Spain, Spanish State. Spanish War Cross Star and A Blue Division Medal

1. (Al Merito en Campana). Instituted in 1938. Eight-pointed star in silver with blue, white, and red enamel pieces, centrepiece shows the symbols of Leon and Castile surrounded by ring in blue enamel with the inscription “AL MÉRITO EN CAMPAÑA”, vertical pinback, 61.7 mm, extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: The War Cross was instituted in 1938 and awarded in recognition of battlefield bravery. 

2. Instituted in 1944. In bronze, obverse shows German Army helmet above two shields bearing the Wehrmacht eagle and the Falange symbol, shields superimposed on sword with a swastika, reverse inscription reads “División Española de Voluntarios en Rusia” with the Iron Cross, on original striped ribbon, inclusive of loop 44.3 mm (h) x 32.4 mm (w), evidence of some fraying on ribbon, extremely fine condition. 

Footnote: The medal was commissioned on 3 January 1944, was awarded by the Third Reich to recognize the men of the Blue Division who served at the Russian front during World War II.