German Awards
The Iron Cross
The
Iron Cross Second Class held a certain level of prestige in 1939 as even
this lowest grade had been stringently presented. However, as the conflict
entered advanced years, and certainly as the German infrastructure crumbled
in 1945, this grade was given out with liberalism and therefore its reputation
eroded accordingly. In spite of this, the Iron Cross 2nd Class was a valued
decoration and many recipients have proudly documented the deeds which
earned them the right to wear it. The official criteria for the award
was a single act of bravery in the face of the enemy, or actions that
were clearly above and beyond the call of duty. Heer and SS personnel
would receive the Cross for a successful action in which the soldier distinguished
himself. It was also not uncommon for an entire unit to receive the Iron
Cross 2nd Class.
The
1st Class of the Iron Cross was presented more scarcely, and logically
held a correspondingly higher level of stature than the second class.
In order to receive the Iron Cross 1st Class the recipient would have
to perform three to four further acts of courage from the one that earned
him the 2nd Class, however a single act of great importance or a long
steady career could also earn the recipient the cross.
Knights Cross
In September 1939, the Knights Cross to the Iron Cross was created by Hitler to bridge the sizable gap that had existed between the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Grand Cross. An entirely new grade of the Iron Cross, the Knights Cross could be distributed more than a handful of times, yet recipients would remain part of an exclusive and elite group. As the war went into its second year new grades, each increasingly more distinguished, began to be introduced. Criteria for the award varied within the Wehrmacht and changed as the war progressed. To receive any grade of the Iron Cross required dedication, but recipients of the Knights Cross had to demonstrate a unique kind of valor. In order to be recommended Heer and SS personnel needed to perform an additional five to seven acts of distinction before being considered, although a single act of great significance could earn them the Cross. It was not only awarded for bravery, however, but also for particularly successful commands of attack or withdrawal operations, career achievements or services rendered.
On
June 3rd, 1940 Hitler introduced the Oak leaves to the Knights Cross.
The award was to be worn above the Cross, in the place where one would
normally see the ribbon loop. The award was a roughly circular clasp of
three oak leaves, with the center one superimposed on the other two. The
criteria for the Oak Leaves was based on continued excellence in command,
bravery of the highest order or actions of significant importance.
The
Oak Leaves and Swords were instituted on July 15th 1941. This award was
composed of an Oak Leaves cluster identical to that of preceding grade,
but with the addition of a pair of crossed silver swords soldered at the
base. The criteria for the Swords followed the same pattern as the Oak
Leaves with individuals having shown not only extreme bravery but also
exemplary combat and leadership skills.
The
next grade of the Knights Cross, the Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (Eichenlaub,
Schwerter und Brillanten) was instituted on July 15th, 1941 thought the
official authorization was not published until September 28th of the same
year. This Clasp consisted of an Oak Leaves and Swords set decorated with
diamonds. Only 27 members of Wehrmacht were bestowed with this award and
Hitler, who also presented each award personally, reviewed all considerations
in detail.
On December 29th 1944, Hitler created the Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. This was to be the highest gallantry decoration of the Third Reich, and its conception was prompted by the achievements of an incredible Luftwaffe officer, Stuka ace, Oberst Hans Ulrich Rudel. As a pilot in the Russian front he had won every decoration possible, yet continued to distinguish himself in battle. On January 1st 1945 he was presented with the Golden Oak Leaves. The award consisted of a clasp exactly like the Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds but constructed in eighteen-carat gold.
German Cross
The
German Cross was instituted on the 28th of September 1941. The award was
created in two classes, Gold and Silver, independent of one another. The
type in Gold had as its objective the recognition of repeated acts of
bravery or exceptional command not justifying the award of the Knight's
Cross of the Iron Cross, but superior to requirements for award of the
Iron Cross 1st Class. The type in Silver was to reward significant performance
in military conduct of the war.
The decoration could only be awarded exclusively by the Commander in Chief
of the Wehrmacht, or the Commanders in Chief of the Army, Navy, and Air
Force, though later also by Army Group Commanders, and in the case of
a member of the General Staff, by the Commander in Chief of the Army.
The recipient of the German Cross in Gold had to already be a holder of
the Iron Cross 1st Class. It required at least the War Merit Cross 1st
Class with Swords to receive the German Cross in Silver.
War Merit Cross
Instituted
in September 1939, the War Merit Cross recognized those military men whose
acts of courage were above the call of duty, yet did not meet the criteria
for the Iron Cross. These acts could either be in the form of bravery
not under direct enemy fire or the planning and leading of combat operations.
All members of the military were eligible without distinction to rank,
and non German Allies were equally eligible. The Cross without swords
was generally awarded for more general meritorious actions. Military personnel
who qualified for the War Merit Cross in an administrative, medical, or
other service away from the front line received this award, as did civilians
whose contributions were of significant importance to the war effort.
The War Merit Cross consisted of a Maltese cross with an obverse center
disk featuring a mobile swastika surrounded by an oak leaf wreath. In
the case of the combatant grade a pair of military swords, finished on
both sides, were placed between the arms of the cross.
Infantry Assault Badge
The Infantry assault badge was instituted on December 20th, 1939 by Generaloberst von Brauchitsch. The initial class was instituted in silver and decorated foot infantry who participated in combat action earning a degree of experience that qualified them for the badge. A separate class, in Bronze, was instituted on June 1st 1940. The Bronze class had criteria similar to the requirements the Silver. The Infantry Assault Badge consists of an oval wreath of oak leaves, made up of four leaves on each side of the arch. Every oak leaf has two acorns, one on each side of the base of the leaf. Centered at the bottom of the badge is a ribbon tied around the wreath, with five raised pellets in a vertical position at the center of this ribbon. The Badges most distinguishable feature is the K98 rifle positioned diagonally across award. The butt of this rifle, positioned on the right, is slightly below the wreath. It leans to the left, with its fixed bayonet protruding through the last of the four oak leaves. The rifle sling forms a loop, hanging from the stock to the butt. Surmounting the wreath is the national emblem; an eagle with down swept wings clutching a swastika in its talons.
The
recipient had to have taken part in three or more infantry counter attacks,
three or more armed reconnaissance patrols, engaged in hand to hand combat
in an assault position, taken part in three or more infantry assaults
or participated on three separate days in the restitution of combat positions.
The
recipient had to have taken part in three or more motorized infantry counter
attacks, three or more armed motorized reconnaissance patrols, engaged
in hand to hand combat in motorized assault positions, taken part in three
or more motorized infantry assaults or participated on three separate
days in the restitution of motorized combat positions.
The
Close Combat Bar was instituted on November 25th 1942, by Adolf Hitler,
in order to recognize the courage of the German soldier in hand-to-hand
combat. This award was completely independent of the Infantry Combat Badge.
The badge was instituted in three classes, bronze, silver, and gold. The
badge was awarded for the completion of a set number of combat days, bronze
for 15 combat days, silver for 30 combat days and gold for 50 combat days.
Combat days were defined by being those in which the soldier had the opportunity
to be close enough to "see the white of the enemy's eyes", use
close combat weapons to assault the enemy man-to-man and be victorious,
or days in which the soldier was part of a major attack or assault, reconnaissance
attack, defence of a position, or a single messenger run.
The
tank destruction badge in silver was instituted by Hitler on March 9th
1942, to honor individuals who single handedly destroyed an enemy tank
with hand held weapons such as a hand grenade, panzerefaust, satchel charge,
etc. The gold award was introduced when it became clear the large number
of tanks individuals were destroying in this manner. It was awarded to
individuals who single handedly destroyed five enemy tanks using hand
held weapons such as a hand grenade, panzerefaust, satchel charge, etc.
The
silver badge was worn on the upper right arm of the tunic with subsequent
awards being attached directly below the first one until four were attached
at one time. On the award of a fifth badge, the four were taken off the
uniform and replaced with a single gold badge. On the award of a sixth
badge, a silver class was attached below the gold class. The process repeated
itself until a tenth badge was awarded, then the silver badges were replaced
by a second gold badge. Again, the process continued until the fifteenth
award, then the twentieth, and so on.
The
Wehrmacht Panzer Assault badge was introduced on December 20, 1939, in
order to recognize the achievements of Panzer personnel who took part
in armored assaults. It was designed by Ernst Peekhaus of Berlin, and
was instituted by order of Generaloberst von Brauchitsh. On June 6th 1940,
a separate class of the badge in Bronze was added, in order to recognize
the crews of armored vehicles other than tanks (half tracks, assault guns,
etc). To have taken part in three armoured assaults on three different
days, to have wounded in the course of an assault or to have earned a
bravery decoration in the course of an assault. As mentioned above, the
Silver class was presented to tank commanders, gunners or radio operators
while the bronze class was presented to the Panzer-Grenadier regiments,
tank assault crew, armored recon units, and medical personnel who went
into battle in armored vehicles. The award was authorized through the
Panzer Division commander.
Hitler
reestablished Wound Badges August 1939 to recognize those individuals
who were wounded or maimed in action with the enemy. All members of the
Armed Forces, Police units and from 1943 all civilians injured during
allied air raids were eligible for the award. Those individuals killed
in action were posthumously awarded the gold grade, which was presented
to the next of kin.
The
"Ostmedaille" (East Medal) or "Russian Front Medal"
was introduced on the 26th of May 1942 to recognize those who participated
in the first winter of Operation Barbarossa. The criteria for the award
was to have fourteen days of combat participation or 30 combat sorties
for Luftwaffe pilots, sixty days of service in the combat zone, having
received wounds or frostbite severe enough to warrant a Wound Badge between
November 15th 1941 and April 26th 1942.
The
Cholm Shield was instituted on 1st July 1942 and was to reward all who
where involved in the defence of the city of Cholm. The actual encirclement
of the fortress Cholm began on January 21st 1942 and lasted for 105 days.
The Cholm Pocket of approximately 5500 men resisted in isolation and was
re-supplied by air until a relief force broke through on the 5th of May.
The award took the form of a shield with a pointed bottom. Its main feature
was an Eagle with its arms outstretched. The eagle clutched in its talons
an Iron Cross with a swastika in the center. Immediately beneath the eagle
was the word “CHOLM” with “1942” centered below it.
The
Crimean Shield was instituted on the 7th of July 1942 and was awarded
to all ranks who were involved in the battles of the Crimean campaign
culminating in the capture of the fortress of Sevastopol. The award took
the form of a shield with a rounded bottom. An eagle is positioned on
the top, with outstretched wings and holding in its talons a wreath with
a centered swastika. On either side of the wreath are the years 1941-1942,
during which time the conquest took place. The body of the shield is decorated
with a map of the Crimea. The details on the map include the rivers, and
six main cities in the area (each denoted by a circle). The word “KRIM”
is also imprinted on the map.
The
Kuban Shield was instituted on the 21st of September 1943, to honor those
who were fighting to preserve the bridgeheads in the Kuban region. As
mentioned in its institution order, the shield was presented to those
who defended the bridgeheads from February 1943 until they were abandoned
in October. The criteria for the award was to have served in the bridgehead
for 60 days, to have been wounded while serving on the bridgehead or to
have been engaged in one major operation at the bridgehead. The design
of the badge was similar to the Krim shield, including an eagle with outstretched
wings clutching in its claws a wreath that surrounded a swastika. The
wreath was flanked by the numbers 19 and 43 and immediately below, the
word KUBAN. The body of the award features a representative map of the
Kuban area, with a broad jagged line representing the defensive line that
the men fought to preserve. The names of the three major bridgeheads are
also denoted in the map, these are “KRYMSKAJA, LAGUNEN and NOWOROSSIJSK.
The
Demjansk Shield was instituted on April 25th, 1943, to commemorate those
troops who fought in the Demjansk pocket during 1942. On February 8th
1942, the Russians encircled the 2nd Army Corps in the small town of Demjansk.
Although the siege of the pocket was broken on the 21st of April, fierce
fighting in the area continued until October of 1942. The criteria for
the award was to have served in the besieged area for 60 days, to have
been wounded in the besieged area or to have earned a bravery award while
serving in the besieged area. The design of the shield is topped by an
eagle with down spread wings clutching a wreath that surrounds swastika.
The wreath is flanked by two pillboxes of a trapezoid shape with a gun
opening in the center. Below then is a box with word DEMJANSK. 
