Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class, By Otto Schickle Auction Slovakian lion mark on the

Slovakian lion mark on the reverse

one of him seated at a table with Army personnel

inscribed “Jederzeit zum frieden gewillt - Jeder Stunde aber auch zur Abwehr Bereit” (German - Wanting peace at all times - but ready for defense at every hour)

but their advance was soon checked by intense and accurate German artillery fire

Engraved "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" on the blade

Germany, Wehrmacht. A War Merit Cross I Class, By Otto Schickle Auction Slovakian lion mark on the(Kriegsverdienstkreuz I. Klasse). Constructed of silvered tombak, consisting of a Maltese Cross, the obverse with pebbled arms and a central wreathed mobile swastika, the reverse with a block hinge and banjo style pinback meeting a flat wire catch, the pinback maker marked with LDO code L15 for Otto Schickle, Pforzheim, measuring 49. 24 mm (w) x 49. 25 mm (h), weighing 15. 8 grams, in near extremely fine condition.