WW2 NETHERLANDS CROSS OF THE ORDER OF PEACE MEDAL INDONESIA – DUTCH EAST INDIES

An original Netherlands Order of the Cross of Peace.

40mm wide eight-pointed bronze star with integral crown suspension; the face with a circular central medallion with the letter W, encircled by a garter inscribed ORDE - VREDE (Order - Peace) surmounted by crossed daggers; the reverse plain with makers marks FS.INV  and KON   BEGEER VOORSCHOTE; on original unmounted ribbon in the Dutch style with 1946,1947 & 1948 bars.

The Cross was instituted on 2 December 1947 for military with a minimum 3 months service in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) between 1945 and 1949. After the end of World War II, Dutch forces succeeded in reimposing control over most of Indonesia but were met with resistance and guerilla warfare. Faced with mounting international criticism and with no end to the conflict in sight, the Dutch withdrew in December 1949 and Indonesia became independent. A very good example, rare with all three bars.