Krieger-Ehrenzeichen in Eisen

The War Honour Badge in Iron was instituted on 13 March 1917 by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig of Hesse on the occasion of his 25th jubilee in office. The badge of honour was awarded about 2,000 times to proven Hessian combatants. Recipients were supposed to have previously received the Iron Cross and the Hessian Bravery Medal, and to have been wounded at the front. This is why the decoration was nicknamed “Bloody Ludwig.”

It was made from various materials, including blackened iron, tombac, zinc, silver, silver-plated iron and coloured copper.

One of the best-known recipients of this decoration was the German fighter pilot Julius Buckler.