Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Marshal Waldersee
Homecoming Silver Commemorative Badge
瓦德西元帥
歸國銀質紀念章
Item number: M225
Year: AD 1901
Material: Silver
Size: 31.1 x 31.1 mm
Weight: 56.25 g (with box)
Provenance: WAG 2024
This is a silver commemorative badge issued in August AD 1901 to celebrate the return of Field Marshal Alfred von Waldersee, the commander of the German expeditionary forces, from China. The obverse side of the badge features a beaded circle around the edge. Inside, there is a half-length portrait of Field Marshal von Waldersee in military uniform adorned with medals. The upper edge of the medal is inscribed with the German title “GENERALFELDMARSCHALL GRAF v.WALDERSEE,” meaning “Field Marshal Count von Waldersee.”
The reverse side of the badge also features a beaded circle along the edge. The lower edge is inscribed with the date of the expeditionary forces’ return, “AUGUST 1901.” The central image intricately depicts a scene outside the port of Hamburg, where the SMY Hohenzollern, exclusive to Kaiser Wilhelm II, is saluting a troopship. The upper edge of the medal is inscribed with “RÜCKKEHR A. CHINA. ANKUNFT I. DEUTSCHLAND,” which translates to “Return from China, Arrival in Germany.”
Field Marshal Alfred von Waldersee came from a noble German family, hence the middle name “von.” Both his father and grandfather were generals. On June 20, AD 1900, upon receiving news of the assassination of German Minister Clemens von Ketteler in China, Kaiser Wilhelm II promoted Waldersee, then Chief of the General Staff, to Field Marshal and appointed him to command the German expeditionary force. He also secured his role as the overall commander of the Eight-Nation Alliance forces.
However, by the time Waldersee arrived in China, the Allied forces had already captured Beijing. Thus, his primary tasks were to suppress the remaining Boxer forces in northern China and to negotiate with the Qing government. Beginning in March AD 1901, to avoid escalating tensions with Britain and Russia, Waldersee gradually sent German troops back home. He returned to Hamburg, Germany, in August AD 1901. Shortly after his return, Waldersee passed away on March 5, AD 1904, at the age of 71.