History

The Commemorative Medal of 13 March 1938 was instituted on March 13th, 1938, to commemorate the German occupation of Austria and its incorporation into the German Reich. The Medal was conferred upon all individuals who helped facilitate Austria’s incorporation into the Reich, as well as to Austrian Nazis and their supporters. The decoration was also conferred upon the widows of Austrian Nazis who had died during the political struggle for Anschluss or had been executed.

The Model I decoration was produced in a small number but it was never awarded.

As of December 31st, 1940, the Model II decoration had been issued 318,689 times.