Germany, Wehrmacht. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, by Franz Petzl Archive A Cased Military Merit Cross

A Cased Military Merit Cross - 3rd Class -

but with the original gilding worn off

Vesper died on March 11

The circular frame features a floral motif on the exterior edge

necessitating his transfer to the Canadian Military Hospital at Hastings on July 9

Germany, Wehrmacht. A 1939 Iron Cross II Class, by Franz Petzl Archive A Cased Military Merit Cross(Eisernes Kreuz 1939 II. Klasse). Reinstituted 1 September 1939. (1939 1945 issue). Constructed of iron and silver, on loop for suspension from its period original ribbon, consisting of a Cross Patte with a blackened magnetic iron core within a ribbed silver frame, the obverse with a central mobile swastika, the six oclock arm with a reinstitution date of 1939, the reverse six oclock arm with an initial institution of 1813, the suspension loop maker