Rote kreuz stern..

[Hans Kristian]

Hello all,

I need some comments and help here.

I have this nice picture of a medical LW doctor (I think, the shoulderboards are difficult to see) and he wears the Stern der Rote kreuz in the 2nd form if I am not mistaken..?..
I do not know much about these, how many were issued..?..I do not know the name of this man, but is it possible to find out..?..

Many thanks,

Hans Kristian

[Hans Kristian]

No-one knows anything about this type of Cross/stern..?..

[Rick C]

When I picked up a bullion example of one of these things I read a bunch on various threads here and seem to recall the Stars (sterns whatever) were awarded to Generals and/or foreigners. This guy appears a Major which is be real interesting.

Somewhere I copied these notes:


During the National Socialist period, the decoration was adjusted three times (1933-1939).
The original design from 1922 was used until 1934. Between 1934 and 1937 new classes were added. From 1937 the German Swastika was added to the design and the classes were reorganized again.

The Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes German Red Cross Decoration) had two classes between 1922 and 1934:
1- Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes Erste Klasse (First Class)
2- Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes Zweite Klasse (Second Class)

After reorganizing the Order in 1934 the classes became:
1- Stern des Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (Star)
2- Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes Erste Klasse (First Class)
3- Verdienstkreuz des Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (Cross of Merit)
4- Ehrenzeichen des Roten Kreuzes (Decoration of the Red Cross)
5- Damenkreuz des Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (Ladies Cross)

In 1937 the design was changed and the classes reorganized:
1- Grosskreuz des Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (Grand Cross)
2- Stern des Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (Star)
3- Erste Klasse des Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (First Class)Could be awarded with diamonds
4- Verdienstkreuz des Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (Merit Cross)
5- Zweite Klasse des Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (Second Class)
6- Medaille des Ehrenzeichen des Deutschen Roten Kreuzes (Medal)

In 1939 the decoration was replaced with the Ehrenzeichen für Deutsche Volkspflege (German Social Welfare Decoration)

[Peter J.]

I assume that is the 1934 Star without swastika. As a sidenote, the regulations for the whole series of Red Cross (1922-1939) differ depending on what reference book one choose to read.

cheers
Peter

[Rick C]

mine was

[Alex W.]

here are some pics of my cased St&L star/sash set. It matches the posted bullion variant shown above. The Star/sash are the most rare and expensive pieces of this series.

Best regards,
Alex

[Peter J.]

Alex, isn't that a rather subjective comment? Niemann, Foreman, Nimmergut and Hüsken all have a different opinion than your's about the value, although they are not in agreement of what they are describing.

cheers
Peter

[Alex W.]

Peter, maybe I wrote it misunderstandable. By saying it was "the most expensive of the series" I was specifically referring to the DRK 1934-1937 awards series only.
At least I for one paid less for my 1934-1939 DRK 1st class Neckcross or 2nd class breast cross than for this Star/Sash set. Never the less, you are correct. This is subjective, but so is any price discussion.

Regards,
Alex

[Peter J.]

I hear you Alex, no argument there. I'm merely trying to initiate a discussion about the concepts for the higher classes of the Red Cross. When you cross-read the various reference books, you'll realize there are some inconsistancies. The complexity of this topic is apparent when you see the lack of responses to this thread. I've tried to get an excerpt from Doehle's book, as I can't find any info in the Uniformenmarkt (other than the Red Cross Medal from 1937). Perhaps a fellow collector could post the pertinent pages.

cheers
Peter

[Peter J.]

For interested parties: I received some scans from Doehle's 1943 book (English version), but unfortunately that only enhenced my confusion.

cheers
Peter

[Bob Hritz]

Wonderful set, Alex. These are truely rare and hard to find and cased is even more rare.

Bob Hritz

[Hans Kristian]

Alex, wow, what a wonderful piece, thanks for showing this. I am completely shocked.

Hans Kristian

here are some pics of my cased St&L star/sash set. It matches the posted bullion variant shown above. The Star/sash are the most rare and expensive pieces of this series.

Best regards,
Alex

[Hans Kristian]

And thanks to everyone to comment on this one - highly appreciated. All the info I have is from Angolia´s book "In service of the Reich" where it is briefly mentioned as beeing the 2nd form introduced in 1934. In the headline it says 1934-1937.

anyway, a Luftwaffe major to get this cross.?..how likely is that, and would there be any chance to find out who he is..?..needle in the haystack maybe, but it cannot have been a common reward..and where do I look..?.

Thanks and regards,

Hans Kristian