Bar with the
Combatants South West Africa Medal and Clasps
Photo
©
Peter Klein
The medals on this bar in
order of seniority from left to right are-
Prussian
Warriors Merit Medal worn back to front
1904-08 South West Africa
Campaign Medal for combatants
with clasps for "HEREROLAND", "OMAHEKE", "GROSS-NAMALAND"
and "KALAHARI 1908"
Mecklenburg-Schwerin Other Ranks Long Service Award,
third class for 9 years service
The original owner of this
medal bar was an other ranks (probably an NCO from his
length of service) combatant in the Herero Rebellion. He
wears four campaign clasps for the South West Africa medal,
the most interesting of which is the rare clasp for Kalahari
1908. This was awarded to members of the Schutztruppe camel
mounted 7. Feldkompagnie and the British Bechuanaland
Protectorate Police Force for tracking down Simon Koper and
his Nama warriors. The original owner of this bar was
therefore probably a member of Friedrich von Erckert's
famous Camel Company.
He was originally from the
Grand Duchy of
Mecklenburg-Schwerin but served in the Schutztruppe.
The Prussian Warriors Merit Medal indicates that the owner
was not Prussian himself and the Mecklenburg-Schwerin Long
Service Award confirms it.
Recommended Reading -
"German Medals, British Soldiers and the Kalahari
Desert" by Gordon McGregor and
"Unter
dem Kreuz des Südens" by S Schepp |