German Awards - William Cross with Swords for Military Merit

The cross was established by decree of King William II on September 13, 1915. It was originally intended for services to people in their homeland and public welfare, then it was also awarded to servicemen with and without swords for military merits. A cross on the ribbon and, as the highest award, a stuffed cross with swords and a crown. On these crosses for military merits on the reverse in the medallion there is an inscription - Military merit -. If the merit was not directly related to the war, then on the medallion of the reverse side there is no inscription - Military merit. William's Cross was to serve as the equivalent of the Iron Cross, especially for services to the homeland. Awarding military personnel in the war with the Order of Military Merit or the Order of Frederick would reduce the importance of awards and should have been made only for exceptional services. Rewarding with a crown and swords suggested former possession of the cross on the ribbon. The cross was not refundable. The number of awarded swords is about 5300 pieces.

Dark oxidized bronze cross. Smooth-edged crosses rounded at the ends. The inner sides are finely indented. Front and back sides with a round medallion (22 mm). 2 crossed swords pass through the center. On the upper cruciform shoulder is a soldered ordinary eye with a ribbon ring.

Front side:

• The central shield is surrounded by an oak-leafy wreath, which is tied with a cross above and below.
In
• a closed field, the letter - W - is in Gothic font.
• On the lower cross sleeve number of the year - 1915 -.
• On the upper cruciform shoulder is a crown.

Downside:

• The central shield is surrounded by an oak-leafy wreath, tied with a cross above and below.
• The inscription enclosed in it is a finely divided field - KRIEGS -/- MERIT -.

Tape:

yellow 35 mm, black edges 2 mm, side stripes yellow/black 4 mm/3 mm.

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