German WW1 Battle of Argonne Commemorative Cross.

German WW1 Battle of Argonne Commemorative Cross.

This serie of awards was created by the Ehrenbund der Champagnekämpfer veterans association in 1920 and was awarded to veterans who participated in either the Somme, Verdun, Argonne, Champagne battles, or on the Eastern Front. All were made by the same maker and were privately purchased by the veterans.

The Argonne cross was issued to commemorate participation in one of the most important battles faught during the 1918 Campaign at the final stage of the Great War, that at the Argonne forest from September 26 to October 13, 1918. German forces showed bravery in the field opposing superior units of Entente allies that consisted of British, French and Amarican detachments.

Obverse has arms of the cross enameled black at the edge and black at its centre separated by thin silver lines and fields of Red enamel. A half round inscription “Argonnen” executed in silver capital letters is running at the top of the central medallion accompanied by the dates of the Great War, “1914 1918” placed in two rows beneath. The cross is in Good condition, has its enamels intact and comes complete with its original ribbon. The cross is correctly makermarked to its reverse “Fleck & Sohn, Hamburg 3, Ges.Gesch.”

Like all the other badges manufactured during the Weimar era the Argonnen cross had to be privately purchased by veterans upon presentation of award documents issued either by Dusseldorf (1932) or later by Chemnitz-based (1933-1934).

After an institution of an official WWI veterans award, i.e. The Hindenburg Honor Cross on July 13, 1934 the Argonnen Cross like vast majority of other unofficial Weimar-era commemorative and honor badges was prohibited to be worn.

Unknown numbers awarded, this is the hardest and most saught after cross in the serie of Battle/Campaign awards.

SCARCE medal in very good condition!!