The Luneberg Trials began on 17th September, 1945. Officially know as the “Trial of Josef Kramer and 44 others”, this was also known as the Belsen Trial. This is a day pass to that trial issued to Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Frederick Birchall of the 4th Dragoon Guards, for the 11th of October 1945. I also have an IMT day pass here. The trial resulter in Kramer and ten others swinging from a rope.
This is a label from a 100g can of Zyklon-B, the infamous pesticide used in the camp system to kill lice and people. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Schädlingsbekämpfung mbH (Degesch) company had a patent on this material and licensed it’s manufacture to Tesch & Stabenow GmbH (Testa) and Heerdt-Linger (Heli). These two subsidiaries then sold this on to the German Army and the SS for use in barracks and camps. The product was used widely across Europe in the control of lice and other insect pests in barracks and housing. This particular label is for the 100g tin which makes it likely to not have been supplied to the KZ system.
This medal was instituted on 12 February 1951 and could be awarded on either of three ribbons, depending on the type of defaulting the recipient had performed during the war.
In general the medal was awarded to those who refused forced labour or military service, ordered by the German occupant.
A green ribbon with yellow stripes indicate the recipient refused to perform military duties for the enemy, a green ribbon with white stripes was given to those who refused to do work for the Germans and a green ribbon with red stripes was awarded to those who, having been deported to Germany for forced labour and having returned on leave, refused to go back (before 6 June 1944, day of the Normandy invasion).
This is the “Médaille du Prisonnier de Guerre 1940–1945” awarded to all members of the Belgian armed forces imprisoned by the Axis. I have another example of this medal but this particular one has 5 bars on the ribbon indicating the individual spent 5 years in the German camp system.
This is the French medal for Resistance members who were either interned or deported by the Germans during WW2.
This medal, despite its name, was awarded to all victims who were interned in the German camp system. It was also awarded to some foreigners. The ring on this example is correct as it is formed in the pattern of barbed wire.
This is the “Médaille du Prisonnier de Guerre 1940–1945” awarded to all members of the Belgian armed forces imprisoned by the Axis.
This is the French Evader’s Medal. Given to those who fled their labour conscription in Germany.
Kiwi Medals 