Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a lovely example of German WWII Heer Army Gedenkplatte (Commemorative Plate), made to celebrate the wartime Christmas of 1940. The plate measures 8 1/8" in diameter, and was made by famous ceramic maker Villeroy & Boch, which has a history going back almost 300 years. It has a clear glaze over beige ceramic, and is marked with the following inscription:

Kriegs-Weihnachten 1940

(Iron Cross)

Tapfer und Treu!

79. Infanterie-Division

This translates to "Wartime Christmas 1940, Brave and Loyal!, 79th Infantry Division", a typical message seen on one of these plates. The rear of the plate shows the VILLEROY & BOCH / METTLACH maker logo, and we can also see 4081 and ME / 41 stamped into the plate under the glaze, which may indicate 1941 manufacture. The company is well known, especially for their "Mettlach Tiles", known worldwide. There are two holes on the back of the plate where a hanger could be installed, however they are empty.

Overall condition is very good, and this would make a great addition to any German WWII Porcelain Collection. Ready to display!

The 79th Infantry Division began mobilization on March 1, 1939, as a part of the second German "wave" system of mobilization. The "wave" was the German designation for groups of infantry divisions raised at approximately the same time, with approximately the same type of organization, equipment, personnel and training. Raised from Rheinlanders in the German Military District (Wehrkreis) XII, and headquartered in Wiesbaden, the home station of the 79th was Koblenz. It was designated as a Division on August 26, 1939. Assigned to the French-German border in the Saar region, the 79th trained and worked on the West Wall. The Division saw action against the French on the Saar Front on May 10, 1940, when it was part of the invasion forces. In June, the division participated in attacks on the Maginot Line and the capture of Epinal. The Cross of Lorraine (Lothringer Kreuz) was designated as the symbol. Unteroffizier Werner Psaar stated that since the division's first combat was mainly in the Lorraine region, this is what led to the symbol. From June 1940 until April 1941, the division was on occupation duty and trained for Operation Sea Lion - the projected invasion of Great Britain. The 79th was relocated to Klagenfurt in April 1941 but was too late for the invasion of Yugoslavia.

On 16 June 1941, orders were issued by OKW for the 79th Infantry Division to be transported to the Eastern Front starting 22 June.

The Division was assigned to Army Group South for Operation Operation Barbarossa on June 26, 1941. From June 1941 until September 1942, the 79th fought in southern Russia.