German Sudetenland Medal commemorating the October 1, 1938, annexation of the region by Nazi Germany
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 1.500 inches (3.81 cm) | Width: 1.250 inches (3.175 cm) | Depth: 0.125 inches (0.318 cm)
Creator(s)
- Richard Klein (Designer)
Archival History
The medal was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2012 by William King.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of William King
Scope and Content
Commemorative medal awarded to an unnamed German soldier who participated in the October 1, 1938, annexation of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia by Germany. It depicts two male figures representing the Sudetenland being freed from its shackles by Nazi Germany. The Sudetenland was a region of Czechoslovakia on the border with Germany where the majority of the population were ethnic Germans. In 1938, Hitler threatened to go to war unless the territory was ceded to Germany. At a conference in Munich on September 29-30, attended by Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany, but not the democratic government of Czechoslovakia, the borders of Czechoslovakia were revised and the region was annexed to Germany in return for a pledge of peace from Hitler.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Die cast, bronze colored, circular medal with a front relief image of 2 nude men: the figure on the right carries a flag with a swastika in his left hand; his right hand is on the shoulder of the other figure who wears shackles and a broken chain. They stand atop a Reichsadler, a dexter facing Imperial eagle gripping a wreath with a swastika in its talons. The reverse has embossed text around the edge and a date in the center. At the top is a bail with a suspension ring.
Corporate Bodies
- Germany. Heer
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Territorial questions--Czechoslovakia.
- Sudetenland (Czech Republic)--History.
- National socialism--Czech Republic--Sudetenland--Medals.
- World War, 1939-1945--Czech Republic--Sudetenland.
- Germany--Foreign relations--Czechoslovakia.
- Germans--Czech Republic--Sudetenland--Medals.
Genre
- Military Insignia
- Object
- Medals