Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.

After World War I, Upper Silesia was contested by Germany and the newly-independent Second Polish Republic. The League of Nations organized a plebiscite to decide the issue in 1921, whose results (disputed by Poland) were skewed by the German population and therefore wished to remain part of Germany. Following the third Silesian Uprising (1921), however, the easternmost portion of Upper Silesia (including Katowice), with a majority ethnic Polish population, was awarded back to Poland, where it was formed into the Silesian Voivodeship.

The Prussian Province of Silesia within Germany was then divided into the provinces of Lower Silesia and Upper Silesia. Meanwhile Austrian Silesia, the small portion of Silesia retained by Austria after the Silesian Wars, was mostly awarded to the new Czechoslovakia (becoming known as Czech Silesia), although most of Cieszyn and territory to the east of it went to Poland.

The item featured here is a WWII German Silesian eagle order.

This medal has a beautiful design. The ribbon is yellow in color and has a wide white stripe runing down the middle. The medal itself is in the shape of an eagle. The wings are in the resting position. The eagle is standing atop a sign that reads "Fur Schlesien". A half moon with a cross in the center is located in the chest area. a pair of golden crossed swords rest above the head of the eagle.

The back of the medal is plain and smooth. There are no markings on this example.

This award is currently being reproduced. It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this badge. Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of the badge.