Original German WWI - WWII Era Medal Bar with Hindenburg Cross, Czech Conquest Medal and RLB Award - 3 Awards

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is a fantastic genuine medal set, which we assume was owned by a German soldier who fought during WWI, and then later served during WWII, taking part in some early campaigns during the pre-war period before becoming involved in civic air raid protection.

The set of 3 medals offered in good condition is mounted on a very nice gray felt-backed medal bar, which has a long brass securing pin. The colors are well retained, with some light staining and overall oxidation on the various awards.

It consists of the following medals with Ribbons:

- German WWI Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (Hindenburg Cross) Medal with Swords (For Combat)
- German WWII RLB Luftschutz Air Defense Honor Medal 2nd Grade
- WWII 1 October 1938 Commemorative Sudetenland Medal (Czech Conquest)

Below is an explanation of each medal in detail:

Hindenburg Cross with Crossed Swords (for combat):
The Honor Cross of the World War 1914/1918 (German: Das Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914/1918), commonly, but incorrectly, known as the Hindenburg Cross was established by Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, President of the German Republic, by an order dated 13 July 1934, to commemorate the distinguished deeds of the German people during the First World War. This was Germany's first official service medal for soldiers of Imperial Germany who had taken part in the war, and where they had since died it was also awarded to their surviving next-of-kin. Shortly after its issuance, the government of NSDAP Germany declared the award as the only official service decoration of the First World War and further forbid the continued wearing of German Free Corps awards on any military or paramilitary uniform of a state or NSDAP Party organization.

German WWII Air Defense Honor Badge 2nd Grade (Luftschutz Ehrenzeichen zweiter Stufe). The 2nd grade Luftschutz medal was awarded for those who gave meritorious service to the civil air defense of Germany from January 1933 onward. It is constructed out of a die struck aluminum-alloy base that has been silver washed. The obverse features a centrally placed mobile swas in a pebbled field, which is surrounded by FÜR VERDIENSTE IM LUFTSCHUTZ (For Merit in Air Defense). The reverse is marked 1938, also in a pebbled field.

Both sides are surrounded by an oak leaf wreath that is tied together at the bottom. To the top is an integral loop and an aluminum ring. These are fitted with a lavender, white, red and black rayon ribbon.

1 October 1938 Commemorative Medal
(German: Die Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1. Oktober 1938) Commonly known as the Sudetenland Medal, this was a decoration of NSDAP Germany awarded in the interwar period. Instituted on 18 October 1938, the medal was awarded to German military personnel who participated in the occupation of Sudetenland and the occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939.

The medal was awarded to all German (and as well Sudeten) State officials and members of the German Wehrmacht and SS who marched into Sudetenland. Later it was awarded to military personnel participating in the occupation of the remnants of Czechoslovakia on 15 March 1939. It was awarded until 31 December 1940. In all 1,162,617 medals and 134,563 bars were awarded.

The medal was similar in appearance as the Anschluss Medal, the reverse only differed in the date. It was designed by Professor Richard Klein.