Military Merit Medal (Württemberg)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Military Merit Medal , also known as the Württemberg Medal for Bravery , was donated in 1794 by Duke Ludwig Eugen von Württemberg and was intended to be used exclusively by officers for outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy. In 1800 the medal, originally only issued in one level ( silver ), was divided into a silver and gold level and awarded until the end of the monarchy in Württemberg in 1918. In 1806 the award was also made available to men and officers , and from this point onwards it was only possible to award it to officers up to the rank of first lieutenant .

Appearance

Military Merit Medal from the First World War

The round, first of silver, from 1800 made also of gold medal showed up in 1806 by a tied down laurel wreath wrapped initials LE (Ludwig Eugen). On the reverse the four-line inscription Der Bravkeit und Treue, enclosed by an oak wreath .

From 1806 to 1818 the initials FR ( Fredericus Rex ) on top of a royal crown could be seen. Since no awards were made until 1848, it was only at this point that the appearance changed again. Until 1864 the right-hand bust of King Wilhelm I with the inscription WILHELM I KOENIG VON WUERTTEMBERG could be seen. A laurel wreath was used on the reverse, with the three-line inscription FOR BRAVE AND FAITHFULNESS in the middle .

From 1866 to 1892 one saw the bust of Karl I and from 1892 to 1918 the portrait of Wilhelm II with the corresponding inscription.

As a result of the war-related shortage of precious metals, the fineness of the Golden Military Merit Medal was reduced in the course of the war from originally 986/000 to 585/000 to 333/000. The thickness of the medal has also been reduced.

Carrying method

The award was worn on the ribbon of the Württemberg Military Order of Merit on the left side of the chest.

Award numbers

The Golden Military Merit Medal was not only awarded very sparingly because of its high material value. The first awards took place in December 1914. During World War I, the Golden Military Merit Medal was awarded to a total of 4,234 people, including:

  • 1832 to officers and
  • 2402 to NCOs and men.
  • The Silver Military Merit Medal has been awarded approximately 207,000 times.
  • The Württemberg Army comprised around 600,000 soldiers in World War I.

Specialty

A lifelong honorary salary was associated with the award of the Golden Military Merit Medal , provided that the holders were former NCOs or crews. This was paid for by the German Reich . The Federal Republic of Germany paid the owners 25 DM per month from October 1, 1956 .

literature

  • Jörg Nimmergut : German medals and decorations until 1945. Volume 4. Württemberg II - German Empire. Central Office for Scientific Order Studies, Munich 2001, ISBN 3-00-001396-2 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Otto von Moser: Die Württemberger in the world war. 2nd Edition. Belser, Stuttgart 1928, pp. 122-143.