Slovakia Slovak WW2 Single Ribbon Bar With Device

[Guest Rick Research]

According to what little I can find, this is the "final" (whatever that means for time period) ribbon of the Slovak War Victory Cross BUT... what does the bronze linden leaves and crest "for merit" device convey?

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Is this a "KVK" rather than an "EK" equivalent... and does the bronze color indicate something about a grade of the award in question, or would all such devices have been the same?

Oddly enough, although I live in a town adjoining one where as recently as the 1970s the Communist government of Czechoslovakia refused visas to anyone from that zip code because of some sort of church collection that had been made there for Monsignor Tiso's regime before the U.S. entered WW2, I have never encountered Slovak wartime awards!

[JBFloyd]

Rick,

These devices are generally referenced only on the 5th-7th classes, and then only on awards without swords. I can find no documentary evidence, but I have always assumed the the device was used for "immediate" awards, rather than those given for length of service.

[Guest Rick Research]

So this was a sort of NCO equivalent of a German KVK?

Maybe now that they are independent again somebody will come up with a reference book on these 1939-45 awards!

[David S]

From

Orders, Decorations, Medals, and Badges of the Third Reich by Littlejohn & Dodkins

Vol 2 - pages 178

[David S]

and page 179 (they wouldn't fit together)

[Guest Rick Research]

Thanks!!!!!