The Dutch NSB Party under Anton Mussert produced and issued many awards to legion volunteers and party members. One of the most recognizable and prestigious awards is the so-called Mussert Cross.

The Dutch Nazi Party "NSB" under the leadership of Anton Mussert instituted a special Bravery and Merit award for NSB members in German service. This Dutch made award commonly known as the Mussert Cross comes in two classes; with swords for combatants and without swords (very rare) for non-combatants. The cross is made of three parts from enamel and high quality gilt finished metal. The outside edge of the cross is in black enamel on both sides with inner portion finished in translucent red. A separate white disc is soldered to the front and back of the cross. The front side shows gilt wolf hook over swastika with oak leaves. The back side shows around the top edge of the circle the motto of the NSB in gilt "Hou En Trou" and oak leaves on the bottom edge. The center of the disc has the name "MUSSERT and date 1941." The ribbon shows the Dutch National Colors. The ribbon colors are sky blue, white with thin orange strip to the center, white and sky blue. The award came in a two piece maroon outer card case. The award was probably worn eventhough it was not authorized to be worn on German uniform.

Above is a nice rare example of the Mussert Cross, ribbon bar and case. The award and ribbon bar are placed in a cardboard case of maroon color with golden stripes. The interior is covered in bergundy velvet.

The "Mussert plaquette" (Mussert Plaque), also referred as "Eastern Front" Plaque, were issued to family members to commemorate or honor those volunteers who fell in action on the Eastern Front. There is a possibility that these plaques were presented with a certificate.
The plaques were etched on a plain surface made of zinc. The size is approx. 67mm by 41mm. These plaques were presented in a plain, black cardboard box lined with purple velvet. These plaques are very rare and only less than 20 are found in collections.

The "Weer Afdeelingen" (Defense Sections) were the Storm troopers of the NSB. Military sporting events were held for W.A. troops and successful winners were awarded with the military sport badge. The sport badge shows in the background a Laurel with the NSB emblem "wolf hook" in front. The reverse is hollow with two small loop rings that holds the pin. This die stamped badge was awarded in two classes- silver and bronze gilt. Badge shown above is Gilt class. The badge is very large it measures 53mm in diameter. It was instituted on 13 September 1941.

Not much is known about this badge. I know that this badge was awarded to Dutch volunteers who served in the "NSKK" German Motorized Transport service and existed in three classes bronze, silver and gold. I believe that this is a Honor NSKK badge awarded to eastern front volunteers. The badge is die struck and is made of an alloy composed of bronze-copper. In the front center it shows the Dutch party emblem "wolf-hook" with a German helmet on the left side and a sword facing down on the right side. On the background it shows a transport tire with an inscription "TROUW" (Loyalty) on top. The hollow back shows a Belgium style "C" catch and thin pin. The badge measures 46.8mm x 51.2mm.

Recent information has surface thanks to my Dutch colleague Alex Dekker who is currently writing a book on Dutch Volunteers and has kindly provided the following information taken from his book. According to the Dutch published NSKK-paper 'Alles sal reg kom 1e jaargang, extra nummer November 1943' the following qualifications for the bronze class are:

1. The men who were in Russia for 6 months. These men who are/were wearing the "Winterschlacht" (Eastern Front) medal.
2. The men who were wounded during service in the battle for Milorowo (wearers of the Verwundetenabzeichen).
3.The men who applied voluntary for guard-duties in Makajewka.

The medal will be recieved during Christmas. Those who think that they deserve the medal, should apply at the staff offices located in Brussels, Belgium and Utrecht, Holland.
Miloworo and Makajewka were key-cities during siege for Stalingrad and in both these cities the NSKK had to provide ammunition and food for the 6th Army (which was supplied by air) and the armies who had to break open the Kessel.
Two questions remain: what the qualifications were for the silver badge and for the gold badge. If anybody has information relating to this please let me know?

Illustrated above is a Dutch arm shield and headgear that is normally associated to the "Weer Afdeelingen (W.A.)" storm troopers of the N.S.B. However, this insignia with the gold embroidered wolf hook and border was also issued and worn by Dutch NSKK volunteers whether they were ex-N.S.B. members or not.

Never before seen interesting picture showing a Dutch NSKK volunteer wearing the rare NSKK Honor Badge from the collection of Dian Notebaert.

Most of the Dutch NSKK volunteers came under the control of the German Luftwaffe. The Dutch NSKK saw active service in the Eastern Front as the "NSKK Regiment Niederlande."According to Littlejohn's book, volume 2 of Foreign Legions of the Third Reich; Dutch NSKK troops took more then a thousand Russian prisoners and were awarded with twenty five Iron Crosses.
It interesting to note that several hundred Dutch NSKK men fought under the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. These men were attached to the "NSKK Transportgruppe Luftwaffe/2.Brig/2.Bat./6.Regiment."
Only 50 came out of the Kessel and it is believe that all were decorated with the NSKK badge.

Very rare Eastern Medal Award document given to a Dutch volunteer assigned to the Pz-Gren, Regiment General Seyffardt of the 4th SS Panzer-Grenadier Brigade "Nederland” from the collection of Mr. Rene van der Toorn. During the summer of 1942 when this award was rendered to the recipient, the 4th SS Pz-Gren Brigade was being refitted in Germany.