Both combat bars are affixed to an original piece of ribbon and made from gilt bronze with two flat wire prongs attached to the reverse of each.

The defeat and Relief of Tientsin was part of Admiral Seymour’s attempt to support the embassies in Peking. Tientsin was only 120 km away by rail to Peking and earmarked as operational base for the following events. The remaining troops were immediately under siege by the boxers and Chinese troops after Seymour departed for Peking on June 16, 1900. The city was finally freed on July 18, 1900, with the help of an international contingent of about 16,000 men. The bar Tientsin was given to:

a) all German participants of the siege (444 soldiers)

b) the men of the Tientsin-Seige-Detachment under command of lieutenant commander Kuehne. (189 soldiers)

c) the company from S.M.S. “Gefion” under command of lieutenant commander Wedding (~85 soldiers)

d) two companies of member of the III. Seebatalion under command of major Christ (248 Soldiers)

a total of 970 men. German losses counted 12 dead and 41 wounded.

The events around April 23 and 24, 1901, left 8 dead and 53 wounded German soldiers. The 1st Peace treaty from January 1901 did not work and triggered German and French troops to go to battle in the vicinity of the Huolu pass. General Liu and his troops of 15.000 were defeated by General Lieutenant von Lessel commanding the 1st brigade of about 4000 French soldiers under General Bailloud and the 2nd brigade consisting of the 2. Ostasiat. Infanterie-Brig. under command of General Kettler.

The bar Houlu was given to 117 officers and 3618 soldiers.

Interesting pair of combat bars to the China commemorative medal.