Main category

War Memorial Cross

1939–1945 (WWII)

After 1945 (present day)

The War Commemoration Cross was established on 16 March 1944 as a reward for military personnel and civilians who, from 10 May 1940 onwards, had actually fought against the enemy for at least six months and, in doing so, had demonstrated a conscientious fulfilment of their dutiesand good conduct in all respects. Only one bar for general military operations and various bars for special military operations may be worn simultaneously on the ribbon of the War Commemoration Cross.

The War Remembrance Cross was struck at Koninklijke Begeer; it was designed by Frans Smits.

The War Memorial Cross is listed in the decree on the order of precedence for honours, as laid down by the Minister of the Interior.

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General

Start date	1944
End date
Captions	voorzijde: VOOR KRIJGSVERRICHTINGEN
Dimensions [width]	40 mm
Material	bronze
Number

Background

Institutional decision	Royal Decree, 16 March 1944, No. 6 (Bulletin of Acts and Decrees No. E 16)
Additions	Royal Decree, 10 June 1947; Royal Decree, 6 January 1948 (Bulletin of Acts and Decrees No. I 6)
Objective	Established as a reward for military personnel and civilians who, from 10 May 1940 onwards, actually fought against the enemy for at least six months and, in doing so, demonstrated a sound sense of duty and good conduct in every respect.
(Historical) context
Producer	Koninklijke Begeer; Frans Smits
Bibliography	Orders and Decorations of the Netherlands, 92–96
Note	The War Commemoration Cross was established in March 1944. Initially, the intention was to give the decoration the same design as the Cross for Distinguished Military Service, omitting the inscription ‘FOR DISTINGUISHED MILITARY SERVICE’. Five bars were attached to the War Commemoration Cross for general military operations: WAR AT SEA 1940–1944, WAR FLIGHTS 1940–1944, WAR SERVICE – MERCHANT NAVY 1940–1944, WAR SERVICE – FISHERIES 1940–1944 and WAR ON LAND 1940–1944, and four bars for special military operations: THE NETHERLANDS MAY 1940, DUTCH EAST INDIES 1941–1942, JAVA SEA 1941–1942 and NORTH AFRICA–ITALY 1942–1944.
Note	By Royal Decree of 10 June 1947, the War Memorial Cross took on its current form. In 1948, the nine bars were abolished and replaced by five bars for general military operations: WAR AT SEA 1940–1945, WAR EVACUATIONS 1940–1945, WAR SERVICE – MERCHANT NAVY 1940–1945, WAR SERVICE – FISHERIES 1940–1945 and WAR ON LAND 1940–1945 and seven buckles for special military operations: THE NETHERLANDS MAY 1940, THE DUTCH EAST INDIES 1941–1942, THE JAVA SEA 1941–1942, MEDITERRANEAN 1940–1945, ARNHEM – NIJMEGEN – WALCHEREN 1944, NORMANDY 1944 and EAST ASIA – SOUTH PACIFIC 1943–1945
Note	Only one bar for general military operations and several bars for special military operations may be worn on the ribbon of the War Memorial Cross at any one time.