Physical Description

A smooth circular medal with a raised border, constructed of cannon bronze. The obverse features a wreath of laurel, tied at the bottom by a ribbon and open at the top, inside the crowned monogram ‘KW II’ and below the inscription ‘SEINEN TAPFERN HESSEN 1821’ (‘Prince-Elector Wilhelm II. to his brave Hessians’). The reverse features a George’s cross with a wreath of laurel between the arms, with two crossed lances through the centre and a knight’s helmet with closed visor and ostrich feathers on the 12 o’clock arm. The cross’ medallion features a wreath of laurel with the dates ‘1814/1815‘ in the centre. The circular inscription reads ‘GOTT BRACH DES FEINDES MACHT UND HESSEN WARD BEFREIT’ (‘God crushed the enemy’s strength and Hesse was liberated’). The rim features the inscription ‘AUS EROBERTEM GESCHÜTZ’ (‘made of conquered cannons’). On a loop for suspension, on a dark blue ribbon with broad red borders.
Gilt specimens are known to exist, however, these are unofficial.

History

The Campaign Merit Medal was instituted by Elector Wilhelm II and was conferred upon military personnel who crossed the Rhine to fight in the 1814 and 1815 campaigns against Napoleon.

The Bronze Medal was conferred upon combatants.

The medals were forged from captured enemy canons.