Germany. A War Merit Cross First Class With Swords, Cased, By Deschler & Sohn certificate_of_authenticity engraver marked "MICHEL"

engraver marked "MICHEL"

At some point he was transferred to Grenadier Regiment 390

he was made a Platoon Leader serving at the front

Footnote: The North German Lloyd (Norddeutscher Lloyd = NDL) was a German shipping company

Germany. A War Merit Cross First Class With Swords, Cased, By Deschler & Sohn certificate_of_authenticity engraver marked "MICHEL"(Kriegsverdienstkreuz 2. Klasse mit Schwertern im Etui). A Maltese cross in silvered tombak with crossed swords between the arms of the cross; the obverse with crossed swords between the arms of the cross and a circular raised border of oak leaves on the obverse with a raised mobile swastika in the center; the reverse with a vertical banjo style pinback and a functional hinge catch assembly marked 1 for Deschler & Sohn; measuring 48. 45 mm (w) x 48.