Hi /r/askhistorians!
Recently, a small collection of WW2 era Nazi items came into my possession and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me anything about them. I did a little research myself and found some info on a few of the items but I'd like to know more about them.
I learned that the mothers medal is awarded to mothers who gave birth to/appropriately raised 4 or more children.
I couldn't find any info on this medal.
I believe this medal is awarded for a certain number of years of service to the Nazi party. I'm not sure how many years.
Medal #4 - Service Medal (gold)
I think this medal is the same as medal #3, awarded for service to the Nazi party.
I believe the first armband is a Hitler Youth armband. The 2nd armband in this album is in very good shape. Is it possible that it's a reproduction?
I learned this was a Nazi Sports patch. I wasn't able to learn what it was for.
This is a book that documents the work history of each German citizen. I learned that this is the 2nd of three styles that the book came in.
I haven't learned anything about these items yet.
Several newspapers from 1943. One of the newspapers features a picture of Hitler and Herman Goering.
Bonus! - US Stars and Stripes Newspapers
Several Stars and Stripes newpapers from 1946.
Here's the full album of images for anyone interested
Any info is appreciated!
Cheers
Medal #2 is the badge of the Reichsarbeitsdienst These are the men you see drilling with shovels in films of the Nuremberg rallies.
The newspapers date from around the time of the fall of Stalingrad- in fact the first mentions it directly. The headline is "Defence of Eternal Values unto Death- Europe stands in reverence of the hero-victims of Stalingrad- `Stalingrad will remain for ever a shining (memorial?) of the new Europe' ".
The papers metion Total War a good deal, which was also the subject of a famous speech by Goebbels at this time- the Sportspalast speech. It looks like the ground is being prepared for that speech.