Bronze cross pattée with concave ends to the arms, an oak wreath between the arms, with integral loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a central oval medallion with the head of Queen Wilhelmina facing left encircled by a garter inscribed ‘VOOR KRIJGSVERRIGTINGEN’ (For War Actions), each arm of the cross with the initial ‘W’; the reverse plain with maker’s mark KON.-BEGEER VOORSCHOTEN; on original ribbon by Firma A. Tack of Breda, the backplate worn, with bronze ‘MIDDELLANDSE ZEE 1940 – 1945’ and ‘NORMANDIE 1944’ bars. The Cross was instituted on 16 March 1944 for those who had served a minimum of 6 months after 10 May 1940 in the Dutch armed forces, merchant marine or civil air service and “had performed well and shown good conduct”. The ‘Middellandse Zee’ (Mediterranean Sea) bar was awarded for service in the Mediterranean east of Gibraltar or on the west coast of Morocco between 9 June 1940 and 29 April 1945. The ‘Normandië 1944’ bar was awarded for service in or off Normandy between 6 June and 10 August 1944. A good example.
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