Bar with the Non-Combatants China and South West Africa Medals

Photo © Karsten Herzogenrath

The medals on this bar in order of seniority from left to right are-
Prussian Iron Cross, second class
Prussian Crown Order, fourth class
Hamburg Hanseatic Cross
Oldenburg Friedrich August Cross, second class
Prussian Landwehr Long Service Award, first class for officers with 20 years service, in this case in the naval reserve ("Seewehr")
1904-08 South West Africa Campaign Medal for non-combatants
1900-01 China Campaign Medal for non-combatants
Prussian Wilhelm I Centenary Medal

The original owner of this medal bar was Marine-Oberingenieur der Seewehr II Otto. His senior engineer rank entitles him to junior officer ("Deckoffizier") status and thus the Landwehr officers award. Both his non-combatant medals may have been earned for depot or transportation work at sea or back in Germany rather than in the field in Africa and China. The Iron Cross is however for active duty in the First World War. The awarding of North German states medals, such as the Hamburg and Oldenburg examples seen here, was relatively common amongst naval personnel.