Spanish War Cross

Spanish War Cross breast star (1938–1942) with the motto "Al Merito en Campana" (for merit in the campaign). The decoration with a diameter (from tip to tip) of 60 mm is a solid silver eight-rayed star with brilliant, oxidized rays and shows a golden cross in the middle, the ends of which widen into a paw of three right angles and are each decorated with a figure. The left and right arms of the cross show a lion as a figure. The lower arm of the cross is filled with a castle of the Spanish coat of arms, the upper one with a crown. The arms of the cross themselves are net-like in pattern and their edge is slightly raised and polished. On the upper arm of the cross, below the embedded crown, there is a polished clasp that was used to engrave the reason for the award. The cross is backed by a golden laurel wreath, through which a sword pointing upwards can be seen in each corner of the cross. The distance from sword pommel to sword pommel is 48.5 mm. The 25 mm diameter central medallion shows the coloured enamelled coat of arms of Castile and León, whereby the royal lily shield has been replaced by a blue high oval central shield with a golden pomegranate (Granada). The coat of arms of Castile is on a red enamelled background and shows a castle. The coat of arms of León, on the other hand, is on a white background and shows a lion, which could not be kept red for manufacturing reasons, but is golden. The coat of arms is surrounded by a blue lettering ring on which AL MERITO (above) and EN CAMPANA can be read.

The Spanish War Cross (Spanish: Cruz de Guerra) is a Spanish military decoration that was first established as a breast star on 29 March 1938 by Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War and was reformed in 1942 and 2003. It ranks below the Military Medal (Medalla Militar). Its appearance corresponded, with minor differences, to the Maria Christina Cross of 1890.

History

General der Kavallerie Philipp Kleffel (right), Generaloberst Georg Heinrich Lindemann (background) and Colonel in General Staff (i. G.) Wilhelm Knüppel on 18 July 1943 during a visit of the Blue Division.

The War Cross was intended to replace the Army Order (Orden militar de María Cristina) and the Navy Order (Orden naval de María Cristina), which were officially discontinued in 1931 but were still awarded unofficially until the beginning of the Civil War in 1936.

The War Cross was worn as a breast star ("victory star") on the left side of the recipient's chest. Its predecessor, the Maria Christina Cross, was still worn on a ribbon. Initially awarded in only one class, the order was awarded in four classes with the “imperial” crown from 1942 to 1975.

1942 to 1975

• Grand Cross (Gran Cruz)
• War Cross for "Chiefs" or Commanders (Cruz de Guerra para Jefes)
• War Cross for Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (Cruz de Guerra para Jefes)
• War Cross for Corporals and Enlisted Men (Cruz de Guerra para Cabos y Soldados)

2003

On 1 August 2003 (Royal Decree 1 1040/2003), the War Order was reformed (insignia with a new design) and since then is once again awarded in just one class (Spanish Official Gazette No. 177). The War Cross is worn on a ribbon attached to the medal bar or as a ribbon on the ribbon bar.

Known recipients (excerpt)

• Alfred Bülowius
• Waldemar Felgenhauer
• Hermann von Fischel
• Josef Fözö
• Walther August Georg Franz
• Lothar Keller
• Philipp Kleffel
• Ulrich Knauth
• Wilhelm Knüppel
• Walther Lucht
• Günther Scholz
• Hugo Sperrle (first commander of the Condor Legion)
• Albert Stecken
• Gerhard Willing

Further Spanish Civil War Decorations

• Spanish Medal for the Campaign of 1936−1939 with Swords (Spanische Feldzugsmedaille)
• Spanish Military Medal (Militärmedaille)
• Spanish Cross (Spanienkreuz)

External links

• All models from 1938 to 2003