Cross for distinction in war
The Cross for Distinction in War was donated by Grand Duke Friedrich Wilhelm von Mecklenburg-Strelitz on March 10, 1871 and could be awarded to all members of the Grand Duchy who did a great job during the Franco-German War of 1870/71 .
The medal is a silver cross. The crowned and entwined initials of the founder, FW, are surrounded by a laurel wreath . The year 1871 is written in the lower cross arm . On the reverse the inscription BRAVE AND TRUE . When the award was given to other sovereigns, the inscription read FOR BRAVERY .
The medal was worn on a light blue ribbon with light yellow-ponceau red stripes on the left breast. Non-combatants wore the award on a crimson red ribbon with light blue and yellow stripes.
With the outbreak of World War I renewed Grand Duke Adolf Frederick VI. on August 11, 1914 the order. The initials AF were now in the middle and the year 1914 in the lower cross arm .
On January 1, 1915, the order was extended by a class and now consisted of the second class, the previous cross and the first class, a cross with the inscription FOR BRAVERY .
literature
- Ernst August Prinz zur Lippe: Orders and awards in the past and present , Keysersche Verlagbuchhandlung, Heidelberg-Munich 1958