Germany Awards - 1915 War Merit Cross in Bronze

The badge of honor for merits in the war was established by Duke Bernhard on March 7, 1915. It was awarded in openwork form as a "cross" to officers and as a medal to non-commissioned officers and soldiers, both fighters and non-soldiers on another ribbon. Members of regiments owned by the Duke or Duchess were eligible. These included infantry regiments No. 32 and No. 95. Citizens who served in other units also had the right to serve. Since 1917, the assignment of the 1st class as a plug cross was also envisaged, but this was no longer implemented. The manufacturer was an AWES coin (A.Werner & Söhne) in Berlin. The medals were struck in bronze and by the end of the war, due to lack of materials, were bronze in military metal. In 1918, Chr. Nuremberg-based Lauer took over war metal production.
This award was intended for merits in the war mainly for officers who earned in the war. Non-combatant awards took place on a non-combatant ribbon.

Tinted bronze cross. Crosses with raised edges, the inner sides are finely granular. Between the cruciform sleeves there are 3 small leaf elements of the Saxon diamond crown. Front and back with embossed round central screen. The cross is surrounded by a wide ring at rounded ends. Gaps are punctured. A crown 22 mm high with a wooden lining is attached to the ring from above. A ribbon ring passes through the imperial crown apple.

Front side:

• Central shield with raised edge. It has a big letter - B - for Bernhard.
• The outer ring of the cross is formed from a dense oak-leaved wreath with fruits.
• This is 4 times crosswise tied at the level of 4 cruciform arms.

Downside:

• Central shield with raised edge. It has a Saxon coat of arms.
• Outer ring with raised narrow edges inside and out.
• On the ring, the raised font is higher: - FOR - FOR MERIT -, below:
• - IM - WARS - 1914/15 - in the center of the ring, separated by 2 points.

Tape:

Ribbon 1 fighter: 40 mm wide, edge stripes white/green cross-striped 6 mm, side stripes yellow 6 mm, middle stripes black 15 mm.

Volume 2 Non-combat: 40 mm wide, green edges 3 mm, side stripes white/yellow 4 mm/6 mm, central stripes black 13 mm.

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