Hendrik Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 The Dutch Flying Cross was instituted on 28 August 1941. Its central medallion bears the inscription "Initiatief - Moed - Volharding" (Initiative, courage, perseverance) and the date "1941". The reverse is plain but crosses made in Britain during the war have either "Sterling" or "Silver" impressed in the lower arm. The ribbon is clearly based on the British Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) but unlike the British award, the Dutch Flying Cross could also be awarded for achievements performed whilst not in action and even to civilians. The cross was also awarded to non-Dutch flying personnel.[attachmentid=27744]
Hendrik Posted February 17, 2006 Author Posted February 17, 2006 Subsequent awards were recognized by a numeral being placed on the ribbon. However, it is believed another device was proposed at the time but - in my view unfortunately rejected : it consisted of a far more appealing numeral within a pair of wings ...[attachmentid=27745] [attachmentid=27746]
Hendrik Posted February 17, 2006 Author Posted February 17, 2006 ... reverse, marked "STERLING".[attachmentid=27747]
Ed_Haynes Posted February 17, 2006 Posted February 17, 2006 Nice to see these "up close and personal". Were all made by Spink in London? Is there a Dutch striking? (Sorry if this is a stupid question.)
Hendrik Posted February 18, 2006 Author Posted February 18, 2006 Nice to see these "up close and personal". Were all made by Spink in London? Is there a Dutch striking? (Sorry if this is a stupid question.) Hi Ed,As far as I'm concerned, there are no stupid questions ... only stupid answers ! As the decoration was created while the Dutch government was in exile in London, two local manufacturers originally produced it : John Robert Gaunt, with "Sterling" on the reverse andSpink & Son, with "Silver" on the reverse.Some time after the liberation of the Netherlands the Dutch Mint in Utrecht started producing these crosses with a completely blank reverse.
Ed_Haynes Posted February 18, 2006 Posted February 18, 2006 Thank you, sir. As I tell my students, the only stupid questions are the ones you never ask. (They don't believe me.)
ErikMuller Posted June 4, 2006 Posted June 4, 2006 Hi Ed,As far as I'm concerned, there are no stupid questions ... only stupid answers ! As the decoration was created while the Dutch government was in exile in London, two local manufacturers originally produced it : John Robert Gaunt, with "Sterling" on the reverse andSpink & Son, with "Silver" on the reverse.Some time after the liberation of the Netherlands the Dutch Mint in Utrecht started producing these crosses with a completely blank reverse.The 'Dutch strike' has a blank reverse yes, but it also has a small makers mark (a staff of Mercury) on the left rim. Appearantly the two crosses, which were awarded in 2002 to a Dutch and an American Air Force pilot were of the old Gaunt type, which were cleaned and lacquered to keep them clean in the future.
arrestanddevelopment Posted February 8, 2013 Posted February 8, 2013 Picked this contempory framed Netherlands DFC . mounted on POlish Ribbon and arms blackened. Not British made variety cross. possibly KIA ,whilst serving in RAF. No hallmarks that i can see. steve
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