The Freikorps, or free corps, was a German phenomenon in the turbulent years after World War I. The harsh terms of the Versailles treaty decimated the German army to 100.000 men, which made Germany a weak military power in relation to its vast population. The demobilized soldiers of the old imperial army was still armed and would soon gather around charismatic officers. These groups were called Freikorps, almost exclusively right-wing, these private armies fought battles in German cities agains communists, fought wars against insurgents in Silesia and the Baltics. Some even fought on the white side in the Russian civil war. Their power was not centralized, but was still immense. Called sometimes the black Reichswehr, the Freikorps lust for battle found an end in the Kapp-putsch in March 1920 where they sought to overthrow the republic. After this event the republican government, whom had previously used the Freikorps for their own affairs, banned them all. Some of them reemerged under new names and still continued to fight communism in Germany, like Oberland or the groups tied to Hermann Ehrhardt and Gerhard Roßbach, others just vanished into the Reichswehr.
Westrussische Befreiungsarmee–Avalov Cross 2nd class (c. 1919) – RRRRR The West Russian Volunteer Army, or Bermontians, was commanded by Prince Pavel Bermondt-Avalov. Unlike many of the other Entente-backed Russian units on the white side in the Russian Civil War, the West Russian Volunteer Army was in fact created by Germany. It fought in the Baltics and in the Russian Civil War. Its ranks were bolstered by German Freikorps like the Iron Division, the German Legion, Freikorps Roßbach and others. These crosses were awarded to Germans and the black ribbon bears the Russian colors as well as the German imperial colors. Finding an original cross is almost impossible as the few known examples are never seen for sale. To this day, only two original crosses can be found on the internet, this being one of them. Poor fakes, however, are easy to find. This cross, made of solid silver and enamel was made by the firm C.G Ulrich in Hamburg and was awarded to a German volunteer in the Iron Division named Karl Zöller.
Eiserne Division–Commemorative Medal (1920 – 1935) – RRR The West Russian Volunteer Army, or Bermontians, was commanded by Prince Pavel Bermondt-Avalov. Unlike many of the other Entente-backed Russian units on the white side in the Russian Civil War, the West Russian Volunteer Army was in fact created by Germany. The Iron Division was an integral part of the West Russian Volunteer Army. The veterans fighting in the unit was awarded this medal for their service. It was awarded between the years 1920-1935 when it was prohibited from wear.
Freikorps Oberland–Tiroler Adler derTiroler Sturmzug (1921) – RRRR Rare award to the members of the Tiroler Sturmzug of Freikorps Oberland for the storming of Kandrzin in Oberschlesien in 1921. Only about 70 of these medals were awarded making them some of the rarer ones.
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