Kaertner Freiheitskamf Cross = Freikorps?

[torstenbel]

As part of a nice austro-hungarian medic medal bar I also have the Kaertner Freiheitskamp Cross. Would this be classed as a Freikorps decroation? Cheers, Torsten.

[torstenbel]

reverse of the cross ..

[torstenbel]

the medal bar in full

[torstenbel]

the reverse in full.

[haynau]

Hi Torstenbel,
i'am sorry but there are lot of things with this bar i don't like:

-worn medals and new ribbons mounted in german style. in the last 12 months dozens of austrian bars appeared on the market in german mounting. more than ever. curios?

- the 1st decoration is an Eisernes Verdienstkreuz mit Krone that was given to distinguished NCO's during wartime (founded 1916) . the bar shows also the 1908 jubilee-cross for military. to get this you must have done 3 years service before. so where ist the Dienstauszeichnung (service cross) for this NCO?
he must have received one.

-there is another clear indicator that this bar is brandnew. details, i will only tell via PM

regards

haynau

[torstenbel]

Hi Haynau, yes please do send me a PM with any further info. I bought the bar in Austria and as it is and in good faith .... Cheers, Torsten.

[Tommaso]

The Kaerntner Freiheitskampfer were the Austrian Freikorp who fought Jugoslavian army to defend Carinthia Border in 1919-1921.

[MJC]

"The Kaerntner Freiheitskampfer were the Austrian Freikorp who fought Jugoslavian army to defend Carinthia Border in 1919-1921."

Sorry to jump into this post but can anyone recommend an English language text that has information about the above actions?

Thanks
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[haynau]

Some Info:

The Crosses were created by the local government of the province of Carinthia (Landesregierung) on the 4th of November 1919.

Classes:
- allgemeines Kärntner Kreuz für Verdienst (common cross for merit) - on a ribbon
- allgemeines Kärntner Kreuz für Tapferkeit (common cross for bravery) - on a ribbon
- besonderes Kärntner Kreuz für Verdienst (special cross for merit) - pin-back
- besonderes Kärntner Kreuz für Tapferkeit (special cross for bravery) - pin-back

The common cross for bravery was given to all members of a Volkswehr-Alarm- or Heimwehr-unit with a minimum of 28 days of membership who had taken active part on some battles. The cross were given for less than 28 days (or those who haven't seen any battles) when the particular man was commander of a unit and/or was had received wounds by enemy-fire.

The special cross for bravery was given for outstanding acts of bravery and/or leading the troops - the winner must have received the common cross before!

The common cross for merit was given to all members of a Volkswehr-Alarm- or Heimwehr- unit with a minimum of 28 days membership but for non-combatants and for all other who had supported the fightings in any ways like work or goods or medical help or propaganda etc.

The special cross for merit was given or outstanding organising or supplying to non-combatants - the winners must have received the common cross before!

The winning of any cross for bravery excepted the award of any cross of merit!

The Austrians had about 200 killed and 800 wounded - the award postmortem was not allowed.

The cross itself was made of zinc with the inscription on the obverse: Kärntner Freiheitskampf 1918-1919 and in the case of the Bravery Medal Für Tapferkeit on the reverse side. The ribbon was yellow-red-white. Like the Iron Cross, the General Cross was worn from a ribbon on the tunic front whereas the Special Cross was worn without a ribbon on the left breast. Carinthian Crosses remained the property of the awardee or his family on the death of the holder.


At last here to total numbers of awards:

common cross bravery - 12.932
common cross merit - 4.072
special cross bravery - 1.009
special cross merit - 241

regards
haynau