Netherlands Dutch TMPT cross

[Herman]

Hi, I am enclosing a picture of the Dutch TMPT cross.

It is an official Dutch medal since 1952. TMPT means: Two days Military Physical Endurance Trials (in Dutch: Tweedaagse Militaire Prestatie Tocht). When you pass the trials at the end of day 2 you are awarded this cross. The organiser of the trials and the issuer of this cross is the Dutch Reserve Officers Association (KVNRO).

I am looking for fellow collectors with this cross in their collection. If you do, please post a nice detailed picture of it of the front and back.

At the moment i am studying this cross, the variations, the different makers and its history.

FYI. The first crossed were issued in the Netherlands in 1936 till 1939. In 1940 and 1941 a Netherlands East Indies version of te trials were held. After WW2 in 1955 the trials were restarted till now. Once a year the trials are held.

The picture i enclose is a 1937 version from my own collection.

Thanks in advance.

Herman

[Herman]

Or does anybody has nice pictures of this cross and wants to share them in this topic.

Anyone ??

regards

Herman

[Herman]

Thought I gave this one another push.

So, who has seen one or own one.

Please post the picture.

best regards

Herman

[Herman]

The cross also exists in silver with blue enamelled arms. This means 10 times passing the tests of the two days endurance trial.

Around 100 have been issued. The first was issued in 1963. The last one was given this year in May.

Herman

[Herman]

and this is the one given when you succeed in 25 times passing the Two Days Military Endurance trials. Red enamelled arms of the cross.

Only 7 are given sofar. The last one in 2003.

Herman

Edited September 28, 2010 by Herman

[Hugh]

Can you tell us a little about the content of the tests? What's included?

[speedytop]

Hi Hugh,

Can you tell us a little about the content of the tests? What's included?

Please see here, you can change to the English version:

http://www.tmpt.nl/

uwe

[Hugh]

Hi Hugh,

Please see here, you can change to the English version:

http://www.tmpt.nl/

uwe

Thanks for this. Sounds like a rigorous couple of days. Are the standards for men and women the same?

[Herman]

As you can read at the site, you have to partner up. A team of 2 is necessary to compeed in the trials. If a team exists of 2 women, the standards are a bit lower. Also for personell with an age of 45 years and older the lower standards apply. But if a woman or an elder man partners up with somebody of 44 years or less than both go for the whole heavier lot.

I participated 21 times now and hope to reach at least 25 participations. Well just do it as a famous commercial says.

For all you boys and girls in the military: Please participate. Its fun...... as my buddy says: "I love the TMPT 363 days a year. The 2 I participate are not that funny."

Anyway: Nobody has one in his/her collection??

best regards

Herman

[Herman]

btt

[turtle]

Beautiful medal! I would be really interested in participating, but I think you need some serious training before even considering to participate!

[Herman]

Yup, you have to train the bicycling, the obstacle course, navigating, shooting, grenade throwing and so on and on.

But you don't have to be of Olympic standards. Give it a try I say.

regards

Herman

Added a picture of a Dutch ribbon bar with the last ribbon being the TMPT.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Herman

[Herman]

How about this one hidden in a large group.

[turtle]

Very impressive medal bar!

I´m more and more considering a try in 2015 ....

[Herman]

Oké, just one more for the fun of it!

[Herman]

How about this one

[Herman]

As the cross is also the logo of the Dutch Reserve Officers Association (KVNRO) they own this cross and its form.

So, in the 1960-ties the National Board of this association decided to award this cross to people who were worthy to be merited by the board.

This meant that now and then an important general in the eyes of the association or a very busy reserve officer received this cross.

As you can see at the picture it is very close to the ten participations cross. The only difference is the closed laurel added to the ribbon.

Please note that you did NOT have to do the physical TMPT to receive this cross.

Herman

[Herman]

This is an issued TMPT cross after 25 succesfull participations.

Please note the arms are painted instead of enamelled.,,,,,, cost efficiency?!?

 

 

[SGM97B]

I have earned this award. I was an American Soldier assigned to the Dutch army for three years. I was 52 when I did the competition and it was do-able but difficult. It is done by two-person teams, which helped since my Dutch language abilities were not fluent.  As far as the current committee knew, I was the only American to earn the award in their current known history. But considering how many U.S. soldiers have been in The Netherlands since WWII I find it doubtful that I am actually the only one; maybe just the only one recently. Their records went back 20 some years they said.

[Herman]

Let's revive this old topic.

 

@SGM97B, well done. Indeed you are one of the few US miltary to participate and succeed. 

 

I enclose a picture of one of my favorite medal sets. This set is from a Dutch Colonel who was the first to reach 25 succesfull participations. At this moment only ten people succeeded to reach this number and qualified for the red enamelled cross.

 

 

Regards 

Herman 

[Herman]

My own medalset as of now with the red enamelled TMPT cross.

 

Regards 

Herman