Nazi War Merit Cross, Second Class

Nazi War Merit Cross Second Class breast badge. Obverse: A Maltese cross with a swastika within a wreath in the centre. Reverse: The same as the obverse but with '1939' within the central wreath. The cross is fitted with a loose ring suspender and a piece of 30 mm ribbon which has a broad black centre with 4 mm white (inner) and red (outer) edge stripes.

Awarded to both members of the military and civilians who had contributed meritorious service to the war effort of the Third Reich. Swords indicated that the award was for military service. There were four levels of the award: Knights Cross neck badge, First Class breast badge, Second Class cross and the War Merit medal. This medal is part of a collection of Second World War German orders and decorations acquired by Flight Lieutenant K G Hesketh, RAAF Historical Records Section, who was based in London but who made a number of visits to Germany immediately after the Second World War.