Order of the German Eagle : Fifth Class breast badge

Order of the German Eagle, Fifth Class breast badge. Obverse: A white enamel Maltese cross with gilded German eagles with folded wings between the arms, carrying the Swastika in their talons. Reverse: The same as the obverse. The cross is fitted with a loose ring suspender, stamped 900 21, and a piece of 38 mm red ribbon which has thin white, black and white stripes on the edges. A gilt brass brooch pin is stitched to the back of the ribbon.

The Order of the German Eagle (Orden vom Deutschen Adler) was instituted on 1 May 1937 by Adolf Hitler. It was awarded with swords to military personnel and without swords to civilians and to deserving 'friendly' foreigners, including diplomats. In December 1943 the Order was restructured from six classes to nine. Originally this medal was a third class award but became the fifth class with the 1943 restructure. This medal is part of a collection of Second World War German orders and decorations 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.