LDO Box for Spanish Cross in Bronze

Product Description: The box is covered in green leatherette material embossed with the emblem of the LDO (Leistungsgemeinschaft der Deutscher Ordenshersteller – Administration of German Orders Manufacturers). The bottom of the box has the original price tag from where it was originally sold, a National Socialist bookstore in Cuxhaven in northern Germany. The exterior of the box shows some wear to the edges as well as some minor staining, and one side of the upper lid is missing. The paper hinge of the box remains intact. The box has a red lining, the cross rests on a piece of flocked red material that has a recess for the reverse hardware. The protected interior of the box is in excellent condition with no issues I could detect. A scarce and very desirable box.

Historical Description: The Spanish Cross (Spanienkreuz) was instituted on April 14, 1939, to recognize the achievements of German personnel who participated in the Spanish Civil War between 1936 and 1939. It was in the shape of a Maltese cross with a swastika in the center and Luftwaffe eagle emblems in the spaces between the four arms. The pin-backed award was issued in four classes: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Gold with Diamonds. Bronze and Silver classes were made both with and without swords. Silver and Bronze awards without swords were for non-combatants and was issued to military and civilian personnel with three months of wartime experience in Spain, with the Silver version issued for merit. The Bronze award with swords was for combatants, the Silver award with swords was for soldiers who took part in decisive battles and who had considerable fighting experience, and the Gold award was for great merit. The highest grade. The Spanish Cross in Gold with Diamonds, was very rarely awarded and reserved for those who showed the greatest merit or who had high leadership skills in battle. There was also a version made for the next of kin of men who had been killed; this was a medal suspended from a ribbon, rather than a pin-on badge. Unlike most German awards, the Spanish Cross was worn on the right side of the uniform.

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