Spain - Cross Of Merit in Campaign medal for officers of the Spanish Civil War, also known as the War Cross named in memory of Uffz Walter Brötzmann who was shot down in aerial combat by the ace Mikhail Yakushin near Valdemorillo on 25 July 1937, this the first Republican night victory during the Spanish Civil War.
Constructed of gilded and silvered bronze with multi-coloured enamels, the obverse with an eight-pointed silver star, with central medallion in bronze gilt depicting a red, white and blue enamelled Spanish coat of arms, with blue-enamelled border depicting the inscription “AL MÉRIOT EN CAMPAÑA” (“FOR MERIT IN CAMPAIGN”), surrounded by a gilded cross, crossed swords, and a laurel leaf wreath, the reverse with raised barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting an elongated round wire catch, unmarked, reverse with etched inscription reading “UFFZ. WALTER BRÜTZMANN, 7/25/37. /. FÜR KAMPF IN SPANIEN 1936-1939”, measuring 70.91 mm (w) x 71.10 mm (h), weighing 47.8 grams,
Condition: Small Lion device missing from left arm of the gold cross, minor tarnishing of gilt, Very Fine.
Walter Brötzmann
13.10.1912
Naugard, Pomerania 25.07.1937
Northern Valdemorillo K/88
Shot down in aerial combat by the ace Mikhail Yakushin
Madrid Almudena Cemetery, grave preserved.
"At midnight, we received a telephone report of an enemy bombing raid on Republican troops near El Escorial. It was the first time that we had approached the front after dark. The search area was outlined by the fire started by the bombing. Serov remained at our initial altitude of 6500 ft, while I climbed 3250 ft higher. My luck was in, for ten minutes later, I spotted an enemy bomber heading towards me. He would not get away.
Having let him pass, I turned and began to approach him at the same height from his right and behind. We had learned by then that the Junker's fuel tank was positioned near the right wing root. Having approached the target and slowed down, I fired at that area. Flame appeared along the right side of the bomber's fuselage. Almost at once, the enemy gunner responded, but he was too late. His bomber was already going down in flames. I followed him down almost to the ground. After that, we left our patrol area a few minutes early and rushed home to spread the news of our victory. Once out of my cockpit and back on the ground, I was immediately grabbed by Serov. He looked as triumphant as I was because our vertical split formation was his idea!" Mikhail Yakushin
The enemy aircraft, Ju 52/3m "22+76" from 3.K/88, crashed near Valdemorillo and Colmenar. The crew of the German aircraft consisted of Leutnant Leo Falk, Feldwebel George Übelhack, Unteroffizier Fritz Berndt and Unteroffizier Walter Brötzmann, who were all killed. The navigator Unteroffizier Heinz Bottcher survived and was captured. The Germans erected a commemorative tablet there, in memory of their dead comrades.
This was the first Republican night victory during the Spanish Civil War.
Engraved stars were awarded to families of fallen Blue Division aircrew.
