Finnish Nordfront Cross

[Ron C.]

I am not sure of the proper forum for this one. I am told that not much is known of this badge, and that it was not so much awarded.....but was some kind of private purchase type item. I do not know. I have also heard that, after Finland surrendered or changed sides, whichever is correct, Hitler supposedly forbid the wear of such by German troops...........don't know if that is correct either. I dug this one out of a junk box at the Frankfurt fleamarket in the mid-70s for a couple of marks. It has had the arms removed, and I am unsure as to why. Some said de-nazification.......if that is so, I wonder why the swastika was not removed also....other's said it was by Hitler's order; however, if he forbid the wearing, I don't understand why the removal of the arms...........why wouldn't the whole badge just have been destroyed? Of course some things just happen for who knows why.......but many things happen for a reason. Does anyone know if there was a reason? What can be told about this badge? If this is in the wrong forum....please move it.

Thanks,
Ron

[NickG]

Here's mine. Too bad its been damaged, but obviously the price was right! so good score!
This Finnish campaign Cross known as "Nordfront kreuz") was made in several patterns, and it was awarded to German military personnel, including Waffen-SS and police forces, serving in Finland. Its interesting that the Finns hardly ever wore it eventhought its a "joint" commemorative campaign badge)
Yours has the legs of the (otherwise barely visible) Finnish swastika missing. These legs which would have beared the designations "Petsamo, Salla, Uhtua, and Kiestinki" (all town locations in Finland). Its not really denazified obvisously as the German flag on yours is intact, as you already pointed out! It is true that when the Finns declared war against their former German allies, Hitler forbid wearing his troops from wearing any Finnish awards, but I see know reason why the damage was done because of that order. These come in several patters, 3 I believe, one has a black field) all with different towns listed on them, so maybe the soldier (or the unit that issued these), had the wrong pattern (with the wrong towns listed?) so it was removed, making it a generic cross? Just a theory! Most likely it's just (post war) vandalism. Nick

[Ron C.]

Thanks Nick.....vandalism often has no logic or reason, and therefore it likely may be just that......vandalism.

Ron

[Hans N]

These are so called "Brother in Arms" crosses and you´ll find some more here (just register) http://z10.invisionfree.com/Finnish_...?showtopic=463

[Simon O.]

My understanding is that these were private purchase items. If the were presented then they were certainly not entered in the SB\WP.

For those that don't wish to register with the site linked to by Hans.
There are 12 variants in all

the most common ones which turn up are the white 1941-43 ones.

[DavidB]

I really like these badges.
I have one of the whites ones, cant remember exactly which version.

Are there any of the vartiations that are more expensive than others? The black ones?

David

[Simon O.]

From those that i've seen for sale they tend to be in the same price range. However, from the excellent thread Hans linked the Eismeerfront 1941-44 is the hardest to find which is understandable (as the Nordfront and Lapplandfront cover the entire 20 Geb Armee area whereas the Eismeerfront related only to one korps and a handful of Finnish troops)

Here's one sold by Deltev not too long ago.

Incidently, the eismeerfront badge includes a Norwegian town. Kirkenes, seen here in Finnish 'Kirkkomeni'

[Hans N]

Hi Simon,

like you i beleave these crosses to be private purchased items.

[klaus]

Yes i think the didn’t got awarded, had to be bought. When German allies surrendered or run offer to the enemy it was off course no longer allowed to wear there medals and badges.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o></o>