The Iron Cross (German: Eisernes Kreuz) is a military decoration of Germany which was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and first awarded on 10 March 1813. The Iron Cross is only awarded in wartime: in addition to the Napoleonic Wars, awards were made during the Franco-Prussian War, and the First and Second World Wars. The Iron Cross is perhaps most directly associated as a medal of Nazi Germany. German (called Deutsch in German; in German the term germanisch is equivalent to English Germanic), is a member of the western group of Germanic languages and is one of the worlds major languages. ... A military decoration is a decoration given to military personnel or units for heroism in battle or distinguished service. ... Frederick William III Frederick William III, known in German as Friedrich Wilhelm III, reigned as king of Prussia from 1797 to 1840. ... The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Prussia, 1701-1918 The word Prussia ( German: Preußen or Preussen, Polish: Prusy, Lithuanian: Prūsai, Latin: Borussia) has had various (often contradictory) meanings: The land of the Baltic Prussians (in what is now parts of southern Lithuania, the Kaliningrad exclave of Russia and... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in Leap years). ... 1813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Napoleonic Wars lasted from 1804 until 1815. ... Battle of Gravelotte Main article: Battle of Gravelotte Battle of Sedan Main article: Battle of Sedan The French were soundly defeated in several battles owing to the military superiority of the Prussian forces and their commanders. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Between 1933 and 1945, the Nation State of Nazi Germany created and bestowed a new era of military decorations which have since become synonomous with the entity known as the Third Reich. ...

Design

1813 Iron Cross

1870 Iron Cross

The Iron Cross (a black four-pointed cross with white trim, with the arms widening towards the ends, similar to a Maltese cross) was designed by the neo-classical architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel and reflects the cross borne by the Teutonic knights in the 14th century which was also the emblem of Frederick the Great. When the Quadriga of the Goddess of Peace was retrieved from Paris at Napoleon's fall, the Goddess was re-established atop Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. An Iron Cross was substituted for her laurel wreath, making her into a Goddess of Victory. A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars intersecting each other at a 90° angle, dividing one or two of the lines in half. ... Maltese Cross may refer to: The Maltese Cross, a symbol of the Christian warrior since the First Crusade. ... Schinkels Neues Schauspielhaus (New Theatre), Berlin Karl Friedrich Schinkel (March 13, 1781 - October 9, 1841) German architect and painter. ... Teutonic Knights Castle in Malbork (Marienburg) The Teutonic Order (German: Deutscher Orden, Latin: Ordo domus Sanctæ Mariæ Theutonicorum) was a crusading order of knights under Roman Catholic religious vows which was formed at the end of the 12th century in Palestine to give medical aid to pilgrims to the holy... (13th century - 14th century - 15th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 14th century was that century which lasted from 1301 to 1400. ... Frederick the Great Frederick II of Prussia (Friedrich der Große, Frederick the Great, January 24, 1712 – August 17, 1786) was the Hohenzollern king of Prussia 1740–86. ... A quadriga (from the Latin language quadri-, four, and jungere, to yoke) is a four-horse chariot, raced in the Olympic Games and other sacred games, and represented in profile as the usual chariot of gods and heroes on Greek vases and bas-reliefs. ... For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... The Brandenburg Gate (German: Brandenburger Tor) is a triumphal arch, the symbol of Germany. ... The name Laurel is widely used in English, once being a moderately common name typically for girls; also as Laurie. ... A wreath is a ring made of flowers, leaves, and sometimes fruits, used as an ornament, hanging on a wall or door, or resting on a table. ... In Roman mythology, Victoria was the goddess of victory. ...

World War I Iron Cross

1939 Bar to the 1914 Iron Cross

In contrast to many other medals, the Iron Cross has a very simple design, unadorned, and is made from relatively cheap and common materials. It was traditionally cast in iron (although, in later years, the decoration was cast in zinc and aluminium). General Name, Symbol, Number iron, Fe, 26 Chemical series transition metal Group, Period, Block 8 (VIIIB), 4 , d Density, Hardness 7874 kg/m3, 4. ... General Name, Symbol, Number zinc, Zn, 30 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 4, d Density, Hardness 7140 kg/m3, 2. ... General Name, Symbol, Number aluminium, Al, 13 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 13 (IIIA), 3, p Density, Hardness 2700 kg/m3, 2. ...

The ribbon for the 1813, 1870, and 1914 Iron Cross (2nd Class) was black with two thin white bands. The non-combatant version of this award had the same medal, but the black and white colors on the ribbon were reversed. A ribbon is a thin band of flexible material, typically cloth but also plastic or sometimes metal, used primarily for binding and tying. ... Non-combatant is a military and legal term describing civilians not engaged in combat. ...

Since the Iron Cross was issued over several different periods of German history, the Iron Cross is annoted by a year numeral, to indicate in which historical period the Iron Cross was issued: so, for example, an Iron Cross from the First World War would be annoted with the year numeral "1914", while the same decoration from the Second World War would be annoted with the numeral "1939". All Iron Crosses from the Second World War also contained a swastika centered on the decoration. The reverse of the 1870, 1914, and 1939 series Iron Crosses had the year "1813" annoted on the lower arm, symbolizing the year the award was first created. The swastika is a cross with its arms 90° to either right or left. ...

It was also possible for a holder of the 1914 Iron Cross to be awarded a higher grade of the 1939 Iron Cross. A reward of the first or second class was also possible. In such cases, a "1939 Clasp" ("spange") would be worn on the original 1914 Iron Cross. (A similar award was made in 1914, but that was quite rare, since there were few in service who held the 1870 Iron Cross.)

Early awards

The Iron Cross was awarded first in 1813, during the Napoleonic Wars. The German King, Wilhelm I authorised further awards on 19 July 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War. Recipients of the 1870 Iron Cross who were still in service in 1895 received a 25 year clasp. The Iron Cross was reauthorized by Kaiser Wilhelm II on 5 August 1914, at the start of the First World War. For the head of state, see Monarch. ... Wilhelm I of Germany Wilhelm I, (March 22, 1797 - March 9, 1888), German Emperor (Kaiser), ruled January 18, 1871-1888 and king of Prussia, ruled 1861-1888. ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ... 1870 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1895 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Wilhelm II of Prussia and Germany, Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albert von Hohenzollern (January 27, 1859 - June 4, 1941) was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and the last King (König) of Prussia from 1888 - 1918. ... August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. ... 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...

The 1813, 1870 and 1914 Iron Crosses had three grades:

• Iron Cross 2nd Class
• Iron Cross 1st Class
• Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, often simply Großkreuz)

The Grand Cross was intended for senior Generals of the German Army. An even higher decoration, the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, was only awarded twice, to Prince von Blücher in 1813 and to Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg in 1918. A third award was planned for the most successful German general during the Second World War, but was not made after the defeat of Germany in 1945. German (called Deutsch in German; in German the term germanisch is equivalent to English Germanic), is a member of the western group of Germanic languages and is one of the worlds major languages. ... Blücherstern The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire. ... Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (December 16, 1742 in Rostock (Mecklenburg) - September 12, 1819) in Krieblowitz (Silesia), count, later elevated Prince of Wahlstatt, was a Prussian general who led his army against Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. ... 1813 is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Paul von Hindenburg President of Germany Paul von Hindenburg (full name Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg) ( October 2, 1847– August 2, 1934) was a German Field Marshal and statesman. ... 1918 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

In the First World War, approximately 5 million Iron Crosses of the lower grade (second class) were issued, as well as around 218,000 of the higher grade (first class). Exact numbers of awards are not known, since the Prussian archives were destroyed during the Second World War. The multitude of awards reduced the status and reputation of the decoration. One of the more famous holders of the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class was Adolf Hitler (which was unusual as very few holders of the 1914 Iron Cross 1st Class were enlisted soldiers: Hitler held the rank of Corporal).

Second World War

Adolf Hitler again restored the Iron Cross in 1939, continuing the tradition of issuing it in various grades. The Iron Cross of the Second World War was divided into three main series of decorations with an intermediate category, the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, instituted between the lowest, the Iron Cross, and the highest, the Grand Cross. The Knight's Cross, effectively replaced the Prussian Pour le Mérite. Hitler did not care for the Pour le Mèrite as (a) it was an Imperial decoration and (b) because only officers could be awarded it. The Knight's Cross was deliberately intended by Hitler to be awarded for bravery regardless of rank. The ribbon of the medal (2nd class and Knights Cross) was different to the earlier Iron Crosses in that the color red was used in addition to the traditional black and white). Hitler did not like this medal awarded to non-combatants, like what happened in previous wars, so he created the War Merit Cross specifically as a replacement for the Non-Combatant Iron Cross. The Pour le Mérite, known informally as the Blue Max, was Germanys highest military order awarded during World War I. The award was first founded in 1740, named in French, the language of the royal court, for merit. ... The War Merit Cross was the non-combatant variant of the Iron Cross. ...

Iron Cross

The standard 1939 Iron Cross was issued in the following two grades

• Iron Cross 2nd Class
• Iron Cross 1st Class

The Iron Cross was awarded for bravery in battle as well as other military contributions to a battlefield environment. The Iron Cross Second Class was worn as a chest ribbon with the cross suspended from the ribbon. The Iron Cross First Class was a pin-on metal worn centered on a uniform breast pocket. The Iron Cross was a progressive award, with second class having to be earned before the first class and so on for the higher degrees.

It is estimated that some 2.3 million Second Class Iron Crosses were awarded in the Second World War, and 300,000 in the First Class. Two Iron Cross First Class recipients were women, one of those being test pilot Hanna Reitsch. Hanna Reitsch in the Fa 61 Hanna Reitsch (March 29, 1912 - August 24, 1979) was a famous World War II German test pilot, and a favourite of the upper echelon of the Nazi party. ...

Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, often simply Ritterkreuz) recognized extreme battlefield bravery. The Knight's Cross was divided into five degrees: German (called Deutsch in German; in German the term germanisch is equivalent to English Germanic), is a member of the western group of Germanic languages and is one of the worlds major languages. ...

• Knight's Cross
• Knight's Cross with Oakleaves
• Knight's Cross with Oakleaves and Swords
• Knight's Cross with Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds
• Knight's Cross with Golden Oakleaves, Swords, and Diamonds

In total, 7,313 awards of the Knight's Cross were made, but only 883 received Oakleaves and 159 received Oakleaves and Swords. Only 27 men were ever awarded the Diamonds grade of the Knight's Cross, and Hans Rudel was the only recipient of the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds. Hans Rudel Hans-Ulrich Rudel (July 2, 1916 - December 18, 1982) was a highly decorated German fighter pilot during World War II. Rudel was born in German Silesia. ...

The Knight's Cross was worn suspended from the collar.

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (1939)

Like the Knight's Cross, the Grand Cross was also worn suspended from the collar. The only recipient of the Grand Cross during the Second World War was Hermann Göring, who was awarded the decoration on July 19, 1940. The medal is in effect an oversized Knight's Cross. It had the same overall characteristics as the Knights Cross, but it was much larger measuring 63mm in width. It was originally intended to have outer edges lined in gold, but this was changed to silver before the award was presented. Hermann Göring Hermann Wilhelm Göring (also spelled Hermann Goering in English) ( January 12, 1893 – October 15, 1946) was a prominent and early member of the Nazi party, founder of the Gestapo, and one of the main architects of Nazi Germany. ... July 19 is the 200th day (201st in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 165 days remaining. ...

The Grand Cross was worn with a 57mm wide ribbon bearing the same colors as the Knights Cross and 2nd Class ribbons. The award case was in red leather, with the eagle and the swastika outlined in gold. Genera Aquila Haliaeetus Pithecophaga Circaetus (*) Scientists argue whether Accipitriformes are a separate order, or belong to the Falconiformes. ... The swastika is a cross with its arms 90° to either right or left. ...

The Grand Cross was not a bravery award. It was reserved solely for General Staff officers for "the most outstanding strategic decisions affecting the course of the war". Hermann Göring received the Grand Cross for his command of the Luftwaffe during the succesful 1940 campaign against France, Belgium, and Holland (at the same time as he was promoted to Reich Marshall of the Greater German Reich). This article is about the region in the Netherlands. ...

The original Grand Cross that was presented to Göring (personally by Adolf Hitler) was destroyed during an air raid in his Berlin home. Göring had extra copies made, one of them with a platinum frame which he was wearing at the time of his surrender to the allies in 1945. Platinum is also a certification by the RIAA and other world recording industries, see: RIAA certification General Name, Symbol, Number Platinum, Pt, 78 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 10 , 6, d Density, Hardness 21. ...

Several times in official photographs, Göring can be seen wearing his Pour Le Merite, his Knights Cross, and Grand Cross around his neck at the same time.

Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (1939)

This award was manufactured, but it was never awarded to any recipient. The only known example was found by Allied occupation forces at the end of the war, and was eventually added to the West Point military collection. The design was based on the 1914 version of the Star of the Grand Cross, but with the 1939 Iron Cross as the centerpiece. This award was meant to be worn like the Iron Cross First class (as a pendant). Like the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, this award was not intended to be bestowed for bravery. It was intended to be bestowed upon the most successful General officer at the conclusion of the war. One would think that it was intended for Reichs Marshall Göring as he had already won the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (1939). Blücherstern The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire. ... Alternate meanings: West Point (disambiguation). ...

Side features of the Iron Cross and entitlements

Officers who were awarded with the Iron Cross were given entitlements and often wore signifing articles, for instance the Iron Cross signet ring or the cloth iron cross which is affixed to clothing. Also, those attaining more than one award for example an officer who attained the Iron Cross first class, the Iron Cross second class and the Kight's Cross of the order of the Iron Cross with the Oakleaves would be entitled to wear a pin during the Nazi period which exhibited three Iron Cross's with exaggerated Swastika, to consolidate the award.

Post-WWII

Post WWII Iron Cross

The Iron Cross is only a war-time decoration of the German military and the decoration has not been awarded since May 1945. Following the end of the Second World War, the government of West Germany permitted its military veterans to continue to wear the Iron Cross, although German law prohibits the wearing of an Iron Cross with a swastika. In 1957 the German government issued new Iron Crosses to World War II veterans, altered to display an Oak Leaf Cluster, instead of a swastika, in the center of the medal. May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... West Germany was the informal but almost universally used name for the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 until 1990, during which years the Federal Republic did not yet include East Germany. ... 1957 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

The Iron Cross was used as the symbol of the German Army until 1915, when it was replaced by a simpler form, a Greek cross, which was easier to recognize from a distance. The Iron Cross was taken up again by West Germany's military forces (the Bundeswehr) in 1955, despite its use by the Nazi Wehrmacht. German army refers to different armed forces through history: Reichswehr - 1918 to 1935 Wehrmacht - 1935 to 1945 Bundeswehr - 1955 to present This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... 1915 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... West Germany was the informal but almost universally used name for the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 until 1990, during which years the Federal Republic did not yet include East Germany. ... Bundeswehr is the name of the armed forces of Germany. ... 1955 is a common year starting on Saturday. ... The Wehrmacht (literally defence force or means/power of resistance) was the name of the armed forces of Germany from 1935 to 1945. ...

In 1977, Sam Peckinpah directed a film inspired by the Iron Cross, entitled Cross of Iron. For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... Sam Peckinpah (February 21, 1925 - December 28, 1984) was an American film director famous for his films with extremely bloody climaxes. ... Cross of Iron is a 1977 film directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring James Coburn, James Mason, Maximilian Schell, and David Warner. ...

The Iron Cross has also been appropriated by several American sub-cultures after WWII. In particular, motorcycle clubs, surfing culture, and the hot rod and custom car cultures use the symbol in various forms. See World Wide Web for surfing the web; see also Wind surfing Surfing at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. ... T-Bucket hot rod Hot rods are older, often historical, cars. ...

External link

• Brief outline of the order. (http://www.feldgrau.com/kc.html)