German West Wall Medal

German West Wall Medal. Bronze oval shaped medal. Obverse: A corner of a pill box surmounted by a crossed sword and spade with a Nazi eagle and swastika at the top, all within an oak leaf wreath. Reverse: The inscription 'FUR ARBEIT ZUM SCHUTZE DEUTSCH LANDS' (For work to protect German land) on six lines within an oak leaf wreath. The medal is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 26 mm brown ribbon that has a white 3 mm stripe near each edge.

Instituted on 2 August 1939 as an award for the designers, planners and over 600,000 workers who constructed the Seigfried Line and other defensive fortifications along the western border of Germany with France. Members of the armed forces who were stationed on these defences prior to May 1940 were also eligible for the bronze award. A second striking was made from zinc in October 1944 as a morale booster for the large numbers of workers and soldiers sent to strengthen the defensive lines along both the western and eastern German borders. This medal is part of a collection of Second World War German orders, decorations, badges and insignia acquired by Flight Lieutenant K G Hesketh, RAAF Historical Records Section, who was based in London, but who made a number of visits to Germany immediately after the Second World War.