Paraguay, Republic. A National Order of Merit, Grand Cross Set, c.1970 Archive A note on the reverse

A note on the reverse states that is was taken Christmas 1941 in the Valdai Hills (northern Russia)

with one hole evident in the fabric on the left side near the opening

Due to an illness he had to give up command

with Hausser’s handwritten signature in blue ink clearly visible at the lower left corner

before the British bombers went over so that we could maybe inactivate that airfield

Paraguay, Republic. A National Order of Merit, Grand Cross Set, c.1970 Archive A note on the reverse(Orden Nacional del Mrito). Instituted April 8, 1865. Reinstituted June 23, 1939 and amended September 7 1956. Type III (1956 ). In silver gilt, a white enamelled five point star with large ball finials, three rays emulating between each quadrant, a half laurel and half oak leaf green enamel wreath connecting the tips of the arms, the obverse medallion features a lion head surrounded by a blue enamel ring inscribed HONOR ET GLORIA, the reverse