This cross was issued around 1920 by the Honorary Union of Saxon Participants in the World War/Union of the Partnership of German Fighters of the Eastern and Western Fronts in Chemnitz. In memory of the bloody battle of World War I, this alliance of war veterans also established the Champagne Cross (blue-black), the Verdun Cross (black-white) and the Argonne Cross (red-black). 2 manufacturers are known who were responsible for the supply of various crosses. The first manufacturer was Fleck & Sohn, Hamburg. (the cross shown here) the 2nd manufacturer was Eugen Lügde, Düsseldorf. Whether there was a change of supplier during the rental period or both manufacturers supplied simultaneously to my personal taste, I do not know. Different in appearance crosses of the Cheap, straight crosses at the Champagne and Verdun cross and straight crosses with medium rounding at the Somme cross are less common. The Argonne Cross is only known from the manufacturer Fleck & Sohn.
These commemorative crosses are not state awards and were received and paid for by the participant himself. Nevertheless, they were gladly worn and endured even on the braces. The rarity also makes them very attractive to collectors, as well as expensive. Often with a matching combat belt or sword.
Silver-plated eight-pointed cross made of non-ferrous metal with a superimposed round middle shield. The crosses have a wide black enameled rim along the edge. Outside and inside, it is silver. The inner sides of the cross sleeves are glazed in golden yellow. A puncture is translucent. Between the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder there is an embossed small ear with a small ring and a belt ring.
Front side:
Downside:
Tape:
.
Front side: Somme Cross
Reverse: Somme Cross
Awards of World War II