Slovakian
& Czech Awards
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Slovakian
Eastern Front Award
The
Slovakian Eastern Front award shown below was issued in two classes: bronze and
silver. This honor badge was also rendered to German Nationals.
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The
Badge of Honor for service in the Eastern Front
The Slovakians
who participated on the Eastern Front were awarded with a bronze or silver campaign
badge, which was instituted on 22 April 1942.
The bronze badge pictured above shows a Slovakian Helmet with the date inscribed
"22 VI 1941" indicating the date the Slovakian Army participated in the Eastern
Front. On the background is a sword crushing the communist symbolic star and
the hammer and sickle. The reverse is solid and concave shape. It contains a small
pin and catch.
The criteria for these awards were the following classes:
The silver class was awarded for combatants.
The bronze and silver was awarded for support units. This badge has a silver
wreath and sword with the remainder in bronze.
The bronze for rear echelon personnel.
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Government Troops
With German
permission a Czech Police force was raised in the
Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. The "Regierungstruppe" Government Army was
composed of three Inspectorates each with four battalions. The majority of
volunteers were former Officers and NCOs of the Czech Army. These troops were
only allowed to carry small arms.By May 1944, the majority of the Government troops
were moved to Northern Italy for building and guarding defensive installations.
Only one battalion stayed to guard Prague. By the end of 1944 the army
disintegrated.
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Leistungsabzeichent
The only
military award rendered to Government troops was the
"Leistungsabzeichen" (Achievement Badge), instituted around July 1944. Awarded
for repeated acts of assistance to the German army. It came in three classes:
bronze, silver and gold. On top left is a silver class Achievement Badge. The
badge is die struck and measures 38mm x 64mm. On the reverse it has a small catch
and hinge with a thin pin. The design of the badge shows cross swords surmounted
by an eagle holding the swastika. In the center is the coat-of-arms of Bohemia-Moravia
and on each side a wreath of linden leaves. Below is a gilt German approved patriotic
stickpin. On the right is an interesting streetcar pass for a Government soldier
shown in uniform. The Achievement Badge is also found die struck with solid back
and German style catch and hinge.
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