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A German Colonial Medal clasp, Ponape 1910/11, mounted


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This is a fine set of mounted medals which I got in the late 1970s. It is possibly from a policeman in the former German Pacific Colony of Ponape, or from the forces sent to relieve during the uprising in 1910.

The medal bar includes the 1914 Iron Cross on a ribbon for combattants along with the Cross of Honour awarded in 1934. The next medal is the Kolonial Denkmünze with the gilt bar PONAPE 1910/11, set on correct ribbon. It is folllowed by the Faithfull Service Cross for 25 years. The wearer was probably a civiil servant after WW1. The medals are nicely mounted on a dark green cloth backing and in fresh condition, no dirt, no dust.

To compliment this is a photo taken around 1934 of a Policeman from Wandsbek in the between the wars uniform of the Prussian Police, possibly dark blue or dark green. As a veteran, he is wearing the South West Afrika medal with the bar KALAHARI 1908, so he either belonged to the Schütztruppe or the Police in SW Afrika. This photo was made in the Foto Atelier Mercedes Riedel in Wandsbek, and was given to me by the daughter of the house, who took over the business from her mother and which was still open till recently.

Unfortunately the quality of my photos here is not so good.

 

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Further medals from the Colonial Period
Medal for China 1900/01 (Boxer Rebellion), bronze with traces of gilt, mounted for wear, originally two bars, one of which is missing. The reverse inscription is DEUTSCHLANDS SIEGREICHEN STREITERN. The bar 1.Torpedo-Abth. is inofficial and only shows the former unit served in. The missing bar would probably have been TAKU FORTS, which involved naval forces using torpedos. A second version in iron was awarded to non-combattants.

South West Africa Medal 1904/06, this being the version for non-combattants in iron, on replaced ribbon. The reverse states FÜR VERDIENST UM DIE EXPEDITION. The combattant version in gilt bronze is rarer and was worn with various bars, which highly excede the value of the medal itself. The rebellions by Hereros, Nama, Hottentotten and other tribes caused long and continuous fighting under difficult conditions for the SouthWest Schütztruppe and Police Force, with many losses through casualties and sickness. The Hereros were particularly well led, had good tactics and knew the terrain well, and were armed with European weapons.

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Some contemporary artists impressions and Lothar von Trotha, Commander of the Schutzruppe in Southwest

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Improved pictures of medal group added - first part

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  • 1 month later...

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Germans to the Front!  The "Seymour Expedition" was an official campaign bar to the China Medal of 1900/01 (example)

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