Bar with the Clasp
of a First World War Palestine Veteran
Photo © Glen Davis
The medals on this bar in order of
seniority from left to right are-
Prussian Iron Cross, second class
Prussian Red Cross Medal, third class
German Legion of Honour Medal worn back to front with
combatant clasp
German Kyffhäuser Medal with "PALÄSTINA" clasp
The original
owner of this bar served in Palestine in the First World
War, probably as part of the Asienkorps. His Iron Cross is
that of a combatant, while he also wears a pre-1917 medal
for Red Cross service.
The German Honour Medal for
the World War Legion of Honour ("Ehrendenkmünze
des Weltkrieges der Deutschen Ehrenlegion") was
instituted in 1921 by the "Verband national gesinnter
Soldaten“ veterans organisation for purchase by war
veterans with an additional wreath and sword on the ribbon
for frontline fighters.
In 1922 the "Kyffhäuserbund der
Deutschen Landeskriegerverbände" veterans organisation
instituted a medal to commemorate service in the First World
War. Until the
1914-18 Honour Cross
was instituted in 1934, the Kyffhäuser medal was often the
only acknowledgement of First World War service for
veterans. It could officially be worn with campaign clasps
such as "YSER", "VERDUN" and "MACEDONIEN", this one has the
"PALÄSTINA" official clasp for service in the Palestinian
Campaign 1916-18. Other unofficial clasps included "KAMERUN",
"OSTAFRIKA", "SÜDWESTAFRIKA" and "OSTASIEN".
Both the Legion
of Honour and Kyffhäuser medal were not officially
recognised awards and in 1934 when the Honour Cross was
instituted, these unofficial awards were banned. This
clearly dates this bar between 1922-34.
Recommended
External Links -
Discussion on this Bar on the Wehrmacht Awards Forum,
GWPDA Page on Post-War Medals and
Kyffhäuser Campaign Clasps at the GMIC |