***Antonio Wednesday’s Wonders ***
A commemorative medal of the IR 88.
Another of my “open fronts”, the commemorative medals. This time, I am showing the 100 Years (1808 – 1908) commemorative medal of the ”2. Nassauisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 88”. The reality is, that this Regiment was created in 1866 but in 1899, it was decided to remember the Nassau Troops created under the Napoleon command in 1808.
This type of medal was quite popular during the Kaiserreich. Not something, that a soldier could wear the whole time, but to be worn in specific dates or events.
What I most like about the medal is, the back part of it; the list of battles, where this regiment took part.
We see names like “Mesas de Ibor” o “Medellin”. Those were battles, where the Nassau troops took part. Both ended with French victories during the Spanish Independence war, possibly one of the worst events in the history of Spain, with a huge level of destruction at all levels.
As many other German states, Nassau changed sides and also joined “La Belle Alliance”. Those 3 names mentioned before, appeared too in their Pickelhaube. Please see the Pickelhaube picture in the Book from Chris Dale: “Traditions of the Imperial Germany Infantry Regiments”, in the section speaking over this Regiment.
After those names, we see also Weissenburg, Wörth, Sedan, Paris and Mont Valerien. Those were the places, where this Regiment fought during the Franco Prussian War of 1870/1871.
The Regiment started the First World War as part of the 41th Infanterie Brigade in the 21. Infanterie Division. They were a very important part of the troops, who started the infamous battle of Verdun. Still during 1916, they would be able to take part in other “Hells”, like the Somme.
So another Medal in the collection… see what its next.
Sources:
“Traditions of the Imperial Germany Infantry Regiments”. Chris Dale.