Medals and Heraldry Recommendations
 

Hi:

Can anyone recommend a good illustrated book on German medals and heraldry from the war? I am not interested in the recipients, but more the medals themselves and the criteria for award.

Thanks in advance.

Mark Proulx

Re: Medals and Heraldry Recommendations
 

that's a big ask Mark, there are dozens, some of them really high-end...

Re: Medals and Heraldry Recommendations
 

Ok. I wasn't aware, hence my question. You gotta start somewhere!

Mark Proulx

Re: Medals and Heraldry Recommendations
 

Gordon Williamson's " The Iron Cross - a history, 1813-1957 " is available cheaply. The same author's "The Iron Cross of 1939" will set you back several hundred $$$

Re: Medals and Heraldry Recommendations
 

Hi Mark,

As Richard said, there are many, many books on the subject of Wehrmacht awards, some dedicated to individual medals/badges, but the references below are general ones that I've found useful:

• "A Collector's Guide to The Luftwaffe" by Ailsby, Ian Allan Publishing, 2006, softcover, 160 pages, ISBN 9780711031005
• "Deutsche Auszeichnungen: Kampf- und Tätigkeitsabzeichen der Luftwaffe 1935-1945" by Behr, Motor Buch Verlag, 2016, softcover, 126 pages, ISBN 9783613038752"
• "The Awards of the Luftwaffe" by Scapini, B&D Publishing, 2018, hardcover, 304 pages, ISBN 9781532336881

The first two titles above are widely available at modest prices (< US $20.) The last one is harder to find and more expensive (about $110.) All include award descriptions, histories, criteria, and color photos.

Note that these books are focused on the medals and awards that were specific to the Luftwaffe, so they don't cover those awarded across all Wehrmacht branches, such as the Eiserne Kreuz I & II, Deutsches Kreuz in Gold, and Ritterkreuz.

For other available publications, these sites are worth checking:

• The "Reference Books" section at Militaria321: https://www.militaria321.com/kategor...categoryID=208
• "German Militaria Books" at Reddick Militaria: https://www.reddickmilitaria.com/ger...dges-documents

Hope that helps,
Leon Venter

Re: Medals and Heraldry Recommendations
 

Looks like a great place to start. Thanks Leon for your reply. I appreciate it.

Mark Proulx

Re: Medals and Heraldry Recommendations
 

For Heer awards you can get a modern day reprint of MERKBLATT 15/5 ORDEN UND EHRENZEICHEN which gives the criteria for the awards (no images though).
A copy can be found here but you will need to register to order it: https://www.history-shop.de/katalog/...EN_126668.html

For Luftwaffe Flight Clasps there is Flight Clasps of the Luftwaffe by Stephen Thomas Previtera (ISBN: 978-0967307053) although it does tend to be expensive as are many of these niche books.

For the Pilots Badge there is Luftwaffe Pilot and Combined Pilots and Observer Badges guidebook by Sébastien Talbot and Stephan Papke.
https://www.generalassaultmilitaria....stephan-papke/

Re: Medals and Heraldry Recommendations
 

Well, after a little scrounging, I was able to find a copy of the Scapini book from nearby. Looking forward to digging into it and I hope this is a good primer for a neophyte.

Thanks everyone for all your feedback!

Mark Proulx