P.F.

Hi, I write to ask for some information on the Romanian Honour Cross of the Order of Merit. I can find very little online. 1. Was this Order given during period 1930-1945? 2. Was it awarded to foreign military personnel (German)? 3. Could someone please post a photo of the Grand Cross during this period? Many thanks Pierce

Lukasz I sincerely appreciate this thorough response to my question. Thank you

Gentlemen, Would someone be good enough to provide the measurements of the following, issued during the Admiral Horthy period: Hungarian Order of Merit- Commander Cross Hungarian Order of Merit- Grand Officer Cross (the neck order) Hungarian Order of Merit- Grand Cross (not the breast star) Many thanks

Hi Peter, Certainly there were many Heer officers with the Oldenburg FA Cross. The West Wall and the field-gre backing made me think Heer as well. I like your other bar also. Good luck finding a device for it.

“Grossdeutscher Reichskriegertag Kassel 1939” Tinnie

Perhaps the comrade of this bar.

Lovely ribbon bar Peter! I don't think we can know for sure if this is a WW1 2nd Class or WW2 awarded grand cross, first class or second class decoration. The ribbons were the same. P.S. You cannot count out the Kriegsmarine. As Andreas says, the eagle devices were the same as the Heer.

Fantastic work Daniel. Do you know if Ballas end the War as Oberst?

Is it not a Landwehr Decoration?

Can you show the entire photo? This looks more like Ludendorff's awards and ribbon bar, not Hindenburg.

Some impressive medal groupings shown here already. I can contribute this this Baden bar.

That's the Swedish Order of Vasa.

Most impressive frackspange.

A fantastic, and very personal grouping Chris.

Yes.

Looks like an Iron Cross and Honour Cross.

Same here. Nothing in the book I wanted to check.

Can you post a photo of the reverse of the bars too please? Yes, it could just be different parts of one family grouping, or most likely just a random assortment brought back after the War. I have one more book to check (Heer) for this name.

Hi Peter, Why rephrase- Mussolini was awarded the German Red Cross Decoration, Grand Cross, Special Class. Not sure on the date, but I would assume 1936/1937, prior to the creation of the German Eagle Order. Re: DAO Grand Cross- check the other thread on WAF. I have had a thought about this. Best Pierce

Ah...I assume he was Army. I will search the Navy Rangliste now. This other info would have saved me a little time. Though I don't believe I have ever come across a KM ribbon bar with the Eastern Front medal...and KM ribbon bars are my main collecting focus.... No sign of him in any of the Naval Rangliste. I would be quite sure he was not in the Kriegsmarine. I think your man was in the Heer. I cannot confirm the name but perhaps someone with some of the 1930s Heer Rangliste can have a look for him. Kind regards Pierce

I cant find him in the 1925 or 1929 Rangliste so he may have been in the Police during the Weimar period. Perhaps if someone has a 1930s Rangliste he may appear there. The combination of awards is not rare so even finding him in the Rangliste doesn't prove much, except that it confirms the awards. Have you more information to offer? For example, how did you come by this name in the first place? There is an Oberst a.D. von Rudgisch in the 1926 Ehren Rangliste but no way if this is the same man. Kind regards Pierce

I thank you both for your replies. I see it is quite complex but the photos above really help my understanding of this Order. Kind regards Pierce

Thank you for your reply though I am a little confused by it. So are you saying if the Grand Cross was awarded during War-time it would automatically have been awarded with Swords?

Another query:- If the Grand Cross was awarded to a high ranking German Officer during War-time would it automatically have been awarded with Swords? Thanks Pierce

Paul, This is certainly a helpful reply. Thank you for taking the time to look that up. Kind regards Pierce