Commemorative Medal of the Return of the Memel District.

As an aftermath of WW1, an area of East Prussia known as the Memel District with a population of 160,000 people was turned over to Lithuania following the Memel Convention of 1924. It's real place in history came on 20 March 1939 when Hitler demanded the return of the area and the ethic Germans once again to Germany. Surprisingly, the demand was accepted by Lithuania, and the bloodless turnover was affected on 22 March. The historic event was significant for two reasons. First, it marked the last of Hitler's bloodless conquests, bringing an end to the "flower wars ". Secondly, and more importantly, it heralded the advent of Hitler's recognition of Stalin and the Soviet Union. The city and surrounding area were occupied on 23 March 1939 by German troops who debarked by ship. No resistance was offered. Memelland was to play a significant role shortly thereafter when the showdown with Poland over the Return of Danzig came.On 1 May 1939 Hitler ordered the institution of the Commemorative Medal of the Return of the Memel District or Memel Medal as it was commonly called. It was the last in a series of Anschluss medals designed by Professor Klein.The medal was in Bronze only,it was to be awarded to all military, political and civil servants who took part in the return of Memelland.A total of 31,322 medals were awarded. No further awards were rendered after 31 December 1940.Do to the limited number of recipients,the medal considered very scarce

Medal and the case in the worn good condition, case is original in the working condition.