German Awards - Commemorative Cross for the 50th Anniversary of Duppel-Alsen

The commemorative cross presented here was donated on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the battles of Düppel and Alsen in 1914. It can be assumed that Prince Heinrich of Prussia, together with the provincial government of Schleswig-Holstein, was responsible for this fund. In contemporary reports at the celebrations, the prince paid tribute to the veterans present, presumably with a cross. The provincial Landtag allocated 15,000 marks for the celebration. All surviving veterans were personally invited for free rail travel and accommodation on site. About 1,000 veterans attended. On April 18, the celebrations began with a festive procession from Sonderburg to the Duppel monument with the laying of wreaths at the graves. For the holiday, all students received free school education, houses were decorated and lit. The culmination of the celebration took place on June 29 and 30. The venue was the X springboard, on which the transition to Alsen took place. Ober-President of the province of Schleswig-Holstein Detlev von Bülow in his speech vowed firm territorial integration of the territory. The great admiral Prince Heinrich of Prussia promised that Alsen would forever remain German and would be imbued with German essence. The celebration probably also included a celebration of the veterans present with a cross of remembrance. In parallel with this, celebrations were also held from the Danish side from April 17 to 19, 1914 in Copenhagen. Celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the battles took place only on the Danish side. The German government at the time banned any celebrations out of respect for Danes' national feelings. A memorial plaque is installed at Dupel Mill. This was seen as a provocation and filmed by the Germans. 1919 after the defeat in World War I, it was resumed. Danish veterans received annual compensation of 100 kronor per year, starting in February 1914. In Düppel and Alsen, the Germans erected similar monuments. In Düppel, the monument was designed by Oberbaurat Heinrich Strack. The first stone was laid on April 21, 1865, and the opening took place on September 30, 1872. After World War II, it was blown up in May 1945, and the remains were spilled. An explosion on Alsen followed a little later. The cross shown was due to rarity only to be awarded to veterans and is rarely seen on the market. With about 1,000 participants, many more veterans should not have been manufactured and awarded.

A cross made of embossed aluminum in the form of Dupelle or Alsen crosses. Large round medallions. Between straight cruciform shoulders with raised edges, a laurel wreath around the circumference. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a co-embossed and turned ear with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• A raised font is hung on the cross sleeves: at the top - DUPEL -, on the left - 1864 -, on the right - 1914 - and below - ALSEN -.
• Round medallion, with a raised border, in the center with portraits of William I and William II facing left. (foreground)
• Along the edge on the left is the inscription - WILHELM I -, on the right - WILHELM II -.

Downside:

• A raised font is heard on the cross sleeves: at the top - 18. APRIL -, on the left - UP -/- FOREVER -, on the right - UN-/- DISTRIBUTED -, at the bottom - 29. IUNI -.
• Round medallion, with a raised border, in the center with a left-pointing gun with a flag in the background and other devices.

Tape:

33 mm, white edges 1 mm, side stripes black and white, central stripes light blue 20 mm. (other ranges are possible, e.g. Alsen)

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