Germany (Third Reich): Winter Battle in the East 1941-2 (Ostmedaille). With maker mark '55'. Popularly referred to as the 'Eastern Front Medal', or 'Winter War Medal'

The suspension ring indented with makers mark '55', for 'J.E. Hammer & Söhne, Geringswalde, Germany'The Eastern Front Medal was awarded to personnel of the Third Reich, for campaign service against the Soviet 'Red Army' & other Soviet services, originally (the qualifying dates were later extended) between, 15 November 1941 to 15 April 1942. It was also awarded posthumously to any service member who died in the line of duty within the Soviet UnionOn 20 January 1943, official qualification for the Eastern Front Medal was extended to include both male and female combatant and non-combatant personnel in the Wehrmacht. Also, foreign members of Wehrmacht units; personnel killed or missing in action and civilians working under Wehrmacht control, including those involved in construction and road building. Geographic limits were placed on the award of east of Ukraine and Ostland or in the Finland area, east of the original 1940 Russo/Finnish border. The Eastern Medal was officially decommissioned by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (German: High Command of the Armed Forces) (OKW) on, 4 September 1944Condition: VF