Band zur Ostmedaille 1941/42 – Preliminary Award Certificate – Polizei-Bataillon 311 (!)

Original wartime “Vorläufige Bescheinigung” for the Ostmedaille “Winterschlacht im Osten 1941/42”, issued to Wachtmeister der Schutzpolizei Alois Mosbacher. Dated 18 September 1942, this document confirms that Mosbacher was awarded the Band zur Ostmedaille, in accordance with the Führer order and Wehrmacht decree of 26 May 1942.

The certificate was issued by Dienststelle Feldpostnummer 14502, a Feldpostnummer directly associated with the infamous Polizei-Bataillon 311. From 15 August 1942, Polizei-Bataillon 311 was redesignated II./Polizei-Regiment 6, comprising the 5th, 6th and 7th Companies. The September 1942 date therefore places this document in the period when the former Polizei-Bataillon 311 was operating as II./Polizei-Regiment 6.

Of particular interest is the original signature of Major Walter Danz, who is documented as the Kommandeur of Polizei-Bataillon 311 during 1942. Contemporary personnel listings place Major d.SchP. Walter Danz as battalion commander during March, April and June 1942, making the identification of the signature especially compelling when combined with the Feldpostnummer appearing on the document.

The document therefore provides an attractive combination of named recipient, Schutzpolizei service, identifiable Feldpostnummer, Polizei-Bataillon 311 / II./Polizei-Regiment 6 connection and the signature of the battalion commander Walter Danz. This makes it considerably more interesting than a standard, anonymous Ostmedaille award certificate and particularly suitable for collectors of Ordnungspolizei, Polizei-Bataillone and Eastern Front documentation.

Condition: Original condition with age toning, folds, handling and storage wear, some edge damage and the original punched filing holes along the left margin. The document remains clearly legible and retains its original official Feldpost stamp, handwritten annotations and commander’s signature.