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Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

Article about: For lack of a designated Weimar-era sub-forum, I felt it most appropriate to post this thread in the “Imperial Germany and Austro-Hungary” one. The Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbund

  1. #1

    Default Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    For lack of a designated Weimar-era sub-forum, I felt it most appropriate to post this thread in the “Imperial Germany and Austro-Hungary” one.

    The Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes [War Commemorative Medal 1914/18 of the Kyffhäuserbund] is surely the best-known and by far the most common of the many unofficial decorations of the Weimar era. For those unfamiliar with the background of this medal, first a bit of history:

    Since 1917, plans had been made to institute a commemorative medal for participants in the Great War and, after the Kaiser and King of Prussia Wilhelm II. as well as all other German regents had agreed, the actual design process began in July 1918. Just a few months later, the collapse of the German monarchy, the subsequent political changes and the general chaos following the end of the war would put an end to this project.

    However, the Kyffhäuserbund veterans' association felt the responsibility to revive it and in early 1919 made a petition to the office of the Reichs Chancellor towards the creation of a commemorative medal for the Great War of 1914/18. After the matter had been passed through several government ministries and undergone thorough deliberation and evaluation, the Reichswehrminister [Secretary of the Armed Forces] pointed out the various difficulties that the creation of such a medal would involve (not least the cost for an estimated 15,000,000 required medals) and recommended the cabinet not to institute such a medal.
    The cabinet followed his proposal and in January 1921, the final decision was made that there would be no official decoration awarded for participation in World War I. This meant breaking with a long tradition: Such medals had existed since the wars of 1813/1815, but now, following the largest, bloodiest, most severe and most fateful conflict in all of Germany’s history, no such decoration would come to be.

    Needless to say, this fact was extremely unpopular with WWI veterans who felt they were entitled to such a medal just like those who had fought in the earlier wars. (This wish would have been particularly strong in those who had served honorably but had not been awarded any decoration before the war was over.) In order to meet this demand and rectify the perceived injustice, a large number of unofficial decorations sprang up during the Weimar years, some awarded by already-existing veterans’ associations, some by new organizations that had been specifically created for this purpose, some born of genuine patriotic feelings, some primarily from good business sense.

    Naturally, the Kyffhäuserbund, too, created its own medal, and in 1921, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Kyffhäuser-Denkmal [Kyffhäuser Memorial], the Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes was instituted.

    The medal was designed by the renowned German sculptor and medalist Prof. Hermann Hosaeus (6 May 1875 – 26 April 1958), who was a member of the Kyffhäuserbund's board, where he functioned as an artistic adviser ["Künstlerischer Beirat"]. He had also designed the well-known WW1-era “Iron Time” medal given for gold donations.

    The medal was oval, made of gilt bronze and measured 31 x 47 mm. It was worn from a ribbon in the traditional Imperial-era national colors of black, white and red.

    Obverse and reverse view of the full-size medal and a miniature version:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes



    Let's have a closer look at the design. The obverse of the oval medal shows a war-torn banner assaulted by lightning bolts. Above it is the motto “Blank die Wehr / Rein die Ehr” [rouhgly translated: “Shining arms / untainted honor”], on the left the first and last year of the war “1914 / 1918” and at the bottom, the designer’s name “HOSAEUS”:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes


    The reverse features a famous quote by Field Marshal (and honorary President of the Kyffhäuserbund) Paul von Hindenburg , taken from his Armeebefehl [Army Order of the Day] of 12 November 1918: “Aufrecht u. [und] stolz gehen wir aus dem Kampfe, den wir über vier Jahre gegen eine Welt von Feinden bestanden. Hindenburg“ [„Upright and proudly, we emerge from the struggle in which we have perserved against a world of enemies for four years. Hindenburg”] Above this is the dedication “Für Treue im Weltkriege” [“For loyalty in the World War”] and below the words “Der Kyffhäuserbund”:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes



    Obverse and reverse views of a mounted medal:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes



    The medal could be awarded to all members of the Kyffhäuserbund who had served in WW1. Unsurprisingly, combat veterans wanted some device to go with their medal to visually distinguish themselves from those whose service had been in the rear areas or the homeland and so, in 1922, the Frontkämpfer-Abzeichen [Frontline Soldiers’ Device] was instituted. This was a pair of crossed swords made of gilt metal, to be worn on the medal ribbon. Officially, the swords were to be worn pointing upwards, but they are frequently found mounted the other way around, pointing downwards. It is generally believed that this was done by the wearers to symbolize their mourning for the lost war.

    Obverse and reverse view of a mounted medal with the Frontkämpfer-Abzeichen:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes


    However, this was not the final word in terms of ribbon devices. In 1927, the Sächsischer Militärvereinsbund [Saxon League of Military Associations] introduced a series of Schlachtenspangen [Battle-/Campaign Clasps], which proved immediately popular and were soon adopted by the other regional associations, too. There were a total of 76 “official” and another 23 “unofficial” clasps, covering all theaters, campaigns and major battles of the war. However, no more than 5 clasps could be awarded to or worn by an individual.
    Obverse and reverse view of a mounted medal with the Frontkämpfer-Abzeichen and the “OST-GALIZIEN” [EASTERN GALICIA] clasp:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes


    When all unofficial Weimar-era decorations were banned by new laws of 15 May 1934, the medal could no longer be worn, although some veterans ignored this and continued to wear the medal, sometimes side by side with the official decoration instituted that year, the Ehrenkreuz des Weltkrieges.
    Last edited by HPL2008; 03-30-2016 at 04:46 PM.

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  3. #2

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    Some medal- and ribbon bars. Except for the first item, these pictures have also appeared on my thread about the Deutsche Ehrendenkmünze des Weltkrieges. (See: https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/imper...eges-523559-3/ )


    A two-place medal / ribbon bar. The decorations are:

    • Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes [War Commemorative Medal 1914/18 of the Kyffhäuserbund] with Frontkämpfer-Abzeichen [Frontline Soldiers’ Device]
    • Ehrenkreuz 2. Klasse des Preußischen Landes-Kriegerverbandes [Honor Cross 2nd Class of the Prussian State Veterans' Association]


    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes



    A three-place medal bar. The decorations are:

    • Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse [Iron Cross 2nd Class]
    • Deutsche Ehrendenkmünze des Weltkrieges [German Commemorative Honor Medal of the World War] with Kampfabzeichen [Combat Device] (another unoffical Weimar-era decoration, which is often seen side by side with the Kyffhäuserbund's medal)
    • Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes [War Commemorative Medal 1914/18 of the Kyffhäuserbund]


    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes



    A two-place medal bar. The decorations are:

    • Deutsche Ehrendenkmünze des Weltkrieges [German Commemorative Honor Medal of the World War] with Kampfabzeichen [Combat Device]
    • Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes [War Commemorative Medal 1914/18 of the Kyffhäuserbund]


    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes



    A five-place ribbon bar for a Bavarian WW I veteran, neatly mounted in the traditional South German style. Typical for the Weimar era, two official decorations are followed by three unofficial ones.

    The ribbons are:

    • Bayerischer Militärverdienstorden [Bavarian Military Merit Order, 3rd or 4th Class) or, more likely, Bayerisches Militärverdienstkreuz [Bavarian Military Merit Cross, 1st, 2nd or 3rd Class)
    • Eisernes Kreuz II. Klase [Iron Cross 2nd Class] of 1914
    • Ehren- und Erinnerungskreuz des Marinekorps Flandern [Honor- and Commemorative Cross of the Naval Corps Flanders] or Flandernkreuz [Flanders Cross] for short
    • Deutsche Ehrendenkmünze des Weltkrieges [German Commemorative Honor Medal of the World War]
    • Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes [War Commemorative Medal 1914/18 of the Kyffhäuserbund]


    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes



    Finally, a "group picture" of three unofficial Weimar-era decorations for WWI service, showing the Kyffhäuserbund's medal together with the Deutsche Ehrendenkmünze des Weltkrieges [German Commemorative Honor Medal of the World War] with Kampfabzeichen [Combat Device] and the Kriegsehrenkreuz mit Schwertern [War Honor Cross with Swords] as awarded by the Ehrenbund Deutscher Weltkriegsteilnehmer e.V. [Honor League of German Participants in the World War, registered association:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes
    Last edited by HPL2008; 03-30-2016 at 05:33 PM.

  4. #3

    Default

    very interesting HPL,thank you.

  5. #4

    Default

    Just brilliant.............thanks for a comprehensive and expert view of this medal.

    regards

    Tony

  6. #5

    Default

    Here is another three-place medal bar uniting the medal with the 1914 EK2 and the Deutsche Ehrendenkmünze des Weltkrieges.

    The piece shows its age with its wear, patina and moth damage to the backing material.


    Obverse view:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes


    Obverse view with the medals flipped over:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes


    Reverse view:

    Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes

  7. #6

    Default

    Great thread.
    Very informative. I have a few miniatures of these and knew that they
    were from a veteran's association but I never knew the whole story -- Thank you.
    gregM
    Live to ride -- Ride to live

    I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
    myself around.

  8. #7

    Default

    Here is a neat little group showing the Kyffhauser, Ek2, Hindy and
    a gold WB.
    Click to enlarge the picture Click to enlarge the picture Die Kriegsdenkmünze 1914/18 des Kyffhäuserbundes  
    gregM
    Live to ride -- Ride to live

    I was addicted to the "Hokey-Pokey" but I've turned
    myself around.

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