Ernst Schneller Medal.

[Tal Inbar]

What is this medal? who was awarded? Thanks.

[Esteban_cool]

It is a medal of the GST, the DDR paramilitary organization. I don´t know neither why it was awarded, but the reverse of the medal has the answer. Hope one of our german members could translate:

"Für die stärkung der verteidigungskraft unserer sozialistichen heimat"

Hope it helps.

[desantnik]

It is a medal of the GST, the DDR paramilitary organization. I don´t know neither why it was awarded, but the reverse of the medal has the answer. Hope one of our german members could translate:

"Für die stärkung der verteidigungskraft unserer sozialistichen heimat"

Hope it helps.

I'll take a stab - "For increasing the defensive capability of our socialist homeland."

[Taz]

Perfect translation.

This medal was awarded in Gold, silver and bronze and can also be found on an enameled metal suspension.

The "Gesellschaft Fur Sport v. Technick" (GST) was a pre-military training organization.
The GST accomplished pre-military training for youth between ages 14-25, such as the use of rifles, machine guns, map reading, military drill, truck driving and motorcycle riding, parachuting, first-aid, and field sports - not sport for enjoyment, but instruction by active duty NCOs of the East Germany Army (NVA) to shorten the army basic training time. Thus the GST was considered a valuable auxiliary of the East German Army.

Ernst Schneller was a member of the KPD and was executed on the 11th October 1944 at Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

Silver and Bronze early versions.

[Greg Collins]

The medals pictured are, as far as I can tell, the final version produced. Were the suspensions not cloth ribbon and, rather, enameled metal (as Taz pointed out) they would be the first version. Note the insignia on the ribbon- this is the insignia of the GST and will appear on virtually all items associated with the GST.

[Taz]

This is the version in 900 Silver with the enameled suspension as mentioned in the earlier posts.

[Ralph Pickard]

I know that the last discussion on this thread was from 2008. However I wanted to add that former members of the MfS were known to have worn this award.

Taz, also thanks for posting the photo showing a variant of the medal stamped with a 900. I have also seen one that was stamped along the bottom of the rim.

[Hagen]

I know that the last discussion on this thread was from 2008. However I wanted to add that former members of the MfS were known to have worn this award.

Maybe an older thread but new information will bring it into the present real fast! :thumbsup Thanks Ralph

[Ralph Pickard]

Hagen - Thanks for your comments much appreciated.

As a follow up. This award was presented in bronze, silver, gold and ehrenspange. If any members has the Ernst Schneller Medal with the ehrenspange, could you please post it, thanks.

[CtahhR]

The Ernst-Schneller-Medaille was founded in 3 classes in 1961 with the fourth being added on 7th October 1974.

Here is Silver.