The TMPT Cross
The TMPT cross is a silver eight-armed lily cross (39 millimeters in width). The diagonal arms are shorter than the horizontal and vertical arms. The cross is attached to the ribbon by a silver crown. The length of the cross with crown is 54 millimeters.
In the center of the cross is placed a medallion depicting the Dutch Lion with sword and bundle of arrows. The reverse of the cross is flat with, originally, a letter of the abbreviation "TMPT" on each of the horizontal and vertical arms. Nowadays, this abbreviation is simply written one after the other in the center of the cross. Originally, a rosette was added to the ribbon on a second participation. After World War II, this was abolished.
Upon achieving the second through ninth times and from the eleventh through the twenty-fourth times, the successful participant receives the applicable numeral, which may be affixed to the ribbon of the medal.
On a tenth participation in the TMPT, the arms of the cross are enameled blue and on a 25th participation, the cross is granted in red enamel.
The cross and ribbon were designed by Reserve First Lieutenant with the 5th Field Artillery Regiment A.R. Klein, who was also the first overall leader of the TMPT.
The ribbon of the cross divided into 7 lanes of red and blue. The outer lanes are red. Silver numbers are worn on the ribbon of the cross.
The cross is also the model for the logo of the KVNRO and is also used as the Cross of Merit of this association. In the latter case, the blue enameled Cross is provided with a laurel wreath on the ribbon.
