129 - Wehrmacht field cutlery fork “GAG 42” and medal Luftgaukommando Belgien-Nordfrankreich, 1942/1944

Wehrmacht field cutlery fork “GAG 42” and medal Luftgaukommando Belgien-Nordfrankreich, 1942/1944 1) Table fork, steel, four tines, flat wide handle, marked on the reverse “GAG” in a rectangle and “42” as well as stamped national eagle. Condition commensurate with age, surface with fine scratches from use. L. 19.5 cm. 2) Non-wearable medal, darkly patinated metal. Obverse with seated lion on a base plate, below inscribed “HV”, above two crossed oak leaf branches, a star on each side, legend “Erhalten bleiben muss die deutsche Nation”. Reverse with surrounding oak leaf wreath, within at the top an Iron Cross, six-line inscription “Für treue Dienstleistungen im Bereich des Luftgaukommandos Belgien-Nordfrankreich”, below a flying Luftwaffe eagle. Crisp relief, light rubbing to the high points. D. 4 cm. The mark “GAG” stands for the cutlery factory Gustav Auerswald in Grünhain in Saxony, the 42 for the year of manufacture 1942; the fork belongs to the four-piece field cutlery of the Wehrmacht comprising knife, fork, spoon and can opener. The Luftgaukommando Belgien-Nordfrankreich, established in May 1940 in Brussels and designated Feldluftgaukommando from the end of 1943, was the territorial administrative and supply authority of the Luftwaffe for Belgium and northern France; its commander from 1940 to 1944 was General der Flieger Wilhelm Wimmer. The award for loyal service was first instituted in 1943 as a plaque, the round medal followed in 1944. The lion motif follows the Lion Monument at Waterloo.