Austria, Republic. An Order of the Knights of Malta, Grand Cross Breast Star of Merit, c. 1950, by E. Gardino Cravanzola Hold mostly escorting flights to bombers

mostly escorting flights to bombers and field protection sorties

An honorary badge for Front Fighters of the World War 1914-1918

reverse with an analogous white enamelled medallion bearing a Gold and enamelled Saxon coat of arms

pinback reverse

measuring 90 mm (w) x 132 mm (h)

Austria, Republic. An Order of the Knights of Malta, Grand Cross Breast Star of Merit, c. 1950, by E. Gardino Cravanzola Hold mostly escorting flights to bombers(Souverner Ritter und Hospitalorden vom heiligen Johannes von Jerusalem von Rhodos und von Malta). Instituted circa 1099 (c. 1950 issue). Constructed of silver, silver gilt, and red and white enamels, consisting of a eight pointed star with five quills between the arms of the cross, the obverse with a central cross with white enameled arms bearing a central red enameled medallion with a white enameled Maltese Cross, surrounded by a white ring of