World War One Central Powers Artifacts
The Central Powers began the Great War as the “Triple Alliance”, with Germany, The Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Italy being its members. Before their eventual defeat at the hands of allied forces, Italy had switched sides, the Ottoman Empire joined the Central Powers as well as Bulgaria, and the conflict truly became a World War. Both the Ottoman Empire, and the Austro-Hungarian empire would be dissolved at the end of the war, ending nations that withstood centuries of conflict, now partitioned into several new states. This gallery shows artifacts tied to these respective powers, and it showcases medals such as a German Iron Cross Second Class, an Ottoman Officers Gallipoli Service Star, and an Austro-Hungarian Merit cross.
Medal Name: The Honor Cross of the World War (Hindenburg Cross)
Date: July, 1934-1944
Nation of Origin: German Weimar Republic
Note: The medal was first established by order of German President, and former field Marshal of the Kaiserreich Paul Von Hindenburg as a decoration for those who had served in the Great War. the medal would either go to survivors, or to their next of kin. The medal in this collection has the ribbon color of a medal intended for either the widows, or the parents of a soldier killed in action. The fledgling Weimar republic would be overtaken by the Nazi party shortly after the introduction of the “Hindenburg Cross”, and it would be by personal order of Adolf Hitler himself awarded until 1944.
Medal name: German Wound Badge (Black)
Date: March 1918-Present Day
nation of Origin: Kaiserreich (Imperial Germany)
Note: The Wound Badge was first instituted by German Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1918, and it was only awarded for receiving a wound during action. The medal would come in tree different grades; Gold, Silver, and Black (Iron). This Black Wound badge would have been awarded to any soldier wounded in action once, or twice, and it would later be expanded to include any civilians who were wounded as a result of bombing raids. The medal would then be appropriated by the Nazi Party, was denazified in 1957, and is now in service with the modern Bundeswehr.
Medal Name: German Wound Badge (Gold)
Date: March 1918-Present Day
Nation of Origin: Kaiserreich
Note: The gold version of the german wound badge shares almost all of the characteristics of he previously mentioned Black variant, but it was only awarded to those wounded in action five or more times. A rare, and somewhat gruesome medal, the gold variant of the wound badge begs the question of what the recipient must have endured in order to obtain it, and the story behind this medal has unfortunately been lost to time.
Medal Name: German Zeppelin Commemorative Badge
Date: 1920
Nation of Origin: German Weimar Republic
Note: This badge was first introduced in 1920 by the Reichswehrminister of the Wiemar Republic Otto Karl Gebler, and was named as the “Commemorative Badge for Airship-men”. According to IdentifyMedals.com, the medal was initially introduced during the Great War, but plans to implement the medal were scrapped, and so it earned its name as a “Commemorative” Medal. The version on display here is the Naval Airship variant, and it was awarded for minimum of one year service, although these conditions could be waved in favor of either particular merit shown in action, or for surviving being shot down by enemy fire.
Medal Name: Brunswick Cross
Date: October 1914-1918
Nation of Origin: Duchy of Brunswick
Note: The Duke of Brunswick, Ernest Augustus, created the cross originally as a medal attached to a blue and yellow stripped ribbon, and it was awarded for “Distinction in War”. A First class variant would be added in 1918 with a pin-back style cross as seen on display here, and the remaining medals with the ribbon would be considered the Second class of the medal. The medal would be discontinued with the end of the Great War, and the Duchy of Brunswick would be dissolved at the end of the war as it was incorporated into the newly formed Weimar Republic as a “Free State of Brunswick”.
Medal Name: Prussian Merit Cross for War Aid
Date: December, 1916
Nation of Origin: Prussia
Note: This particular medal is has a very interesting set of requirements in order to receive it, in that this medal does not recognize rank, or any particular merit. This medal was awarded for “Contributing aid to the war effort”, and so the recipients of this award could vary widely. It was often awarded to women for labor work, agricultural yield, and for making packages for the soldiers at the front to name a few of the other occupations capable of receiving this award.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
