Steve Nick
Well-known member
In August of 1914 the Free Hanse Towns of Hamburg, Bremen and Lubeck had no existing military equivalents to the Prussian Iron Cross although they had instituted a joint medal for the war against Napoleon in 1815.
The three Free Towns therefore created Military Merit Crosses for the Great War which were authorized by the governing bodies of the three towns as follows; Lubeck on August 21st 1915 for award to serving or former members of the 2nd Battalion 162nd Infantry Regiment, by Hamburg on September 10th for award to serving or former members of the 76th Infantry Regiment and by Bremen on September 14th , 1915 for award to serving or former members of the 75th Infantry Regiment.
The awards could also be awarded to members of the crews of the warships Hamburg, Bremen and Lubeck plus citizens serving in other units or in voluntary nursing units in the three towns.
When awarded for bravery or combat merit, it was the three cities' equivalent of the Prussian Iron Cross.
There were approximately 50,000 awards of the Hanseatic Cross of Hamburg, the largest Hanseatic city. The Bremen Hanseatic Cross was awarded approximately 20,000 times. Lübeck was the smallest of the Hanseatic cities, and its Hanseatic Cross was awarded approximately 9,000 times making it the rarest of the three awards.
The reverse is inscribed "Fur Verdienst im Kriege 1914". (For Meritorious Service in the War)
The three Free Towns therefore created Military Merit Crosses for the Great War which were authorized by the governing bodies of the three towns as follows; Lubeck on August 21st 1915 for award to serving or former members of the 2nd Battalion 162nd Infantry Regiment, by Hamburg on September 10th for award to serving or former members of the 76th Infantry Regiment and by Bremen on September 14th , 1915 for award to serving or former members of the 75th Infantry Regiment.
The awards could also be awarded to members of the crews of the warships Hamburg, Bremen and Lubeck plus citizens serving in other units or in voluntary nursing units in the three towns.
When awarded for bravery or combat merit, it was the three cities' equivalent of the Prussian Iron Cross.
There were approximately 50,000 awards of the Hanseatic Cross of Hamburg, the largest Hanseatic city. The Bremen Hanseatic Cross was awarded approximately 20,000 times. Lübeck was the smallest of the Hanseatic cities, and its Hanseatic Cross was awarded approximately 9,000 times making it the rarest of the three awards.
The reverse is inscribed "Fur Verdienst im Kriege 1914". (For Meritorious Service in the War)