| Place | Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Amiens Harbonnieres Area, Harbonnieres |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM15126.002 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Award |
| Physical description | Iron, Silver |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | c 1918 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Iron Cross 2nd Class 1914 - 1918 (short ribbon) : Lieutenant General John Monash
Description
Iron Cross 2nd Class. A cross patee made of of a blackened iron with a two piece silver beaded edge. Obverse: The Prussian crown over 'W' in the centre and 1914 below. Reverse: The Prussian crown over 'FW' (Friedrich William) on the top arm, a three oak leaf spray in the centre and '1813' on the lower arm. The medal is fitted with a silver loose ring suspender. This Iron Cross has a shorter piece of ribbon than the other RELAWM15126.001.
History / Summary
One of two German Iron Crosses collected by Lieutenant General John Monash on 8 August 1918.
Among the documents, equipment and other items captured at the 51st German Corps Headquarters near Harbonnieres on 8 August 1918 was a box of Iron Crosses waiting to be awarded. They were eventually issued, but not to the men for whom they were originally intended.
In a letter dated 15 August, Monash describes Australian soldiers returning from the battle wearing the crosses all over their bodies and humorously noted that in many instances they were wearing them in the most 'undignified places'. Monash sent one of these Iron Crosses home to his family with the letter and presumably kept the other one himself. They come with a handwritten note that reads: 'German Iron Crosses / portion of a quantity / held ready for issue by / the II German Corps / Captured at Headquarters / of 51st German Corps / near Harbonnieres / Aug 8/1918'.