Orders, Decorations, Medals and Badges of the Third Reich (Including the Free City of Danzig)

The Third Reich came into being on 30th January 1933, with Hitler's accession to power, and ended with the defeat of Germany in May 1945. The Number of new decorations, medals and badges of honour created during those twelve years may well appear prodigious, but it must be borne in mind that in the matter of national honours, the Nazis were obliged to start virtually from scratch.