Ethiopia, Kingdom. A Eritrea Medal Of Haile Selassie I, Ii Class Silver Grade Hold so called Svobodas troops

so called Svobodas troops

Both were in black with the white cross on top

(Orden narodnog oslobodjenja)

Mertsch won the German Cross in Gold in September 1943 and would go on to be the artillery commander of  XIII SS-Armeekorps and finished the war commanding a Kampfgruppe in Czechoslovakia

Distinguished Service Medal Original Ribbon with two Oak Leaf Clusters

Ethiopia, Kingdom. A Eritrea Medal Of Haile Selassie I, Ii Class Silver Grade Hold so called Svobodas troopsIn silvered bronze, measuring 40. 7 mm (w) x 58 mm (h), contact marks and silvering wear evident, original ribbon, very fine. Footnote: The Eritrea Medal was instituted by Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1952, to recognize the services of those involved in the struggle to re unite Eritrea with the Ethiopian Fatherland. The medal was awarded in three classes: I Class Gold Grade, II Class Silver Grade and III Class Bronze Grade. Eritrea was joined in