Description
Prussian WW1 Merit Cross for War Aid
The Prussian WW1 Merit Cross for War Aid (Verdienstkreuz für Kriegshilfe) was a German medal that was established in 1916 by Kaiser Wilhelm II. It was awarded to civilians who contributed to the war effort, such as nurses, doctors, volunteers, workers, and officials. The medal was designed by the sculptor and medallist Emil Fuchs, and it was made of bronze or zinc. It had a cross pattée shape with a circular medallion in the centre, bearing the imperial crown and the inscription “FÜR KRIEGS-HILFSDIENST” (For War Aid Service). The reverse had the date “1916” and a laurel wreath. The medal was worn on the left chest with a red ribbon with white and black stripes.
Criteria and Recipients
The Merit Cross for War Aid was awarded by the Prussian Ministry of War, the Bavarian War Ministry, the Saxon War Ministry, and the Württemberg War Ministry. The criteria for the award varied depending on the region and the type of service. Generally, the medal was given to those who served for at least one year in a war-related occupation or organization, such as the Red Cross, the National Women’s Service, the War Welfare Office, the War Economy Office, the War Raw Materials Department, or the War Press Office. The medal could also be awarded for special merits or achievements in the war aid service, such as saving lives, inventing useful devices, or organizing relief efforts. Some notable recipients of the medal were the physicist Albert Einstein, the chemist Fritz Haber, the novelist Thomas Mann, the poet Rainer Maria Rilke, and the actress Marlene Dietrich.
Legacy and Controversy
The Merit Cross for War Aid was one of the most common German decorations of World War I, with about 700,000 medals awarded. It was also one of the few German medals that could be worn after the war, as it did not have any military or political connotations. However, the medal also faced some criticism and controversy, both during and after the war. Some people regarded the medal as a cheap and meaningless token, given to too many people for too little merit. Others saw the medal as a symbol of the war propaganda and the militarization of the society, and refused to accept or wear it. Some recipients of the medal, such as Einstein and Mann, later became outspoken pacifists and critics of the German war policies.
