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Medal Bars
Awarded to German Colonial and
Overseas Veterans
This page
shows medal bars worn by colonial and overseas
veterans. A lot can be told about the original owners of
these bars from examining the medals on them.
The China and South West Africa
medals of course indicate that the owner took part in these
campaigns. It should however be noted that the
owners of non-combatant medals rarely served overseas. Non-combatant awards were
usually given
to those employed in essential supply, support, organisation,
shipping or training work back home in Germany.
Ownership of an
Iron Cross indicates that the owner took part in the First
World War (or Franco-Prussian War for 1870 awards).
Ownership of the 1914-18 Honour Cross indicates that the
owner took part in the First World War and was still alive
in 1934 when the medal was instituted.
Having the 1897 Wilhelm I
Centenary Medal shows that the owner was in Prussian or
Imperial (such as the Schutztruppe, Navy and Marine
Infantry) service in 1897. This would indicate they were
born in or before 1878. Having other state anniversary
and jubilee awards such as the 1908 Bavarian or 1902 Baden medals shows they were from that state and
similarly shows their minimum age.
Having a Prussian Order of the
Red Eagle shows the recipient was certainly an officer or
high ranking official, as do most other high ranking
Prussian and state orders. The Prussian Officers Long
Service Award for 25 years service is another obvious sign
of officer status. Likewise having the Prussian first,
second or third class Long Service Medals showed that the
recipient was a member of the other ranks (NCOs and private soldiers,
though most likely an NCO after several years service).
Other awards all tell their
tale. State medals often (though not always) indicate the
home state of the recipient even when in imperial service.
Foreign Medals often indicate having served in or alongside
other armies. Many overseas veterans also had other campaign
medals for the German Wars of Unification or semi-official
medals for individual First World War or Freikorps
campaigns.
For more on the individual medals
and awards see the Medals Page of this website.
Below are shown several medal bars worn by veterans of
colonial or overseas campaigns.
Click on the thumbnails below
for larger pictures and full captions.
Please
respect the generosity of the owners of these bars in
sharing their photographs with us by not reproducing them
without prior permission. |
