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Free Hanseatic Cities in the German Empire (Deutsches Reich) |
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The three free towns of Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck instituted jointly crosses of merit for service in WWI. Recipients were serving or former members of the 75th Infantry Regiment (Bremen), the 76th Infantry Regiment (Hamburg), the 162nd Inf. Battalion (Lübeck), the crews of the warships Bremen, Hamburg and Lübeck, inhabitants of the 3 cities serving in other units or in voluntary nursing units in the 3 towns.
The obverse central medallion has for Bremen, a silver key, for Hamburg, a triple-towered castle, for Lübeck, a black-double headed eagle on a gilt background. Each cross has its own ribbon. All crosses were instituted in 1915 : Lübeck on 21 August, Hamburg on 10 September (some 50,000 were awarded), and Bremen on 14 September (20,018 crosses awarded). |
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The Bremen version of the Hanseatic Cross |
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Hamburg Cross, 1914 The Hanseatic Cross (Hanseatenkreuz) was awarded by the Hanseatic League town of Hamburg.
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