3 Reich - Ostmedaille - Russian Front Medal 1941/42.

3 Reich - Ostmedaille - Russian Front Medal 1941/42.
Commonly Known as "Ostmedaille" (East Medal) or "Russian Front Medal" this award was introduced on the 26th of May 1942 to recognize those who participated in the first winter of Operation Barbarossa (the invasion of the Soviet Union). The mammoth endeavor to attain "living space in the east" for Germany employed over 3 million men separated into 3 Army groups; North (Leeb), Center (Bock), and South (Rundstedt). On June 22nd the German forces crossed the border achieving almost complete surprise and with a powerful punch broke into the heart of the Soviet Union. Despite its initial success, however, this Blitzkrieg would not deliver a quick victory and as summer months passed the fighting only intensified. The end of autumn brought a bitterly cold Russian winter which caught the invasion force unprepared and turned the elements into an enemy as dangerous as the Soviets. Created by SS Unterschrfuhrer Ernst Krauit, the Eastern Medal was to commemorate those who endured these freezing and challenging months.