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Austria-Hungary: Group of three to Austro-Hungariansoldier Sandor Tibor of the 6th Company, 32nd K. u. K. Infantry Regiment: 1) Karl Truppen-Kreuz 1916, with originalaward document dated 19 September 1918; 2) Hungarian Front Line Fighter’s badge1914-1918 (Országos Frontharcos Szövetség); 3) Hungarian War Disabled badge 1931 (Hadirokkant jelvény).
Kaiser und Koenig Karl authorized the Karl Truppen-Kreuz onDecember 13, 1916, for Austro-Hungarian soldiers that served at least twelveweeks field service before the enemy, or who had participated in at least onebattle; airmen who had made ten flights over enemy lines were also eligible. In1914, the 32nd Infantry Regiment was comprised of 91% Hungarians. It initiallywas sent to Slovenia to fight against Serbia, and was subsequently transferredto Galicia to fight the Russians. The cross was struck in war metal (zinc) bythe firm of Winter & Adler; the maker-mark “W&A” is stamped on theedge of the right arm of the cross. Thecross is in extremely fine condition and is on the original ribbon.
The Hungarian Front-Line Fighters’ Association was foundedon December 24, 1931, with the mission of helping disabled veterans, theirwidows and orphans. The membership badge(27 x 17 mm) was designed and manufactured by Nándor Berán, himself a veteran (see Magyar Front, Vol. XI, Issue 2; Spring2009; p. 4). Membership required a minimum of 12 weeks of frontline service;therefore, all recipients of the Karl Truppen-Kreuz were eligible formembership. Alternatively, soldiers wounded, taken prisoner or awarded a medalor decoration for bravery were eligible, regardless of time at the front. Thisbronze and enamel badge is in near extremely fine condition; the gilt cross inthe background has faded only slightly around the edges; there is no damage orcracking to the enamel. The reverse sideof the badge bears the hallmarks of Berán.
The Hungarian War Disabled badge (22 x 28 mm) was created bythe Ministry of Defense on March 31, 1931, and was awarded to veterans woundedin the war, or those that contracted an illness as a result war service, andthereby had a 25% or greater disability (see Houston, Arthur and Koundakjian, Vicken;Wound Medals, Insignia and Next-Of-Kin Awards (1995) pp. 81-83). This scarcebadge was struck in bronze and is in near extremely fine condition; there is asmall amount of light verdigris on the reverse. Logically, Sandor would havereceived the Karl Wound Medal, but the location of that medal is unknown.Authenticity guaranteed; 14-day return privilege (30 days overseas), excludingpostage,
