German WW1 Battle of Champange Commemorative Cross.
This serie of awards was created by the Ehrenbund der Champagnekämpfer veterans association in 1920 and was awarded to veterans who participated in either the Somme, Verdun, Argonne, Champagne battles, or on the Eastern Front. All were made by the same maker and were privately purchased by the veterans.
The Champagne Cross was issued to commemorate participation of German soldiers in the Second Battle of the Marne, the last major German spring offensive on the western Front during the WWI (July 15 – August 6, 1918) against British and French forces.
Obverse has arms of the cross enameled black at the edge and blue at its centre separated by thin silver lines. A half round inscription "Champagne" executed in silver capital letters is running at the top of the central medallion accompanied by the dates of the Great War, "1914 1918" placed in two rows beneath. The cross is in Good condition, has its enamels intact and comes complete with its original ribbon. The cross is correctly makermarked to its reverse "Fleck & Sohn, Hamburg 3, Ges.Gesch."
Like all the other badges manufactured during the Weimar era Champagne Cross had to be privately purchased by veterans upon presentation of award documents issued either by Dusseldorf (1932) or later by Chemnitz-based (1933-1934) divisions of the above mentioned Saxon association.
After an institution of an official WWI veterans award, i.e. The Hindenburg Honor Cross on July 13, 1934 Champagne Cross like vast majority of other unofficial Weimar-era commemorative and honor badges was prohibited to be worn.
Approximately 3,000 crosses were issued.
Rare medal which is hard to find complete with ribbon!!
125.00€
German WW1 Battle of Champange Commemorative Cross
[IMP20015]
