Cross of Honor with swords

The Cross of Honor, also known as the Honor Cross or, popularly, the Hindenburg Cross, was a comemorative medal inaugurated on July 13, 1934 by Reichspräsident Paul von Hindenburg for those soldiers of Imperial Germany who fought in World War I. It came in three versions: July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with President of Germany. ... Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg, known universally as Paul von Hindenburg (2 October 1847 – 2 August 1934) was a German Field Marshal and statesman. ... Flag of the German Empire, 1871–1918: black-white-red ... Combatants Allies: Serbia, Russia, France, Romania, Belgium, British Empire, United States, Italy, and others Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire Casualties Military dead:5 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:8 million Military dead:4 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:7 million The First World...

• Honor Cross for Combatants (Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer) - for soldiers who fought on the front.
• Honor Cross for War Participants (Ehrenkreuz für Kriegsteilnehmer) - for non-combatant soldiers
• Honor Cross for Next-of-Kin (Ehrenkreuz für Hinterbliebene) - for the next-of-kin of fallen soldiers

The Honor Cross for War Participants differed from the Honor Cross for Combatants by not having the crossed swords. The Honor Cross for Next-of-Kin also lacked swords, was lacquered in black, and had a different ribbon.

After the annexation (Anschluss) of Austria in 1938, Austrian veterans of World War I were also eligible for the Cross of Honor. German troops march into Austria on 12 March 1938. ... Combatants Allies: Serbia, Russia, France, Romania, Belgium, British Empire, United States, Italy, and others Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, Ottoman Empire Casualties Military dead:5 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:8 million Military dead:4 million Civilian dead:3 million Total dead:7 million The First World...

A total of 6,250,000 crosses were awarded to combatants, 1,200,000 were awarded to non-combatants and 720,000 medals were awarded to next-of-kin.