Decoration for Defence Economy Leaders.

Decoration for Defence Economy Leaders.

Instituted on March 1939

Rarity – Extremely rare

Known Makers – Umarked

This award took the form of an oval badge which measured 46 mm high and 35 mm wide. It had the outer edge with an indented inner line which measured 4 mm wide. The lower half of the oval was an open oak leaf wreath with two oak leaves with their stalks crossed. From these on either side are five bunches of three oak leaves. The badge at the top has the national emblem surmounting a banner in three folds bearing the inscription Wehr – Wirtschaft – Führer. Immediately below this is a factory complex belching smoke.

The reverse is plain with a vertical hinge pin and hook. The hinge and hook are held to the badge by an oval plate. The badge was constructed from aluminium and was gilded with the leading edges of the Eagles wing and the inscription being burnished. The badge was manufactured by the Firm, C. E. Juncker of Berlin S.W.68.

There is a second version that is of the same design, but measured 42 mm high and 33 mm wide. The reverse is plain with a vertical hinge pin and C shaped hook. The hinge and hook are held to the badge without an oval plate. The badge was constructed from tombak and was gilded with the leading edges of the Eagles wing and the inscription not being burnished.

It was worn on the left breast. A miniature version, differering slightly from the full size badge was worn on the left lapel. A citation accompanied the bestowal of the badge.

The full size badge and miniature version.

On 31^st January 1938, Goring set up a Council for Defence Economy. Its members were chosen from the leading industrialists in Germany. each member had the title “Defence Economy Leader”. The Council was charged with the responsibility of preparing and carrying out mobilization of the armenent industry and directing it in time of war. But before an industrialist could receive either the title or the badge, he had to submit a “declaration of political attitude” couched in the following terms, “I herewith declare I stand by the National Socialist concept of state without reservation and that I have not acted in any way against the interests of the people” proving this was a political as well as an industrial award.

The golden badge for Defence Economy Leaders was instituted in March 1939 to recognise the members of the Council and to single out industrial leaders above middle management level who contributed significantly to the furtherance of industrial management. Recommendation for the award had to come from the Kreis in which the proposed recipient worked and had to be approved by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht.

A badge in wear at a conference in France  mid war.

Kehrl Hans - SS-Brigadeführer und Generalmajor der Polizei

 

6 August 1892 - 26 April 1984 D.

 

Party Number 498187  SS Number 278247

 

1914 Iron Cross Second Class, 1914 Iron Cross First Class, Cross of Honour 1914-18 Combatants, 1914 Wound Badge Black Class, Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords 27 November 1944 (23 September 1944), 1939 Iron Cross Second Class bar, 1939 Iron Cross First Class bar, War Merit Cross Second Class with Swords, War Merit Cross First Class with Swords, Decoration for Defence Economy Leaders, SS Honour Ring, SS Honour Sword.

 



 

How many awards were made is not known but assumed that the number was very small. Among the recipients were :-

 

Ambros	Otto, Prof. Dr. phil	1901-1990	I.G. Farben official, sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment at the I.G. Farben Trial for involvement in slavery and mass murder, he was released in 1952.
Burkart	Odilo	1898	Associate of Flick, acquitted at the Flick trial.
Bütefisch	Heinrich, Dr.-Ing.	1894-1969	SS-Obersturmbannführer - I.G. Farben official, sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment for his involvement in slave labour and mass murder. He was released in January 1951.
Dornier	Claude	1884-1969	Industrialist, created the Dornier planes for the Luftwaffe. He was exonerated by a de-Nazification court.
Flick	Friedrich	1883-1972	Head of several industries, sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment for involvement in slave labour, released in 1950.
Frydag	Karl, Dipl.-Ing.
Gajewski	Fritz	1888-1962	I.G. Farben official, acquitted at the I.G. Farben Trial.
Hayler	Franz, Dr. re. pol.
Heinkel	Ernst	1888-1958	Designer and manufacturer of the He planes during World War II. He was classified as a "fellow traveller" by a de-Nazification court and fined, despite involvement in slave labour.
Heyne	Hans, Dipl.-Ing.
Houdremont	Eduard	1896? - 1958	Krupp official, sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for involvement in slave labour, released at the same time as Krupp.
Ilgner	Max	1899-1966	I.G. Farben official, sentenced to 3 years' imprisonment for plunder and spoliation. He was released immediately, his sentence having been considered served.
Janssen - Krupp	Friedrich Wilhelm		Official, sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for involvement in slave labour, released at the same time as Krupp.
Kaletsch	Konrad		Flick official, acquitted of all charges at the Flick trial.
Kehrl	Hans  SS-Brigadeführer	6.8.1892 - 1984	Head of commodity Office in the Ministry of Armaments
Kessler	Philipp, Dr.-Ing.
Krauch	Carl	1887-1968	Chairman of the advisory board of I.G. Farben. Sentenced to 6 years' imprisonment for involvement in slave labour, released in 1950.
Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach	Gustav	1870-1950	Head of the Krupp industry until 1943, not tried due to ill health.
Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach	Alfried	1907-1967	NSFK-Standartenführer - Head of the Krupp industries, sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for his involvement in slave labour. He was released on February 4, 1951.
Löser	Ewald Oskar Ludwig	1888-1970	Krupp official was also involved in the July Plot. He avoided execution by faking partial amnesia, but was sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment for his involvement in slave labour. He was released in 1950.
Lüschen	Friedrich, Dr.-Ing. e.h., Dr. phil. hc.
Meer	Fritz Ter	1884-1967	Official of I.G. Farben, sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment for involvement in slave labour at Auschwitz, the only defendant convicted on charges of plunder, spoliation, mass murder, and slavery.
Merker	Otto
Messerschmitt	Wilhelm Prof. Dr-Ing.	1898-1978	Airplane designer and manufacturer, of the Messerschmitt planes. He was classified as a "fellow traveller" by a de-Nazification court and fined.
Müller	Erich		Official at Krupp, sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for slave labour. Released at the same time as Krupp.
Pfirsch	Karl Heinrich		Official at Krupp, only defendant at the Krupp trial to be acquitted of all charges.
Pleiger	Paul
Röchling	Hermann, Dr.-Ing. Dr. rer. pol. hc.
Rohland	Walter, Dr.-Ing
Sauer	Hans		The weapons firm J.P. Sauer u. Sohn of Suhl and SS Bf Theo Croneiß
Saur	Karl Otto
Schmitz	Hermann	1881-1960	I.G. Farben official, sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment for plunder and spoliation.
Schneider	Christian		I.G. Farben official acquitted of all charges ath the I.G. Farben trial.
Schnitzler	Georg von	1884-1962	SA-Hauptsturmführer - Official of I.G. Farben, sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment for involvement in plunder and spoliation.
Steinbrinck	Otto	1888-1949	SS-Brigadeführer - in addition to being deputy to Friedrich Flick, was a captain in the navy. He was sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment for having membership in a criminal organization. He died in prison.
Tank	Kurt
Tengelmann.	Wilhelm
Tix	Arthur
Uhrig	Heinrich Dipl Ing.
Wagenfuhr	Felix		The main aircraft factory production manager "Arado".
Walther	Fritz		Designer of the Walther PP/PPK and P38
Werner	William, Dr.-Ing.
Wolff	Albert, Prof. dr. Ing.
Wurster	Karl, Prof. Dr.-Ing.
Zangen	Wilhelm	1891-1971	Industrialist and Vice President of the Chamber of Economics in Berlin. He continued to be a successful industrialist after the war.

 

The Goethe Medal for Art and Sciences.

The Goethe Medal for Art and Sciences.

Instituted on 22^nd March 1932

Rarity – Extremely rare

Known Makers – . 835 PR. ST. M. B.

The Goethe Medal for Art and Science was founded in 1932 to reward outstanding service during the Goethe Centennial. It was initially intended to be a one time award but President Hindenburg retained it as a National award and this practice was continued by Hitler. The Goethe Medal continued to be awarded even after the introduction of the German Prize for Arts and Science in 1937, but took a subordinate position in relative merit.

The first type of medal was struck in silver, which was artificially patinated and had a diameter of 62 mm. It had on the obverse a raised edge line, onto the field at the centre was a raised head and shoulders profile of Goethe, with his hair wild, this depiction of him was from the period 1826. To the left in raised capital letters is Goethe.

On the reverse is again a raised edge line, inside this in the upper part is the inscription in raised capitals, Gestiftet im Goethe Jahr 1932, a pellet on either side separates the lower inscription, der Reichspraesident, which translates to, Founded in the Goethe year 1932 by the Reich President. Beneath at the top is a stylised Eagle with a three line inscription in raised capitals, Fuer Kunst, und, Wissenschaft. Under this is an oval ring. Too each side is the stamped letter W and R, the designer’s initials, Waldemar Raemisch. Around the edge, stamped in capital letters was the recipient’s name.

The second type, based on the first, lost its rustic appearance, and was a silver medallion measuring 70 mm with on the obverse a fine raised edge line and the raised profile of Goethe and the name Goethe in raised capital letters to the right. The profile was now just the head and had been softened and the expression aged. The Berlin sculptor Hanisch – Concee was responsible for the design of the medal. His signature is found immediately under the neck of Goethe.

On the reverse was a 1 mm raised edge line, indented by 3 mm was a further 1 mm line forming a tram line. Into this in raised capital letters is the inscription Gestiftet vom Reichspräsident von Hindenburg 1932. Founded by Reich President von Hindenburg 1932. Onto the central field is placed a raised stylised national emblem over the three inscription Fur Kunst und Wissenschaft. The medallion had an artificially added matt smoke effect.

The earlier produced medals had the recipients full name engraved in large block letters around the edge. The later pieces had the recipients name in small block letters preceded by the date of award. The proof mark 835 PR. ST. M. B. was also stamped in very small letters. It was presented in a square case that measured 122 mm, constructed from black simulated leather with an impressed gold line that ran round the edge, with an impressed gold national emblem at the centre. The inside had mauve blue vaulted base with recesses for the medallion and a mauve blue silk lid liner.

The recipient received with the medal a citation. The citation was presented in cream folder that had a large semi closed winged Eagle and swastika embossed in gold onto its centre. It was produced in thick paper, with printed text, that contained the recipients details and date which were hand written. The Embossed great seal of the Reich was placed on the right hand corner, with facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler as Reichschancellor or Führer and counter signed by Meissner.

As of 1st September1944 a total of 595 had been awarded. It was also awarded to no Germans; two examples are Geerto Aeilko Sebo Snijder. He was awarded with The Goethe medal in 1937. In November 1940 he joined the Dutch SS and the NSB in 1941 He was asked by Seys Inquart to found the "Cultuurkring". Intended for better cooperation with Germany. He was one of the founders of de "Nederlandsche Duitsche Kultuurgemeenschap". Ernst Rüdin. He was the director of the one of the first eugenics research institutes, known as Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Genealogy in Munich, Germany. He also headed the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt and the German Society for Rassenhygiene (Race-hygiene) and was one of the first members of the organization who attempted to educate the public on the "dangers" of heredity defectives and the value of the Nordic race as "culture creators."

The Goethe Medal for Art and Sciences and Citation.

 

The German Order - 2nd Class with Swords – Prototype.

The German Order - 2^nd Class with Swords – Prototype.

Instituted on

Rarity – Extremely Rare.

Known Makers – Wilhelm Deumer.

This order is as described in The German Order - Golden Cross with Laurel Wreath and Swords 1^st Class with the laurel wreath and crossed swords omitted.  On to the upper arm is placed an eyelet which is attached to a rhomboid that is soldered to the cross.  Through the eyelet is attached the neck ribbon suspender, this is also the same as that described in The German Order - Golden Cross with Laurel Wreath and Swords 1^st Class, with a piece of wire that passes through the eyelet, instead of the flat piece of Tomback, which forms a hinge that pivots on the central connecting rod.

Through the angles of the cross and under the eagles are placed a pair of crossed swords.  These have a disproportionately broad blade that widens to the thin, upswept quillons.  The quillons measure 10.5 mm.  The handle is plain with a small round ball on the top that forms the pommel.  The swords measure 57 mm from tip to the top of the ball. 

The most striking difference is observed on the reverse where the eagles are plain and the whole of the swords, that encompasses the broad blade with central spine.  The swords and reverse of the eagles are finished in matt gilt.  The neck ribbon is the same as described in The German Order - Golden Cross with Laurel Wreath and Swords 1^st Class.

The presentation case is dark red and void of any distinctive markings.  The interior of the lid is white satin, while the lower section is burgundy velvet, which is compartmented to house the cross and the neck ribbon suspender.

The purpose of this award, if it was anything but a prototype, is unknown.  One theory that can be promulgated is that this grade could have been that awarded to Rudolf Schmundt and Josef Bürkel,  as their citations stated, "Die höchste Stufe des Groβdeutschen Ordens mit Schwertern", and, "Die höchste Stufe des Deutschen Ordens mit Schwertern".  The validity of this theory has yet to be tested and neither of the formal citation documents or the relevant orders awarded to these men has been observed.  So far, only one example of this type of order has been encountered and the theory is put for the student of history to consider.

The German Order - 2nd Class with Oak Leaves and Swords.

The German Order - 2^nd Class with Oak Leaves and Swords.

Instituted on 11^th February 1942.

Rarity – Extremely Rare.

Known Makers – Wilhelm Deumer.

This, likewise, is identical to that described in The German Order - Golden Cross with Laurel Wreath and Swords 1st Class with the laurel wreath and swords removed and an eyelet replacing them.  Through this is attached a set of oak leaves and swords as employed on the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.  The cluster is produced from bronze that is fire gilded.  Its measurements are 22 mm by 21 mm with a thickness of 1 mm.  The swords' measurements are 24 mm by 2 mm with their handles and blades being cut through, the reverse being flat.  The oak leaves are semi dished with the 'paperclip' attachment neatly soldered to the reverse and the tips are gently rounded.  The whole is gilded with a matt texture.

The only recipient of this award was Konstantin Hierl. The document that accompanied the award was contained in a cassette similar to that used for the oak leaves of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.  It was a leather cassette that measured 445 mm by 380 mm and was 40 mm thick.  It had a gold national eagle on the front that measured 125 mm by 165 mm.  This was fire gilded and it also had a border in gold.  The award document that was contained inside was reminiscent to that of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords and measured 420 mm high by 340 mm wide, with the text finished in gold.  This was fire gold on parchment and had an elaborate border.  The top of the citation has an eagle and swastika and beneath the words, 'IM NAMEN, DES DEUTSCHEN VOLKES, VERLEIHEICH, DEM REICHSLEITER, KONSTANTIN HIERL, IN WURDIGUNG, SEINER VERDIENSTE, UM PARTEI UND REICH, DAS GOLDENE KREUZ, DES DEUTSCHEN ORDENS MIT, EICHENLAUB U, SCHWERTERN, FÜHRERHAUPTQUARTIER, DEN 24. FEBRUAR 1945, DER FÜHRER'.  and a penned signature of Adolf Hitler.  The case for the award is unknown but can be presumed to be the same as that described in The German Order - Golden Cross with Laurel Wreath and Swords 1^st Class.

Fake of the German Order - 2^nd Class with Oak Leaves and Swords.