Awards for flood relief

During the flooding disaster of February 1962, Bundeswehr units with a total of 7,800 men provide assistance, in addition to the fire brigade and police. They save lives, recover the dead and clear away rubble. Hamburg’s Senate creates a bronze medal for its external helpers three months later. The front of the medal features a stylized coat of arms with the words »Das dankbare Hamburg seinen Freunden in der Not [To friends of grateful Hamburg in its time of need]«. At the end of the year, Interior Senator Schmidt Schmidt participates in a ceremony at the then location of the Officer Academy II, at which around 400 soldiers are honoured for their service. The grounds now mainly house dormitories for the nearby Helmut Schmidt University of the Federal Armed Forces.