K-261
OCCUPATION OF THE MAIN PROVINCE
(Besetzung des Maingaues)
1920, Cast bronze, Satirical medal, 58.9mm, 49.10g., Rim-punched; "K•GoeTz".
Obverse: Ferdinand Foch, French Supreme Commander, as a giant, sits on top of the Frankfurt City Hall flexing his sword. Rim inscription, "Besetzung des Maingaues 6.4.1920" (Occupation of the Mainz District). KG bisected with water fountain.
Reverse: A Frenchman walks off with a bag labeled, "1 Million Mark- Burgschaft vom Frankfurt" (1 Million Marks- Bail from Frankfurt), and leaves as security a knout with the handle marked "Iruckversicherung" (Reassurance) along with the heads of six distinguished Frankfurt citizens that were taken hostage. A jack-in-the-box marked, "Ruhr gespenst" (Ruhr Ghost), sits nearby. Inscription in border,"Der klägliche Ruchzug" (The Pitiful Retreat). Dated, May 17, 1920.
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This piece is also known in the following composition and size:
36mm Struck bronze
36mm Struck aluminum
36mm Struck silver with rim stamp, BAYER.HAUPTMÜNZAMT.SILBER 900f
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A communist outbreak in the industrial regions of the Ruhr had led Germany to ask permission to quell the disturbance by use of troops. The British had been inclined to grant the request, France however, had opposed it. The Germans took matters into their own hands and moved the Reichswehr into the demilitarized zone. The French immediately occupied Frankfurt and Darmstadt in retaliation. Under articles 42 and 43 of the Versailles Treaty Germany was forbidden to maintain or assemble troops either permanently or temporarily in the demilitarized zone. When the Germans withdrew their troops from the Ruhr area, France began to evacuate Frankfurt and Darmstadt.
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