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The Political Prisoner’s Cross 1940-1945

The Political Prisoner’s Cross 1940–1945 (Croix du Prisonnier Politique 1940–1945, / Politieke Gevangenkruis 1940–1945) is a Belgian war medal established on 13 November 1947 by royal decree of the Regent and awarded to Belgian citizens arrested and interned by the Germans as political prisoners during the Second World War.

The award’s statute also included provisions for posthumous award should the intended recipient not survive detention, and the right of the widow (the father or the mother of the deceased) to wear the cross.

The Political Prisoner’s Cross 1940-1945 Design

The medal is a cross pattée measuring 37mm wide and is struck in silver.

Its obverse bears a 2 cm in diameter central medallion surrounded by barbed wire with an inverted red enameled triangle with a black capital “B” at its center, representing the insignia internees had to wear on their prisoners’ uniforms that identified them as Belgian political prisoners. The reverse also bears a central medallion but enameled in black and bearing the years “1940 1945” in silver numerals.

The ribbon is 38mm wide white silk moiré with six 3mm wide longitudinal blue stripes 3mm apart from each other, the colors representing the striped prisoners’ uniforms. The cross was suspended by a ring through a suspension loop.

Silver bars with up to four small five or six-pointed stars on them could be worn on the ribbon, each one denoting a period of six months of internment. Many veterans opted instead for small individual silver stars directly affixed to the ribbon. In the case of a posthumous award, a black enameled bar was worn on the ribbon above the others.

The Zeppelin Commemorative Badge

The Zeppelin Commemorative Badge is a badge established in 1920 by the Weimar Republic as a “Badge for Airshipmen.”

Time Period: The Great War, Interwar Period
Institution: 1 August 1920
Country: Germany

The Zeppelin Commemorative Badge is a badge established on 1 August 1920 by Reichswehrminister Otto Karl Geßler of the Weimar Republic as a “Commemorative Badge for Airshipmen”. The badge was awarded to navy personnel regardless of rank who served on naval airships for at least one year. This condition was waived in case of outstanding merits during the Great War as well as for ex-POWs and crews of naval airships destroyed by enemy fire.

The total true aircrew personnel of the Army Airships numbered around 500 during the War, however during it no badges were issued to them (although the plan existed early on, it was canceled). Instead, the badges were manufactured and issued in the Summer of 1920, as ” Commemorative Badge for Airshipmen”.

The Zepplin badge was a post-war badge, its production was begun in 1920.

The Zeppelin Commemorative Badge Design

The badge measures 67.88mm by 38.77mm and was designed by P. Meybauer in Berlin. It’s struck in silver-plated brass.

The badge has a horizontal oval shape with an airship facing left superimposed on a green enameled wreath. The wreath is made of laurel leaves on its upper part and oak leaves on the lower one. The laurel part of the wreath is tied crosswise on its top by a ribbon that forms three semicircular arcs, two facing above and one beneath. The oak portion in its turn is tied with three ribbons.

The Tank Battle Badge

The Tank Battle Badge (or Kampfwagenab-zeichen in German) is a badge established on 13 July 1921 by Dr. Otto Geller in Germany.

The Tank Battle Badge (or Kampfwagenab-zeichen in German) is a badge established on 13 July 1921 by Dr. Otto Geller in Germany. It wasn’t a wartime insignia, but rather an immediate post-war offering.

The medal was created “In order to keep awake among the German people the memory of the battle vehicle units“. The German tanks made their initial combat appearance at San Quenten, on March 21, 1918, at the start of the Michael Offensive known as “the Great Battle in France”. The First Detachment fielded five German-built A7V tanks and the Second Detachment operated five captured British tanks.

To qualify for the badge, a tanker had to have participated in three assaults against the enemy, but this requirement could be waived if the tanker was wounded. Only about 100 of these badges were awarded.

The Tank Battle Badge Design

The badge is a 2 piece silver hollow-core badge made of metal with a dull silver finish. It measures approximately 75mm by 45mm and is oval shaped, with a skull and crossed bones atop an oval wreath of oak leaves on one side and laurel leaves on the other, enclosing a scene of an A7V tank crossing a battlefield with shells bursting above it. The enclosing wreath is tied at the bottom with a bow.

A total of 99 badges were issued. The Berlin firm of C.E. Junker was the first company authorized to produce it. These badges continued to be produced in the 1930s.

The Naval Wound Badge

The Naval Wound Badge is a badge from Imperial Germany established on 24 June 1918 by Emperor Wilhelm II for three or four wounds.

The Naval Wound Badge (or Verwundetenabzeichen für Angehörige der Marine in German) is a badge from IMperial Germany established on 24 June 1918 by Emperor Wilhelm II in the same classes and under the same regulations as the Army badge.

The Wound Badge in Silver was awarded for three or four wounds to members of the Imperial Navy, which were wounded at a sea-fight. Although it was introduced at the closing stage of the Great War, since 1936 all the veterans who were wounded but never received a badge were eligible for that award upon presentation of a documented proof. Another step forward was made on April 20, 1939, when the Ministry of Interior Affairs applied the same procedure to the former military personnel wounded in action during the Great War who were permanent residents of Austria, Sudetenland and Memel, annexed by that time. Thus Army and Naval Wound Badges (model 1918) were presented to veterans until late 1941.

The Naval Wound Badge Design

The badge has the shape of a vertical oval, but unlike the Army Wound Badge it was formed by an anchor chain.

The obverse bears an anchor with two superimposed crossed swords pointing upwards and situated in the middle of the badge. Issued pieces were seamless with a pebbled surface, while privately purchased badges in most cases had elegant cut-out design.

The Bavarian Air Gunner’s Badge

The Bavarian Air Gunner’s Badge is a badge from the Kingdom of Bavaria was introduced in 27 January 1918 by King Ludwig III.

The Bavarian Air Gunner’s Badge is a badge from the Kingdom of Bavaria was introduced in 27 January 1918 by King Ludwig III immediately after Wilhelm II, King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany, instituted similar badges.

The Bavarian Air Gunner’s Badge Design

The badge measures 46.2mm by 70.93mm and is struck in Silver. Of hollow construction, it has four went holes and weighs 26.3 grams.

In the obverse, the eagle has its wings raised, atop target sight, radiant within wreath, and crown above. The maker’s name is stamped in the reverse, which has a vertical pinback and breather hole below the catch.

The Naval Observer’s Badge (Prussia)

The Naval Observer’s Badge is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia introduced in 1915  by the King and Emperor of the German Empire Wilhelm II.

The Naval Observer’s Badge (Beobachter der Fliegertruppe der Marine) is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia introduced in 1915  by the King of Prussia and the Emperor of the German Empire Wilhelm II.

The badge was awarded to naval observers who successfully passed series of theoretical and practical examinations upon completion of the special training. Operational requirements for naval observers were by far more strict than those for army personnel.

The Naval Observer’s Badge Design

The badge measures approximately 48mm wide and 74mm high and is made of guilded medal. It weighs 58.2 grams.

It has a shape of a vertical oval with an outside perimeter surrounded by a wide wreath. Its left side has laurel leaves symbolizing victory and its right side had oak leaves standing for strength and hardiness. Both were joined together with a ribbon bow at the bottom thus signifying a combination of those two qualities. Imperial crown topped the badge.

The obverse of the badge carries an image of an eagle with lowered wings sitting on a rock and facing left. The background shows a sea with rising or descending sun and clouds above. The reverse is either plain or carries an image of multiple straight rays radiating from the center.

Depending on the manufacturer, the badge differs in certain details (for example, some had crown inserts and lower ribbon fragments cut out). The manufacturers’ hallmarks and silver standards were often found on the reverse or the pin.

The Naval Sea Service Pilot’s Badge (Prussia)

The Naval Sea Service Pilot’s Badge is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to qualified NCO pilots during WWI.

The Naval Sea Service Pilot’s Badge is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to qualified NCO pilots during WWI.

The Imperial Air Service Korps eventually consisted of 88 Jastas (squadrons). Prussia formed 67 Jastas, Bavaria formed 10 Jastas, Saxony formed 7 Jastas, and Wurttemberg formed 4 Jastas. All used the Imperial badge with the Prussian crown except for Bavaria.

Naval Sea Service Pilot’s Badge Design

The badge is struck in guilded solid bronze.

Its obverse shows a sea eagle flying over the sea and Helgoland rock.

The Commemorative Flyer’s Badge (Prussia)

The Commemorative Flyer’s Badge is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to retired German Army Air Service flight crew during WWI. 

The Commemorative Flyer’s Badge (or Flieger-Erinnerungsabzeichen in German) is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to retired German Army Air Service flight crew during WWI.

The Commemorative Flyer’s Badge Design

The badge is made from a heavy piece of solid silver and features a dove flying over a landscape. It measures 71 mm high and 44 mm wide and weighs 24.1 grams.

The obverse bears an eagle in flight over a rural landscape, bordered by a wreath made of laurel leaves on the left and oak leaves on the right, surmounted by an imperial crown, tied with a ribbon below. The reverse presents a barrel hinge and tapering banjo-style pinback meeting a round wire catch.

The Observer’s Badge (Prussia)

The Observer’s Badge is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to qualified Imperial German Observers during WWI.

The Observer’s Badge (or Beobachterabzeichen in German) is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia awarded to qualified Imperial German Observers during WWI.

Silver qualification badges were approved by the German Air Service shortly before the start of the First World War. Most wartime crews wore the Prussian designs, with minor changes to the badges worn by Bavarians. There were also variations in quality, particularly between issued versions and those purchased privately.

The Observer’s Badge Design

The badge measures 72.36 mm x 45.47 mm and is struck in silvered brass. In all of the Imperial German Army flight qualification badges, the outside perimeter is surrounded by a wreath. The left side has laurel leaves symbolizing victory, while the right side has oak leaves signifying strength and hardiness. The bow joining them together at the bottom signifies the joining of these two qualities.

The Observer’s badge carries an enameled flag of the German tactical symbol for an Army Corps. Issued badges were thinly stamped and silvered or silver-washed metal. Privately purchased examples can be found in hollow two-piece construction or single massive silver stampings.

The enameled square insignia consists of white, black, and red enamels mounted to the center of the badge via two hooks on the reverse. The insignia is placed within a bed of sun rays and a wreath consisting of oak and laurel leaves, and with a bow on the bottom, and a Prussian crown on the top of the wreath.

The Pilot’s Badge (Prussia)

The Pilot’s Badge is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia instituted in 1913 by the King of Prussia and Emperor Wilhelm II.

The Pilot’s Badge (or Flugzeugführerabzeichen in German) is a badge from the Kingdom of Prussia instituted on 27 January 1913 by the King of Prussia and the Emperor of the German Empire Wilhelm II in conjunction with his birthday.

At some point during the war, and because stamped metal badges become scarce, it’s believed only certificates were issued and aircrew were required to purchase their own badges. While issued badges are thinly stamped and silvered (or silver-washed, an economical alternative) metal, privately purchased examples can be found in hollow two-piece construction or single massive silver stampings.

The Pilot's Badge Award Criteria

The badge was awarded to officers, NCOs and enlisted men upon successful graduation from the flying schools and passing two practical flight examinations. 

One of the examinations consisted of unassisted takeoff and landing. The other was a long-distance or a cross-country flight. The badges were presented by local air station commanders.

What Was Training Like for a Prussian Pilot?

Training to become a Prussian pilot during World War I was both rigorous and dangerous, reflecting the early, experimental days of military aviation. The training process involved multiple stages, beginning with ground school where recruits learned the basics of flight, navigation, and military conduct. This was followed by preliminary flight school, which included about 40-50 flight hours. Cadets had to perform a variety of maneuvers such as sideslips, loops, and simulated uncontrolled falls before graduating​ (Hartzell Propeller)​​ (MyLearning)​.

Some popular aircraft used during the time included:

  1. Fokker Eindecker (E-Series): The Fokker E.I, E.II, E.III, and E.IV were some of the first aircraft used for aerial combat. These were monoplane designs equipped with synchronized machine guns that could fire through the propeller arc, giving the Germans an initial air superiority.

  2. Albatros B Series: An early reconnaissance biplane, the Albatros B.I was unarmed and used primarily for observation and artillery spotting.

  3. Albatros D-Series (D.I to D.Va): The Albatros D.I and its subsequent models (D.II, D.III, D.V, D.Va) became the backbone of the German fighter force. Known for their speed and firepower, these aircraft were used extensively from 1916 onward.

  4. Halberstadt D.II: Another early fighter aircraft, the Halberstadt D.II was used to complement the Fokker Eindecker until more advanced aircraft became available.

  5. Fokker Dr.I: The Fokker Dr.I triplane, made famous by Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron), was renowned for its maneuverability. However, it was also prone to structural failures.

  6. Fokker D.VII: Considered one of the best fighter aircraft of the war, the Fokker D.VII was introduced in early 1918. It had excellent handling, firepower, and structural integrity, making it highly effective in combat.

  7. Pfalz D.III: The Pfalz D.III and its improved version, the D.IIIa, were used by many Jastas (fighter squadrons). They were known for their durability and decent performance but were generally considered inferior to the Albatros and Fokker designs.

  8. Aviatik C.I: A versatile two-seater used for reconnaissance and light bombing missions, the Aviatik C.I was one of the many C-type aircraft that served various roles.

The Red Baron, or Manfred von Richthofen, was a legendary German fighter pilot and fighter ace during World War I.
Replica of Richthofen's Fokker Dr.I triplane, at the Berlin Air Show in 2006". Aircraft & Warplanes

The Pilot's Badge Design

The badge measures 46.00 mm (width) by 70.60 mm (height), weighs 13.5 grams and is struck in silvered brass. In all of the Imperial German Army flight qualification badges, the outside perimeter is surrounded by a wreath. The left side has laurel leaves symbolizing victory, while the right side has oak leaves signifying strength and hardiness. The bow joining them together at the bottom signifies the joining of these two qualities.

The top of the badge mounts either a Preußen (Prussian) crown or a Bayern (Bavaria) crown. These badges were manufactured by C.E. Juncker (Berlin), Meybauer or Pollath and worn on or below the left breast pocket lower than the Prussian Iron Cross 1st Class.

The obverse bears a standard pilot’s badge motive within a wreath, with laurel leaves towards the left side of the wreath, and oak leaves towards the right side of the wreath, separated by a bow on the bottom of the wreath, ordained by the Prussian crown at the top.

The reverse is hallowed and has a vertical needle pinback with a barrel hinge and a round wire catch.