Luft medal bar w/ Spanish award---What is it??

[Rheinmetall]

I've had this Legion Condor medal bar for many years but never knew what the one Spanish award is. I am curious about the second award in from the left (directly to the right of the EK2). What is the title of this medal?

I have been told that this was the highest level of Spanish military medals and that upon bestowal of this medal the individual would have been awarded the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords upon his return to Germany---is this accurate?

[Rheinmetall]

obverse

[Rheinmetall]

reverse

[Gene]

The medal in question is, I believe, reversed. What you show as the reverse should be the obverse. It is the Military Medal, and the one next to it is the Campaign Medal.

[Scott C.]

It's the 'Medalla Militar', one of the highest Spanish bravery awards issued during Spanish Civil War . And yes, the Spanish Cross in Gold with Swords (and often with brilliants).

Scott

[Rheinmetall]

Would the "Al merito en Campaña" breast star also have been received as a result of having been awarded this medal?

[Scott C.]

I don't think Condor Legion members would have been awarded the Medalla Militar and the Al Merito en Campa******241;a -- one was not a prerequsite for the other. I've not seen photos of both being awarded or worn. However, I could be wrong... Sal or Jacques: what say you?

Scott

[Rheinmetall]

Thanks Scott, I would also like to here from Sal or Jacques on your asssessment......knowledge is power!

[Sal Williams]

according to Roger Bender in his book Legion Condor the medal was awarded to only 15 German aviators. 3 with diamonds went to the LC commanders

Both these medals were awarded together. (could be I mean as I have seen pictures) I do not know the award proceedure.

feldwebel Kuebler is pictured with the military medal, the campaign medal ,breaststar, Red military service cross and LC panzerbadge

from what I can see that is one very rare bar if all is correct with it.

Best, Sal

[Francisco V.]

Military Medal

Hello,
Diamonds grade Military Medal does NOT exist. This is one of the many errors in Bender's book. The stones were custom choice in jeweler's made examples. Normal issue examples were crude and made of iron.
By the way, Military Medals were awarded to germans by hundreds but are only known those awarded to notorious LW personalities but I have seen a MM entry in the soldbuch of a sergeant radioperator.

Regards
Fran

[Sal Williams]

Thanks Fran! What other books are good for LC?

[jacques]

Thanks Fran! What other books are good for LC?

All the ones I already mentionned to you

[Rheinmetall]

Does the 'Medalla Militar' rate higher on the award scale than the 'Al merito en Campaña' breast star? And how do they compare to one another relating to German recipients?

Also, if the 'Medalla Militar was a prerequisite for receiving the Spanish Cross in Gold, would the 'Al merito en Campaña' breast star also merit the award of a specific grade of the Spanish Cross?

[jacques]

Hi,
I think there is relations between Spanish and german awarded decorations but it is not so explicit, I know no period text relating that. Only based on period pics or individual documents, the soldiers awarded with the Medalla Militar received the gold cross (and also diamonds ones for 27). The Medalla Militar is upon the Cruz de Guerra breast star, and they can't both be awarded to a same guy, at least in the case of the german Legion condor members (only one, Kubler of the PzGruppe Drohne has been awarded both decorations). Although the lists are uncomplete, Approximativly 100 soldiers received the Medalla Militar.
Concerning the Cruz de Guerra, most of the soldiers received the gold cross too. Around 1000 were awarded.

Jacques

Does the 'Medalla Militar' rate higher on the award scale than the 'Al merito en Campaña' breast star? And how do they compare to one another relating to German recipients?

Also, if the 'Medalla Militar was a prerequisite for receiving the Spanish Cross in Gold, would the 'Al merito en Campaña' breast star also merit the award of a specific grade of the Spanish Cross?