The Anschluss, also known as the Anschluss Österreichs, was the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938.

Austria was annexed to the German Third Reich on 12 March 1938. There had been several years of pressure from Germany and there were many supporters within Austria for the "Heim ins Reich"-movement, both Nazis and non-Nazis. In earlier years, Nazi Germany had provided support for the Austrian National Socialist Party (Austrian Nazi Party) in its bid to seize power from Austria's Austrofascist leadership.

Devoted to remaining independent but under considerable pressure from both German and Austrian Nazis, Austria's Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg tried to hold a referendum for a vote on the issue. Although Schuschnigg expected Austria to vote in favour of maintaining autonomy, a well-planned coup d'état by the Austrian Nazi Party of Austria's state institutions in Vienna took place on 11 March, prior to the referendum, which they cancelled.

They transferred power to Germany, and Wehrmacht troops entered Austria to enforce the Anschluss. The Nazis held a plebiscite within the following month – asking the people to ratify the fait accompli. They claimed to have received 99.73% of the vote in favor.

The medal featured here was issued to those individuals who took part in the annexation of Austria.

The design of the medal consists of a red ribbon with three thin stripes (white,black,white) runing down each side. A rectangular support which holds a pin is sewn to the reverse part of the top of the ribbon.

The medal itself is round and silver in color. The front shows two men runing with a flag that has the swastika in the center. An eagle with the wings extended and clutching swatika is found at the person's feet.

The same front design was shared by the memel medal . however, the back design was different.

The back of the medal has the date of March 13th 1938 displayed at the center. The words "Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer" are surrounding the date. The text translates to: One people, one Reich, one Fuhrer.

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.