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Germany: Boer War: General Cronye / Dem Besten Schützen

Germany: Boer War: General Cronye / Dem Besten SchützenGermany: Boer War: General Cronye / Dem Besten Schützen
Form: Circular with attached loop
By: German made.
Date: 1900 ?
Ref:  Laidlaw: 0757a;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
27 mmWhite Metal6.9 gm$35

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Within a beaded border round the rim, bust of bearded General Cronjé in hat with bandoleer across chest, front and tuned slightly left. Legend: “GENERAL CRONYE (sic)”, sprig of laurel before, stop after.

Reverse: Within a beaded border round the rim, oak wreath tied at the bottom containing across: “DEM / BESTEN / SCHÜTZEN (the best protection)”.

Notes: Probably a shooting medal. Three similar medals were made:
General Cronye / Dem Besten Schützen
S.J. Paul Kruger / General Cronye
S.J. Paul Kruger / Dem Besten Schützen

Pieter Arnoldus Cronjé (1836 – 1911) was a Z.A. Republiek general in the Anglo-Boer wars of 1880-1881 and 1899-1902. He was defeated at the Battle of Paardeberg where he and 4,150 commandos surrendered to Lord Roberts on 27 February 1900. He spent the remainder of the war as a POW on St. Helena.