Chapter XI: Uniforms and Insignia of Foreign Armies and Navies (3)

The corps and regimental colors are worn in small patches on the collar at each side of the neck opening and also as cuff stripes in some corps. In some corps the distinctive color is also worn around the cap band.

The rank of the German officer is indicated by the braid and insignia on flat shoulder straps covered with braided cord. The shoulder strap for Field Marshal and for General officers is covered with a plaited knot made up of five loops of sets of three cords, the two outer cords being gold and the central cord being silver interwoven with the imperial colors in silk. The shoulder straps for Field officers (Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and Majors) are of the same design except that the cords are in sets of two, both of silver interwoven with the silk colors. The shoulder straps of the company officers are covered with parallel rows of silver cord interwoven with the silk colors.

The insignia of rank worn upon the shoulder straps on top of the cord decorations are diamond shaped ornaments of gilt metal, and although they do not have the conventional shape of a star they are called stars in the German service.

These insignias are as follows for the various grades of rank:—

Field Marshal Two gold batons crossed.
Colonel General Three stars.
General Two stars.
Lieutenant General One star.
Major General No insignia, the shoulder strap
knot being plain.
Colonel Two stars.
Lieutenant Colonel One star.
Major No insignia.
Captain Two stars.
First Lieutenant One star.
Second Lieutenant No insignia.

There is no corresponding rank in the armies of other nations for the German rank of Colonel General, and in the German Army there is no rank of Brigadier General.

In the German Army a Feldwebel is an officer between the commissioned officers and the enlisted men, his rank corresponds to that of the Warrant Officers in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. He wears a double cord upon the shoulders and his rank insignia is a circular medallion with a Prussian eagle on each side of the collar.

The German officer’s overcoat is a heavy ulster of the same gray color as the field uniform; it is double-breasted and the rank of the wearer is indicated by the shoulder straps as in the case of the service coat.

1. Field Marshal 6. Colonel 2. Colonel General

7. Lieutenant Colonel 3. General 8. Major 4. Lieutenant General

9. Captain 5. Major General 10. First Lieutenant

11. Second Lieutenant]

Roumanian Army. Officers’ service uniform]

The enlisted men of the German Army wear a service uniform of the same color and general design as that of the officers. The ordinary field cap is a round loose crowned cap without visor, the coat is a single breasted sack with a standing turn-over collar, and the trousers are of the same gray cloth as the coat. Boots of black or tan leather are worn.

Noncommissioned officers wear a stripe of braid around the cuff and the front edges of the collar at the neck opening and for a short distance along the top of the collar back from the neck opening. A Sergeant Major wears a stripe of narrow braid above the noncommissioned officer’s sleeve stripe.

The enlisted men’s overcoat is a heavy ulster buttoning to the neck with a standing-falling collar, the rank of noncommissioned officers being indicated by the sleeve braid as for the service coat and by patches of color at the front of the collar.

Steel trench helmets are worn in the trenches by both officers and men, this helmet being larger than that worn by the American, British and French troops and having a flaring extension at the rear for the protection of the neck.

UNIFORMS OF THE ROUMANIAN ARMY

The dress and service uniforms of the Roumanian Army are very similar to those of the Austrian Army and the field uniform is of khaki-colored cloth with the facings, pipings and rank insignia of the dress uniforms added.

FOREIGN WAR DECORATIONS AND MEDALS

The multiplicity of medals and decorations in all foreign countries makes it very difficult to distinguish one from another, especially since the designs and ribbons used by different countries are frequently quite similar. To describe all of these decorations is not practicable within the scope of this volume, but a few of the ones which are classed as distinctively war decorations are included as they are the ones most commonly seen and talked about.

_French War Medals._—The French decorations given for war service are the _Legion d’honneur_ (Legion of Honor), the _Medaille Militaire_ (Military Medal) and the _Croix de Guerre_ (War Cross).

The Legion of Honor was inaugurated by Napoleon I at Les Invalides on July 15, 1804, and the medals and ribbons were bestowed upon both soldiers and civilians. The medal consists of a white star with five double rays; the center of the star, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel, bearing on the obverse the head of the Republic surrounded by the words, “République Française, 1870,” and on the reverse two tri-colored flags with the words, “Honneur et Patrie.” Above the star is a small gold wreath and the ribbon is red.

_The Medaille Militaire_, created by Prince Louis Napoleon in January, 1852, may be bestowed upon Generals and Admirals who have been ministers of the state cabinet or commanders in chief, commanders of Army Corps who have presided over the Superior Council of War and the greatest of the war leaders of France. It is of silver, twenty-eight millimeters in diameter, surmounted by a trophy of arms in silver and suspended by a yellow ribbon with green stripes at the edges. The obverse of the medal bears the head of the Republic surrounded by the words, “République Française, 1870,” and the reverse the words, “Valeur et Discipline.”

_The Croix de Guerre_, established by law on April 8, 1915, is awarded to soldiers and sailors of all ranks in the service of France and her Allies who perform individual acts of gallantry in operations against the enemy during the present war and are mentioned for such acts in official despatches. The cross is of Florentine bronze, four-armed with two crossed swords between the arms, and is surcharged at the center with a medallion bearing the head of the Republic surrounded by the inscription “République Française” on the obverse and the dates “1914-1915” on the reverse side. The ribbon is green with seven narrow red stripes.

_British War Medals._—In Great Britain there are three orders which may be bestowed upon officers by the King—the Order of the Bath, the Order of St. Michael and St. George and the Distinguished Service Order; five crosses or medals which may be awarded to officers or enlisted men of the land forces—the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross, the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal; and four crosses or medals which may be bestowed upon officers and enlisted men of the sea forces—the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross (corresponding to the Military Cross), the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (corresponding to the Distinguished Conduct Medal), and the Distinguished Service Medal (corresponding to the Military Medal).

Of all of these the one most highly prized by officers and enlisted men alike both on sea and land is the Victoria Cross, which is awarded individually to an officer or enlisted man of the Navy or Army for some signal act of valor and devotion to his country in the presence of the enemy and during action. Whenever it is possible to do so the V. C. is presented in person by the sovereign.

_The Victoria Cross._—This decoration consists of a bronze cross pattée with raised edges and it was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856 during the Crimean War. On the obverse of the cross at the center it is surcharged with a Royal crown surmounted by a lion passant gardant and below the crown there is a semicircular scroll bearing the words, “For Valour.” On the reverse side is engraved the date of its bestowal. The cross is suspended from a ribbon by means of a bar clasp ornamented with laurel leaves and a link in the shape of the letter “V,” and the name, rank and regiment or ship of the recipient is engraved on the reverse side of the clasp. The ribbon is red for the Army and blue for the Navy.

_The Distinguished Service Order._—This order was established in 1886 to reward officers of the military and naval services for meritorious or distinguished service in the field before the enemy. It is a gold cross pattée convexed, enamelled white and edged with bright gold. At the center on one side is a wreath of laurel enamelled in green surrounding the Imperial crown enamelled in red, and on the other side at the center a similar wreath surrounding the Royal cypher “G.R.” The ribbon is red edged with blue.

_The Distinguished Service Cross._—This is a plain silver cross pattée convexed. On the obverse at the center enclosed within a raised circle is the Imperial cypher “G.R.I.” surmounted by the crown, while the reverse side is plain. The ribbon is blue, white, blue.

FOREIGN DECORATIONS AND MEDALS

1. Victoria Cross, Great Britain

2. Distinguished Service Order, Great Britain

3. Legion of Honor, France 4. Military Medal, France]

_The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal._—The medal, established during the Crimean War, is of silver, with the effigy of the reigning sovereign on one side and a laurel wreath encircling the words, “For Conspicuous Gallantry,” surmounted by a crown on the other side. It is awarded to Warrant Officers, Midshipmen, Naval Cadets and Clerks in the Royal Navy for conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy. The ribbon is blue, white, blue.

_The Distinguished Service Medal._—This medal was established October 14, 1914, to reward petty officers and men of the Royal Navy and noncommissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines for courageous service in action during the present war. It is of silver and the obverse bears the effigy of King George V., while the reverse bears a wreath encircling the words, “For Distinguished Service,” surmounted by a crown. The ribbon is blue with two narrow white stripes through the center.

_The Military Cross._—This decoration was established in December, 1914, to reward captains, lieutenants and warrant officers of the Army for deeds of valor or distinguished services in the present war. The cross is of silver and each arm bears the Imperial crown while at the center the Imperial cypher “G.R.I.” appears. The ribbon is white, blue, white.

_The Military Medal._—This silver medal was authorized by the King in March, 1916, to be awarded to officers and enlisted men of the Army for conspicuous bravery in the field after recommendation by the commanding general in the field. Its obverse bears the Royal effigy and the reverse a wreath encircling the words, “For Bravery in the Field,” surmounted by a crown. The ribbon is blue, white, blue, with two narrow rod stripes through the central white stripe.

_Belgian War Medals._—The decorations and medals awarded in Belgium for war service embrace the Order of Leopold, the _Croix Militaire_ (Military Cross), the _Medaille Militaire_ (Military Medal), the _Ordre de la Courenne_ (Order of the Crown), the Order of Leopold II., the Belgian War Cross and the Medal of Queen Elizabeth.

_The Order of Leopold._—This order was instituted by King Leopold I. in 1832, to “reward services rendered to the country.” It is only bestowed upon officers of high rank except in very exceptional cases. It consists of a white enamelled Maltese cross resting upon a green wreath of oak and laurel, surmounted by two crossed swords and a Royal crown. On the obverse at the center is a gold lion rampant on a black circular ground surrounded by the words, “L’Union fait la force.” The color of the ribbon is Royal purple.

_The Belgian War Cross._—This cross is made of bronze and is modelled after the French _Croix de Guerre_. It is bestowed upon officers and men who are mentioned in General Orders for conspicuous acts of gallantry in the field during the present war. It was established October 25, 1915.

_The Medal of Queen Elizabeth._—This medal, founded by resolution of September 9, 1916, is bestowed in the name of the Queen upon Belgians or foreigners who have devoted themselves to war work in Belgium.

_Italian War Medals._—In Italy there are four Orders, the Order of Annunziata, the Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, the Military Order of Savoy, and the Order of the Crown of Italy; and a number of military and naval medals, including the Sardinian Medal of the Crimea, the Order of the Thousand of Garibaldi fame, the Medal Commemorating the Unity of Italy, the Medal of the African Campaign, the Medal of the Extreme Orient and the Messina Medal, the latter given to those who distinguished themselves at the time of the Messina earthquake in 1908.

_The Order of Savoy._—This military order was founded by Victor Emmanuel I. in 1815, to reward services in war on land and sea, and its cross is highly prized. It consists of a white enamelled cross resting upon an enamelled wreath and surmounted by a gold trophy of arms and flags. At the center is a cross surrounded by the words, “Al Merito Militare.” The ribbon is dark blue with a broad red stripe.

_The Order of the Crown of Italy._—This order was created in 1868 by Victor Emmanuel II. to reward Italians and foreigners who render conspicuous services to Italy. The cross is of white enamel resting on gold scrolls and bears at the center an iron crown. It is awarded to officers of high rank for services in war.

_The Medal for Military Valor._—This medal of two classes, gold and silver, corresponds to the French _Croix de Guerre_, and is awarded to soldiers and sailors for conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy. The gold medal is very rarely bestowed except as an honor to the memory of a soldier or sailor who has lost his life in the execution of the deed which the medal commemorates. The ribbon is blue.

_Japanese War Medals._—Japan has several orders, the first and best known one being the Order of the Rising Sun, created in 1876. It is the great national Japanese order and is divided into eight classes, being awarded to officials, officers and rarely to civilians. In the military and naval services the first six classes are awarded to officers and the last two to enlisted men. The decoration consists of a medallion enshrined _a cabochon garnet_, placed in the center of eight white enamelled rays bezelled in gold and silver, and it is suspended from a gold paulownia leaf. The ribbon is white with narrow red edges.

_The Order of the Golden Kite._—This order was founded by Emperor Mutsuhito in 1891, to reward acts of especial bravery in battle on land or sea. The decoration consists of a blue enamelled cross surrounded by clustered rays of red enamel, surcharged upon a silver sword from the guard of which rises a golden kite. The ribbon is green with a narrow white stripe near each edge.

In addition to the decorations of the orders there are a number of war medals in bronze awarded to officers and men for participation in the campaigns of the war with China and the war with Russia.

_War Medals of Germany._—Germany has many orders and medals but the one best known as a war medal is the Iron Cross, founded in 1813, to be given to both soldiers and civilians for services to the country. It was revived in 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War. The decoration consists of a black iron cross pattée with a silver edge. At the center is the letter “W”, on the upper arm a crown and on the lower arm the date 1870 for the crosses awarded in that year and 1914 for those awarded in the present war. There are three classes in the order, the size of the cross varying with the class. The ribbon is black with white stripes near each edge for medals awarded to soldiers or sailors and the reverse for those awarded to civilians. The Iron Cross has been lavishly bestowed upon soldiers and sailors in the present war.

FOREIGN DECORATIONS AND MEDALS

1. Military Order of Savoy, Italy 2. Order of Leopold, Belgium

3. Order of St. James of the Sword, Portugal

4. Order of the White Eagle, Serbia]

FOREIGN DECORATIONS AND MEDALS

1. Order of Francis Joseph, Austria 2. Iron Cross, Germany

3. Order of Medjidie, Turkey 4. Order of St. Alexander, Bulgaria]

_Austrian War Medals._—Austria has many orders and decorations, the Order of Francis Joseph being frequently conferred upon high officers for conspicuous service in war. In addition there are distinguished service medals of gold, silver and bronze, according to the importance of the service rewarded, gold and silver medals for bravery in action, and, for services in war alone, the War Decoration for officers and the War Medal for enlisted men.

_Turkish War Medals._—Turkey has awarded many decorations and medals upon her own soldiers and sailors as well as upon those of her allies in different wars and upon citizens of other nations in peace time. The best known of her orders are the Order of the Medjidie and the Order of Osmanieh.

_The Order of the Medjidie._—The decoration of this order consists of a seven-pointed star of cut silver, each point being composed of five rays. Between the points there are seven small crescents and stars and at the center on a gold background is the Sultan’s cypher surrounded by a circle of red enamel bearing an inscription in Turkish.