EK 1914 EK in the colonies

[Chris Dale]

Hello learned Gentlemen,

Having just read "For Valour - The history of the Iron Cross and Wound Badge in German Southwest Africa 1914-1918" by Gordon McGregor I'm curious about other EK awards in the German colonies in the First World War.

I know very little about the EK in the colonies generally. I know some Iron Crosses made their way to East Africa on board blockade running ships. I've also seen photos shwoing what looks like Ersatz EKs similar to the Hildegard Order on troops in Cameroon. Gunther Pluschow got an EK for his actions at Tsingtao. But that's about it. I was wondering if anyone knows figures for the total of EKs awarded for service in East Africa, Cameroon and Tsingtao? Were any awarded for actions in New Guinea or Togo?

Cheers

Chris

[militaria0815]

There is no number of awards in the colonies. Awards were made until 1921/22 by the Reichskolonialamt, also for policemen. Unfortunately most records were lost in WW2.

[Chris Dale]

Thanks for the reply MIlitaria,

I understand a lot of official records were lost in WW2. I'll try to look into it some more and popst back here when I find some information.

In the meantime here's a photo of a Schutztruppe officer wearing an EK I. In this case it's Hauptmann Hermann Detzner who evaded Australian forces on New Guinea until the end of the war. This photo was taken after 1918.

Cheers

Chris