Bar with the Combatants South West Africa Medal and Clasps
Photo © Peter Klein

The medals on this bar in order of seniority from left to right are-
Prussian Warriors Merit Medal worn back to front
1904-08 South West Africa Campaign Medal for combatants with clasps for "HEREROLAND", "OMAHEKE", "GROSS-NAMALAND" and "KALAHARI 1908"
Mecklenburg-Schwerin Other Ranks Long Service Award, third class for 9 years service

The original owner of this medal bar was an other ranks (probably an NCO from his length of service) combatant in the Herero Rebellion. He wears four campaign clasps for the South West Africa medal, the most interesting of which is the rare clasp for Kalahari 1908. This was awarded to members of the Schutztruppe camel mounted 7. Feldkompagnie and the British Bechuanaland Protectorate Police Force for tracking down Simon Koper and his Nama warriors. The original owner of this bar was therefore probably a member of Friedrich von Erckert's famous Camel Company.

He was originally from the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin but served in the Schutztruppe. The Prussian Warriors Merit Medal indicates that the owner was not Prussian himself and the Mecklenburg-Schwerin Long Service Award confirms it.

Recommended Reading - "German Medals, British Soldiers and the Kalahari Desert" by Gordon McGregor and "Unter dem Kreuz des Südens" by S Schepp