German WW1 Battle of Somme 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 Somme cross was issued to commemorate participation in one of the major, longest and most bloody battles of the Great War - the battle of Somme, that was fought on the Western front between the German and French armies from 1'st of July - 18th of November 1916. The battle of Somme lasted 4 months, 2 weeks and 3 Days. The battle had over 400.000 casulties.
Obverse has arms of the cross enameled black at the edge and Orange at its centre separated by thin silver lines. A half round inscription "Somme" 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 the Somme 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 the Somme Cross like vast majority of other unofficial Weimar-era commemorative and honor badges was prohibited to be worn.
Approximately 3,000 crosses were issued.
Scarce medal which is hard to find complete with original ribbon!!
145.00€
German WW1 Battle of Somme Commemorative Cross
[IMP20013]
