symbolically breaking the chains of bondage with an unfurled national flag in the background. Contains a high relief national eagle w/swastika centered at the bottom.
Reverse: Features embossed Latin script to the center,”1 Oktober 1938″, encircled by additional script, “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer” (One People, One State, One Leader).
HISTORY:
Hovering over 3 million inhabitants, the Sudetenland was a region of Bohemia awarded to Czechoslovakia in 1919 by the treaty of Saint Germain en Laye brokered between Austria and the allies following WWI's conclusion. Hitler claimed the Germanic Sudetens were being persecuted by the Czech’s and further contended the Sudetenland would be his final territorial endeavor.
The Munich conference on 29 September 1938 between Britain’s Chamberlain, France’s Daladier, Italy’s Mussolini, and Hitler, without Czechoslovakian representation or input, set forth Sudetenland's “return” to Germany.
The German Armed Forces marched into the region on 1 October 1938 annexing more than a third of the country. By 14 March 1939, they completed the total annexation & occupation of Bohemia and Moravia and declared the as German “Protectorates.”
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Inter-War (Nazi Germany)
Commemorative Medal of
1st October 1938
(Sudetenland Medal)
$91.00 (Firm)
Introduced on 18 October 1938.
Awarded to civilians/military who
participated in the “return” of the
Sudetenland to Germany.
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