Silesian Eagle

The Silesian probation emblems and even popular Silesian eagle called, was a Freikorps award in the period of the Weimar Republic. It turns; changed stylistically, the Wappenadler Silesia dar.

The Silesian eagle was on 16 June in 1919 by HQ VI. Army Corps for the members of the Border Guard of the VI. Army Corps, which are rushed in the time of greatest need of the province to arms, as an outward sign of the honorable remembrance and patriotic public spirit and for all those who for the years 1918 and 1919 as a fighter to defend the native soil available have provided, donated in two stages:

  • II stage after exemplary service after three months in the same military unit
  • I. stage after six months of good service with the Border Patrol for Silesia in the same military unit.

The religious character made ​​of iron shows an upstanding, right -looking blackened or bräunierten Adler, who is busy on the chest and the wings with a gold-colored flat in the cavity occupied by a cross crescent. In its talons the eagle carries a ribbon with the inscription FOR Silesia. The unofficial enameled version of the award comes from 1921.

The stage I was born as a plug badge on the left chest, the second degree of a vertical yellow-white- yellow striped ribbon ( the colors of Silesia ).

The badge had the Beliehenen procured, the price of each step was about 3.50 marks. The enameled version was more expensive.

In exceptional cases, the II stage could also be awarded to civilians, who had rendered outstanding services to the defense of Silesia.

It was originally intended that the award caused by the Treaty of Versailles, June 28, 1919 expiration of the General Commands VI. set on September 30, 1919. The nunmehrige command point VI. in Breslau put the ceremonies continued but. On January 13, 1920 was of commanding general of the VI. Army Corps Lieutenant General Friedrich von Friedeburg (1866-1933) set as the deadline for the awards February 1, 1920.

After losing to Poland in Upper Silesia plebiscite on March 20, 1921 and the preparation of the self-defense of Upper Silesia in the spring of 1921, the fighting flared up again with the outbreak of the 3rd Polish uprising on May 3, 1921. Thus, the need to give the Silesian probation badge again arose. Crucial for the following awards, however, was no longer the timed service, but the fighting spirit.

As already had received the award earlier a number of members of the troupe, founded General retired lieutenant Charles Hoefer as leader of the Upper Silesian self-protection, in agreement with the command point VI. in Oberglogau on July 1, 1921, the Oak Leaves to the Silesian eagle. Moreover, in the same year, the swords were introduced so that there was at that time a total of two stages in four variants each

  • II stage
  • II level with oak leaves
  • II stage with swords
  • II stage with Oak Leaves and Swords
  • I. level
  • I. Level with Oak Leaves
  • I. stage with swords
  • I. Level with Oak Leaves and Swords.

It was only on May 15, 1934, the Silesian eagle in the form of the original foundation, without oak leaves and swords, by § 5 paragraph 1 b) Amendment Act ( RGBl. I, No. 52 v. May 16, 1934, S. 379 ) to the Law on titles, orders & decorations officially recognized as a national award. In the Federal Republic of Germany may award pursuant to § 6 para 1 No. 1 of the Law on titles, medals and decorations from 26 July 1957 (Federal Law Gazette I, No. 37 v. August 5, 1957, pp. 844-847 ) be worn.

VI Corps (German Empire) Wrocław Karl Höfer
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