This medal bar with accompanying miniature chain impressively documents the military and civil career of a German officer, senior civil servant, and party member whose life spanned from World War I through the era of National Socialism. The nine decorations represent different epochs of German history between 1914 and the late 1930s.
The Iron Cross 2nd Class of 1914 forms the beginning of this remarkable collection. Originally instituted by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia in 1813 and renewed in 1914, this decoration was awarded for bravery in the face of the enemy. Over 5 million of these crosses were issued during World War I, documenting their wide distribution among front-line soldiers.
Particularly distinguished is the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Knight's Cross with Swords. This Prussian decoration was significantly rarer than the Iron Cross and was awarded for outstanding military achievements, especially to officers. The Knight's Cross with Swords was the military variant and already presupposed the award of the Iron Cross. The bestowal of this order indicates significant combat actions and leadership achievements during World War I.
The Honor Cross for Combatants 1914-1918, also known as the Hindenburg Cross, was instituted by Reich President Paul von Hindenburg on July 13, 1934. It served to posthumously honor all participants of World War I and was awarded in three classes: for combatants (with swords), for war participants without front-line service, and for survivors. Over 6 million of these honor crosses were issued.
The War Merit Cross 1939 marks the transition to the Nazi era. Instituted by Adolf Hitler on October 18, 1939, shortly after the beginning of World War II, it largely replaced earlier civil merit decorations and was awarded for both military and civilian merit in wartime. The presence of this decoration without higher war orders suggests a predominantly administrative or civilian activity during World War II.
The Olympic Commemorative Medal 2nd Class is a particular rarity. Instituted on the occasion of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, it was awarded in two classes: the 1st class for active organizers and the 2nd class for helpers and supporters of the games. This decoration connects sport, politics, and the propagandistic use of the Olympics by the Nazi regime.
The two Faithful Service Awards for 25 and 40 years of service document an extraordinarily long civil service career. These decorations, instituted on January 30, 1938, were awarded to civil servants, employees, and workers in public service. The award for 40 years was the highest level and testifies to a career that likely began around 1900 and continued into the 1940s.
The NSDAP Long Service Award in Bronze for 15 Years was awarded for long-standing party membership. It was instituted on May 19, 1939, and issued in four grades (10, 15, 25, and 50 years). The 15-year grade indicates party membership beginning around 1924, during the early phase of the NSDAP after the failed Hitler Putsch.
The Medal for German National Welfare, instituted on May 1, 1939, was awarded for services in the field of public welfare, particularly within the framework of the NSV (National Socialist People's Welfare). This organization was the second-largest Nazi mass organization after the German Labor Front.
The combination of these decorations paints the picture of a man who fought with distinction as a young officer in World War I, continued his civil service career in the Weimar Republic, joined the NSDAP early, and served in an elevated position in public service during the Third Reich. The medal bar with a width of 120 mm shows the correct arrangement of ribbons according to the wearing regulations valid at the time, whereby Prussian-Imperial decorations took precedence over republican and Nazi decorations. The accompanying miniature chain was worn with formal evening dress and represents the same decorations in reduced form.
Such medal bars are today important historical documents that illustrate individual life courses and the complex ruptures of German history in the 20th century.
