German Awards - 1914 Military Merit Cross for Women

The Military Merit Cross for the 1st World War was established on February 28, 1915 by the Grand Duke Friedrich Franz IV. founded and dated August 2, 1914. In addition to the crosses of the 1st and 2nd. The cross was also updated for women in a reduced form. Women were awarded for their services in caring for the wounded. For the first time, crosses for military merit were awarded to women in 1864 in the war against Denmark to high-ranking ladies who earned themselves merits in caring for the wounded. During the War with Austria 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War 1870/71, the award was renewed for women. The cross was worn on a female loop. Military merit crosses with different year numbers were not awarded to women in a reduced form. Military merit crosses are extremely rare for women, especially for early award periods. On the crosses of military merit of the 1st World War, the former reverse became the obverse. As for women's crosses, this was probably not paid attention to, like this specimen. For the 1st World War, only 13 awards were made. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen bis 1945, vol. II, 1997.

Gilded cross in bronze. Along the edge of the cruciform shoulders is a raised shaded edge. The insides are cut. On top is a soldered eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• On the cross sleeves at the top is a crown, at the bottom is the year 1914 -, in the center - FF -.
• (for Friedrich Franz)

Downside:

• On the cross sleeves at the top: - FOR -, in the center: - REWARD - IM -, below: - WARS -.

Tape:

• Width 26 mm, side stripes yellow/light blue 2.5 mm each, central stripes red.

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