Germany – Third Reich: Eastern Front anti-partisan fighting Iron Cross 1939, 2nd Class, Eastern Front Winter War Medal and Wound Badge in Gold group along with the award certificates awarded to Gefreiten Adolf Zwicker, 2nd Company, Landesschutzen Battalion 663 who was wounded in anti-partisan fighting behind Army Group Centre on 20th January 1942, his wound being severe enough to result in a Wound Badge in Gold and most likely his discharge.
Decorations:
Iron Cross 1939 2nd Class, non marker marked with length of original ribbon.
Eastern Front Winter War Medal 1941-1942, non maker marked with length of original ribbon, some minor corrosion in places.
Wound Badge 1939, Gold grade, with some wear and loss of gilding.
Award Certificates:
Wound Badge 1939 in Gold awarded at a Reserve Hospital on 17th March 1942 whilst serving with 2/Landesschutzen Battalion 663, for 1 wound received on 20th January 1942. Signed by an Oberstabsarzt.
Eastern Front Winter War Medal awarded whilst serving as a Gefreiten on 27th September 1942 and issued by Wehrbezirkskommando Oldenburg
Iron Cross 1939 2nd Class awarded as a Gefreiten (Corporal) with 2/Landesschutzen Battalion 663 at Hannover on 3rd October 1942. Issued by the Commanding General of Wehrkreis XI.
Condition: awards with some wear and minor corrosion, certificates folded horizontally and thus creased across the centre.
As a member of the 2nd Company, Landesschutzen Battalion 663 Adolf Zwicker would have seen service in the rear areas of Army Group Centre during their advance of 1941 and the subsequent defensive fighting of winter 1941-1942. It is likely he was wounded in a partisan attack on 20th January 1942, one of many attacks that took place during the period when the Red Army was attempting to push the Wehrmacht away from their capital Moscow.
His wound may have led to his discharge with both the Eastern Front Winter War Medal and the Iron Cross certificates being issued many months later by local military authorities inside Germany