Afrika Grouping, Italian merit medal

[münster]

Hi Guys

I just got this one in, I forget where I read it but are these italian crosses supposed to be named?

[milcollector]

my one is not named and it is part of a veteran group.

[münster]

my one is not named and it is part of a veteran group.

I think they were only named to the italian recipients? Have you also heard this?

[Peppe864]

I think they were only named to the italian recipients? Have you also heard this?

I have also heard the they only were named to Italian recipients, but can someone please confirm this?

[peterm]

Sometimes these crosses can be also found given to German soldiers - but I NEVER saw one named. Also named Italian bravery medals given to Germans are very rare. Most of the recipients got it without engravement.

Regards,

Peter

[Gary B]

Dear Dion,

There have been a few postings on the WAF regarding Italian Bravery medals (round pendants) which were mounted on medal bars, which I think you might be recalling. Some of the discussion about the bars centered on whether or not the Italian award was a swap out with a Long service award and the fact that the bravery award (gold I believe) was supposed to have the recipients name on the reverse. There are 2 threads on this as I recall, one recently by Luftkrieg and another one some time ago.

I have an EK2 & Italian War Cross on a parade mount which is not engraved to the recipient.

Additionally the cypher on the obverse of the cross will assist in verifying time of award. There is a WWI and WWII version of this cross and the cyphers are different.

Gary B