Germany, Heer. A 1940 14th Panzer Division Medal with Document by Deschler

Silvered aluminum, obverse illustrating the bust of a left-facing helmeted Wehrmacht soldier, a swastika and the engraver mark "RK" below the bust, surrounded by the inscription "PANZER AUFKLÄRUNGSABTEILUNG 40", reverse illustrating the 14th Panzer Division rune unit insignia in the centre, inscribed "14. PANZER DIV." above, flanked by the dates "15.8.40" (August 15, 1940) on the left and "15.4.42" (April 15, 1942) on the right, framed by two branches of laurel leaves and maker marked "DESCHLER MÜNCHEN" below, 50 mm, scattered silvering wear on the obverse and on the edge, near extremely fine. Footnote: The 14th Panzer Division was formed in August 1940 from 4. Infanterie-Division. It was transferred to Hungary in March 1941 for the Balkans campaign and returned to Germany after that campaign. It took part in the invasion of the Soviet Union and fought on the southern sector until January 1943, when it was destroyed at Stalingrad. It was reformed in Brittany, France, in April 1943 and was sent to the southern sector of the Eastern front in October 1943, where it remained until July 1944, when it was withdrawn for refitting. It was transferred from the Ukraine to Kurland in August and it surrendered there to the Red Army in April 1945.