German Awards - Merit Cross 2. Lübeck Land Military Union

The Cross of Merit was probably established on the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Lübeck Landeskrieger Union. The specific date of foundation is not yet known to me. Most often, awards were presented on round anniversaries. Members were awarded for special services or even sponsors. In other national military unions, the condition for receiving an award on application was long-term membership for 5 or 10 years. The Union of Warriors of the Earth consisted at the founding of the Kiefhauser Union of only 16 clubs with 2815 members. The 1st Class Cross of Merit was a knotted cross with oak leaves (3 leaves) on the upper cross sleeve and was awarded for especially outstanding services. The design largely echoes the Prussian honorary cross of Kriegervains. Membership badges were made by H. Timm in Berlin, suggesting that merit crosses have the same manufacturer. Due to the small size of the bandage, crosses are rare and expensive.

A cross made of silver-plated non-ferrous metal in the form of an Iron Cross. The cruciform shoulders with raised edges are smooth inside and slightly curved inward at the ends. Between the cross sleeves is a 3-row oak-leafy wreath. In front is an embossed enameled shield. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

In the
• center is a figured silver curb shield. The upper corners are beveled.
• On a diagonal white/red transulently enameled shield is a Lübeck double-headed eagle.
• Under the red enamel you can see a puncture. Eagle and letter in silver.
• Curved above - LANDESKRIEGERVERBAND -, curved below - LEBECK -.

Downside:

In the
• center is a round central shield with a raised smooth edge.
• Inside along the edge is a pearl cord. In a closed, smooth field, 5-line font in a crack:
• Great - For -/- Merit -/- (smaller) in -/- Union of warriors -/- Creature -.

Tape:

30 mm wide white/red in half.

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