Bidspirit auction | Set of German WWII War

Set of German WWII War Merit Cross 2nd Class Medals, Without Swords - A set of War Merit Cross Second Class medals in a bronze-toned finish, each with a central roundel bearing a swastika encircled by a wreath, suspended on red-white-black ribbons. The Kriegsverdienstkreuz was instituted in 1939 as a civil and military decoration for wartime service outside of front-line combat, with the swords variant reserved for recipients whose service was more directly tied to the war effort. The War Merit Cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz) was established by Adolf Hitler on 18 October 1939 to recognize wartime contributions by those not eligible for combat decorations, covering roles such as administration, civil defense, industry, and logistics. The Second Class was the lower of two grades, with the ”without swords” version awarded specifically for non-combatant achievement, distinguishing it from the ”with swords” variant given for service directly connected to the war effort. It was issued widely throughout the Reich to both military support personnel and civilians, making it one of the most commonly produced Third Reich decorations.