CASED WW2 GERMAN AUSTRIAN ANCHLUSS MEDAL – UNION WITH AUSTRIA 13TH MARCH 1938

31mm wide white metal die struck alloy award with a silver wash. Face of the medal shows 2 naked men breaking the chains of bondage with an unfurled national flag in the background and a high relief national eagle to the bottom. The reverse features "13. MÄRZ 1938" & "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer" (One People, One State, One Leader). The medal comes parade mounted ribbon, with pin backed assembly to rear. Medal comes in its card faux leather bound case with impressed gilt national eagle to the center of the fold back top lid. The interior of the case has a burgundy flocking lining to the bottom with a raised bar with a central cut-out to secure the award in place. The interior top lid is lined in white satin.

Instituted on 1 May 1938, the medal commemorated the annexation of Austria to the German Reich, the so-called Anschluss. The move was the first in Hitler's quest for Lebensraum, and it strengthened German flanks while weakening those of Czechoslovakia. German troops crossed the border on 12 March 1938, without meeting any resistance. The stage had been set by a series of "incidents" provoked by members of the Nazi Party in Austria, and diplomatic pressure and ultimatums set forth by the German government. This first action, while perhaps raising suspicions, did not cause general alarm in the world community, as it seemed to be done by choice of the Austrian people who spoke German. The medal, known as the "Anschluss medal", was awarded to all those Austrians who contributed to or participated in the annexation as well as the members of the Austrian National Socialism movement. It was also awarded to German State officials and members of the German Wehrmacht and SS who marched into Austria. It was awarded until 31 December 1940, and a total of 318,689 medals were awarded.