Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross: description, degrees. Awards of the Third Reich

The Iron Cross was established on 03/10/1813 by the King of Prussia, Frederick William III (08/03/1770-06/07/1840) to award military distinction in the Wars of Liberation (Befreiungskriege, or Freiheitskriege) - a nationwide armed movement of Germans for liberation from Napoleonic occupation. During the military campaign, the awarding of the traditional Prussian Orders of Merit (Pour le Mérite) and the Order of the Red Eagle (Rother Adler-Orden) was temporarily suspended.

The initial draft of this award was developed five years before its establishment with the participation of two famous reformer generals - Gerhard Johann David von Scharnhorst (12.11.1755 - 28.06.1813) and August von Gneisenau (August Wilhelm Antonius Graf Neidhardt von Gneisenau, 10/27/1760 – 08/23/1831). In 1808 and 1811 The project was submitted to the king for consideration, but was never approved. The final design of the Iron Cross was developed by the German architect and artist Karl Friedrich Schinkel (13.03.1781 - 09.10.1841) based on a sketch by Friedrich Wilhelm III himself.

The date of establishment of the Iron Cross was timed to coincide with the birthday of Queen Consort Louise of Prussia (Luise Auguste Wilhelmine Amalie Herzogin zu Mecklenburg, 03/10/1776 – 07/19/1810), who died at the age of 34, who was the inspirer of the War of Liberation.

Initially, the appearance of the award was a black equilateral Teutonic cross with flared ends (the so-called “claw cross”), made of an iron plate and covered with black enamel. However, after approval, it became clear that the new sign blends in with the dark blue Prussian military uniforms and is practically invisible. To this end, silver edging has been added with a knurled inner collar and a brushed rim around the edge.

The rather strict and contrasting design of the new award was emphasized by the absence of images of a crown, swords or eagle, traditional for Prussian orders. The shape and color scheme of the Iron Cross did not change during its subsequent renewals.

The Iron Cross became the first European award, which was awarded for military exploits to all categories of military personnel, regardless of the rank or class of the person who distinguished himself. Likewise, it was emphasized that the Iron Cross is a symbol of the unity of the entire population of Prussia in the struggle for national independence.

The decree establishing the award, in particular, says: “At the time of the current great disasters, on the outcome of which the future of our Fatherland depends, the great spirit of the nation, which has reached unprecedented heights, fully deserves worthy reward and perpetuation. This unshakable spirit, thanks to which the people did not submit cowardly, but, through selfless labor, overcame the insurmountable evil of the iron time of oppression, and the exceptional courage with which every heart is now filled, rely only on faith in the Lord and sincere devotion to their king and the Fatherland. Therefore, we have decided to honor the services that will be rendered in the beginning of the war, whether on the battlefields or in the rear, but related to the great struggle for the freedom and independence of the Fatherland, and to grant this great honor in the continuation of the current campaign.”

The order was awarded from lowest to highest grade, with the exception of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, which was intended to reward military leaders for winning a decisive battle.

The Iron Cross was a military award for a specific military campaign and was renewed with each new war waged by Prussia or Germany. This was evidenced by the dates minted at the bottom of the obverse, while on the reverse of the 2nd class cross the year of the first establishment was preserved, i.e. 1813. With the end of the next war, awards with the Iron Cross ceased.

It is worth noting that the Iron Cross was not awarded during both Danish-Prussian wars (03/24/1848-07/02/1850 and 02/01-10/30/1864), as well as the Austro-Prussian War (06/17/07/26/1866). , which was considered by Prussia to be a civil war.

Thus, there are four types of Iron Crosses - 1813, 1870, 1914 and 1939, as well as a “denazified” version from 1957.

Continuity

The knighthood was not new to Germany; many Prussian, Bavarian and Baden orders had it. The highest award of the Third Reich looked the same as ordinary Iron Crosses (except that it was larger in size). At the same time, the dimensions of the order could vary depending on the manufacturer. The Knight's Cross was produced by the companies Juncker, Schneinhauer, Quenser and Klein. Some of them made the order with a size of 48-48 mm, others - 49-50 mm.

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was made in the same way as crosses of less prestigious degrees, but at the same time it was distinguished by better quality of individual details (especially the side surfaces). A small ear was soldered to the award (more precisely, its upper beam). A ring intended for a 45 mm wide tape was threaded into it. The order had a characteristic frame, which was made of 800-carat silver.

Iron Cross Model 1813

Established on March 10, 1813 by King Frederick William III of Prussia in three classes: Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), Iron Cross 1st class (Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse) and Iron Cross 2nd class (Eisernes Kreuz 2) .Klasse). The originally intended lower class of the Iron Cross insignia in the form of an iron medal in a silver frame was not established.

The number of awards of the 1813 Iron Cross was about 16,000 2nd class orders for military merit (of which about 6,000 were “inherited”), about 375 awards on the ribbon for non-combatants, about 650 awards 1st class and seven Grand Crosses of the Iron Cross . According to available information, a total of 16,938 Iron Crosses of the 2nd class of both types were awarded to participants in the Wars of Liberation.

Iron Cross model 1813, 2nd class

The obverse of the Iron Cross 2nd class was smooth. On the reverse, on the upper ray of the cross are the crowned initials of the King of Prussia, Frederick William III (“FW”), in the center of the order are three oak leaves, and on the lower ray is the year the award was established (“1813”).

Due to the fact that military personnel preferred to wear the cross with a more beautiful reverse outward, on April 19, 1838, an official permit was issued regulating this type of wearing.

The Iron Cross 2nd class had two options - for feat on the battlefield and for services not related to participation in battles. These options differed only in the colors of the 40 mm wide silk ribbons. Thus, the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd class for military merit (Kämpferband) is black with two white stripes on the edges, the ribbon of the Cross for other merits (Nichtkämpferband) is inverted, i.e. white with two black stripes.

The size of Iron Crosses of the 2nd class is from 39 to 42 mm. Crosses of reduced size (33-34 mm) are duplicates that were ordered privately and were intended, as a rule, to be worn in large order blocks.

The first holder of the Iron Cross 2nd class for military merits was Major (later Leutnant General) of the 1st Pomeranian Infantry Regiment Karl von Borcke (Karl August Ferdinand von Borcke, 02/18/1776 – 12/15/1830), who distinguished himself on 04/21/1813. during the assault on the Luneburg fortress.

The first holder of the Iron Cross 2nd class on a ribbon for non-combatants was the military governor of Berlin, General von Elseg.

In total, by July 1815, from 17,000 to 17,300 people became knights of the lower degrees of the Iron Cross. Of these, 9 generals, 44 staff officers, 371 chief officers, 1,168 non-commissioned officers, 440 gefreiters and more than 10,000 lower ranks. The King of Prussia, Frederick William III, was also awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd class.

It is noteworthy that even one woman became a holder of this award - Sophie Dorothea Friederike Krüger (10/08/1789 - 05/31/1848), under the name Auguste Krüger, who served in the 4th company of the 1st battalion of the Kolberg Infantry shelf (Kolberger-Regiment). By the way, she, being already a non-commissioned officer, received the St. George Cross for the battle of Dennewitz on September 6, 1813.

For reasons of economy, on March 12, 1814, Frederick William III issued a decree to cease the production of Iron Crosses of the 2nd class and to introduce a system of inheritance of the award. Thus, persons who distinguished themselves in the war of liberation and were nominated for this award had the right to receive the cross only after the death of its previous owner. At the same time, the Iron Cross had to remain in the military unit where it was earned, and pass from officer to officer and from soldier to soldier. For this purpose, special priority lists were established in the regiments of the Prussian army to receive the Iron Crosses of deceased cavaliers returned to the General-Ordens-Kommission. In general, this concerned the lower ranks, since officers could purchase their awards privately. At the same time, in 1837, on the 25th anniversary of the War of Liberation, Frederick William III decided to restore justice and ordered the production of Iron Crosses for all surviving recipients of this award.

By decree of the next king of Prussia, Frederick William IV (10/15/1795-01/02/1861), signed by him on 08/03/1841, thirty-six knights of the Iron Cross 2nd class, selected from the total number of officers and non-commissioned officers who received this award, began to be paid annual pension of 50 thalers.

Iron Cross model 1813, 1st class

Initially, the Iron Cross 1st class consisted of two sewn pieces of silk order ribbon and was worn on the left side of the chest. Due to the fact that this type of wearing was extremely impractical, on June 16, 1813, Frederick William III issued a decree on the production of the Iron Cross of the 1st class from an iron plate with a silver frame. This cross also began to be worn in the lower left part of the jacket under medals. Although the founding document stated that to receive the Iron Cross 1st class it was necessary to be a holder of this award 2nd class, this rule was not always observed.

The obverse of the Iron Cross 1st class was plain. On the reverse of early-issue awards, the arms of the cross have loops (initially four, then eight) for sewing onto the uniform. By the mid-1800s. many recipients of the award removed the loops themselves and replaced them with a more convenient pin. Awards of a later release were initially secured with a pin and a catching hook.

Iron crosses of the 1st class were made of 800-900 standard silver and, as a rule, had a convex shape. The size of the cross is 41-42 mm, weight – 16.5 g.

The first holder of the Iron Cross 1st class was Major (later Leutnant General) Karl von Hellwig (Karl Ludwig Friedrich von Hellwig, 01/18/1775 – 06/26/1845), awarded in April 1813 for distinction in the battle of Wahnfred.

By decree of the next king of Prussia, Frederick William IV (10/15/1795-01/02/1861), signed by him on 08/03/1841, an annual pension began to be paid to some holders of the Iron Cross 1st class.

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross model 1813

The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was similar to the cross of the 2nd class, but had a larger size, about 63 mm, and was worn around the neck on a wide order ribbon. Only the highest officers of the Prussian army were awarded the Grand Cross. The following seven commanders became recipients of this award: the commander of the Silesian Army, General der Kavaleri Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (08/31/1813); commander of the III Army Corps, General der Infanterie Friedrich Wilhelm Freiherr von Bülow Graf von Dennewitz (09/15/1813); commander of the Northern Army, Crown Prince of Sweden Karl-John, aka Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte (later King Charles XIV Johan of Sweden) (autumn 1813); commander of the IV Army Corps, General der Infanterie Count Bogislaw Friedrich Emanuel Tauentzin von Wittenberg (01/26/1814); Commander of the I Army Corps, General der Infanterie Count Ludwig York von Wartenburg (03/31/1814).

There is a version that on 08/29/1813 Friedrich Wilhelm III signed a decree awarding the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross to the Russian infantry general Count A.I. Osterman-Tolstoy (1770 or 1772 - 02/11/1857) after the battle of Kulm (August 29-30 1813). However, he does not appear on the official lists of Grand Cross holders.

Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross

The highest military rank of the order - the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Stern zum Großkreuz) in the form of a golden eight-pointed star was established on July 26, 1815. Its only holder on August 31, 1815 was Field Marshal General Prince Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, Fürst von Wahlstatt, 12/16/1742 – 09/12/1819). This “personalized” cross received the unofficial name “Blücherstern” (Blücherstern). The award was worn on the left side of the chest, the distance between the opposite ends of the star was 84 mm.

Features of the award

It is curious that usually the recipient did not wear the Knight's Cross itself, but only its duplicate, while the original was kept in a secluded place. This was done in order not to lose or damage the relic. Copies were especially often worn in combat situations.

The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross was awarded in a rectangular box. It was lined with white silk inside and covered with black leatherette on the outside. The award case included not only a cross, but also an obligatory ribbon. A memorable addition was a diploma produced at the printing house, which was placed in an embossed folder. As a rule, the Knight's Cross was awarded to the owner by the commander of his unit. The ritual was carried out in a solemn atmosphere. The reward could go to the front for quite a long time, passing through several hands along the way. Delivery delays were a particularly common occurrence early in the war. Most of all, the pilots were waiting for their well-deserved reward.

"Standards"

Like all military orders of the Third Reich, the cross was awarded for certain achievements in battle. For example, a Luftwaffe pilot could receive the highest award only by gaining 20 points (they were awarded for downing enemy aircraft). Over time, the bar grew higher. In addition, it depended on the theater of war: for the Knight's Cross on the Soviet front, it was necessary to destroy twice as many vehicles as in air battles in the rest of Europe or North Africa.

The Navy needed to sink ships with a total displacement of 100 thousand tons. In this case, submarine commanders were almost always awarded. For the ground forces of the 3rd Reich, the wording turned out to be more vague (“For courage on the battlefield”).

Iron Cross Model 1914

The Iron Cross was restored for the second time on 08/05/1914 by King Wilhelm II of Prussia in connection with the outbreak of the Great War in three classes: Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), Iron Cross 1st class (Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse) and Iron Cross 2nd class (Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse).

The approximate number of awards was 5,200,000 2nd class crosses for military merit, 13,000 crosses for non-combatants, 218,000 1st class crosses, as well as five Grand Crosses of the Iron Cross.

Iron Crosses of the 1914 model were produced in the Weimar Republic until 03/07/1925 and in the Third Reich (until the end of World War II) to reward those who did not have time to receive the award during the Great War. The next resumption of production in small quantities occurred in Germany (after 1957).

Iron Cross model 1914, 2nd class

On the upper ray of the cross was the Prussian royal crown, in the center of the order was the initial of the King of Prussia (“W”), however, unlike the cross of 1870, this letter refers to the next king, William II. On the bottom ray is the year the order was renewed - “1914”.

The Iron Cross 2nd class had two options - for feat on the battlefield and services not related to participation in battles (military doctors, engineers, logistics officers and other categories of military personnel). These options differed only in the color of the ribbons. Thus, the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd class for military merit was black with two white stripes along the edges, and the ribbon of the Cross for other merits was white with two black stripes.

During the First World War, the Iron Cross 2nd class became one of the most popular awards, which largely neutralized its former high status.

By order of March 16, 1915, the Iron Cross could be awarded to military personnel of all states that were part of the German Empire, as well as allied states, i.e. Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bulgarian Empire and Ottoman Empire. Previously, such awards were made unofficially.

During the Great War, the Iron Cross 2nd class was practically not worn and was often sent to relatives. Instead, they wore either an order ribbon, threaded into the second buttonhole of the tunic or sewn onto the flap of the uniform fastener, or an order bar on the left side of the chest.

Members of the Austro-Hungarian Army wore the Iron Cross, 2nd class, on a traditional triangular block after receiving decorations from their country.

Iron Cross model 1914, 1st class

The Iron Cross of the 1st class was pinned or screwed on the left side of the jacket, however, in accordance with the fashion of those years, there was a tendency to wear it slightly above the waist belt, 5-10 cm.

Officially awarded Crosses of the 1st class are, as a rule, flat in shape and fastened in the form of a pin. The awards, purchased privately since 1915, were convex in shape, and twists were often used as fastenings. For wearing on a cuirass, a two-screw fastening was used.

The standard, but not always observed, size of the Iron Crosses of the 1st and 2nd classes is about 41-43 mm. However, Iron Crosses varied considerably in size, from the popular “Prinzengroße”, two-thirds the original size, to the enlarged “Übergroße”.

The use of various technologies due to the huge number of awards, as well as the shortage of metal at the end of the war, led to a significant number of varieties of Iron Crosses - the core was made of iron, brass and bronze, the frame was made of silver and cupro-nickel alloy. All-stamped and all-cast crosses were produced entirely from iron and brass.

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross model 1914

Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross

The highest military grade of the order - the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Stern zum Großkreuz) - was established on March 24, 1918. It was made of silver and had the shape of a gilded eight-pointed star with the Iron Cross of the 1st class superimposed on top. The fastening was made in the form of a gold pin. Its only recipient was Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg (Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg, 10/02/1847 – 08/02/1934) for the successful start of the great offensive on the Western Front on 03/21/1918. This “nominal” award is also known as “The Hindenburg Star” (Hindenburgstern).

Re-award bar

In accordance with the order of 06/04/1915, military personnel awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class, but who already had the Cross of the 1870 model, were awarded a silver bar for re-awarding instead of a new cross (Wiederholungsspange für 1870/71 mit Jahreszahl 1914).

This bar was a rectangular silver plate measuring 33-35x7.5 mm with a polished rim around the perimeter and a miniature of the Iron Cross model 1914 (12.5x12.5 mm) superimposed on it.

The bar was threaded through the ribbon of the Iron Cross, 2nd class, model 1870, or was attached to it using two hooks or a pin. The re-award bar was worn above the Oak Leaves to the Iron Cross, 2nd class, model 1870.

Statistics

Over the several years of its existence, 7,361 people were awarded the Knight's Cross (according to other sources, 7,365). There was not a single woman among the cavaliers, but there were several dozen foreigners who fought for Germany’s allied countries. The statistics on awards by title are interesting. Most of the Knight's Crosses were received by captains/captains-lieutenants (1523) and chief lieutenants (1225).

The first award of the prestigious order took place at the end of the first month of the war unleashed by the 3rd Reich. On September 30, 13 people who took part in the successfully completed Polish campaign received their Knight's Crosses. Among the cavaliers, the most prominent figure was Grand Admiral Erich Raeder, commander of the German Navy. All of these men were military leaders recognized for excellence in leadership. With the wording “For Bravery,” Gunter Prien was the first to receive the coveted cross (he commanded the submarine U-47). In 1939, only 27 holders of the Knight's Cross appeared, and the most crosses were awarded in 1944 (2,466).

Second degree

In total, the Knight's Cross had five degrees, the first of which was the Knight's Cross itself. A few months after the start of the World War in June 1940, the German leadership decided to establish an even more outstanding award, intended for military personnel who showed particular heroism. This is how the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves appeared. This award was given only to cavaliers of the first degree.

Oak leaves (a symbol of distinction) were fixed just above the cross, where the loop for the ribbon was located. The decoration was a sign made of silver. It depicted three oak leaves - a heraldic figure common since the Middle Ages. In some cases, on European coats of arms they were depicted together with acorns, but in the case of the Knight's Cross it was decided to abandon the fruits.

Iron Cross Model 1870

The Iron Cross was restored on July 19, 1870 by King William I of Prussia (March 22, 1797 – March 9, 1888) on the first day of the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War (July 19, 1870 – May 10, 1871) in three classes: Grand Cross of the Iron Cross ( Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes), Iron Cross 1st class (Eisernes Kreuz 1.Klasse) and Iron Cross 2nd class (Eisernes Kreuz 2.Klasse). It is worth noting that the date of restoration of the Iron Cross coincided with the 60th anniversary of the death of Queen Consort Louise of Prussia (03/10/1776 – 07/19/1810), in honor of whose birthday the Iron Cross was originally established (03/10/1813).

At the same time, the awarding of the Iron Crosses began only two years after the end of the Franco-Prussian War, and the date January 19, 1873 is indicated on all award documents. Although the statute of the order did not provide for the awarding of foreigners, the Iron Cross of the 1870 model was quite widely awarded to subjects of various German states.

The approximate number of awards was 43,000 2nd class combat crosses, 3,000 non-combatant crosses, 1,300 1st class awards and nine Grand Crosses of the Iron Cross.

Iron Crosses of the 1870 model were issued in the German Empire until 1918 (the last award took place between 06/30/1917 and 07/16/1918), and then in the Weimar Republic and in the Third Reich. Such a significant time scatter explains the differences in manufacturing technology and in the appearance of the awards.

Iron Cross model 1870, 2nd class

On the obverse, on the upper ray of the cross there is the Prussian royal crown, in the center of the order – the initial of King William I of Prussia (“W”), on the lower ray – the year of the renewal of the order – “1870”. On the reverse, on the upper ray of the cross are the crowned initials of the King of Prussia, Frederick William III (“FW”), in the center of the order are three oak leaves, and on the lower ray is the year the award was established (“1813”).

The Iron Cross 2nd class had two options - for feat on the battlefield and for services not related to participation in battles (this award was awarded to military doctors, engineers, logistics officers and other categories of military personnel). These options differed only in the color of the ribbons. Thus, the ribbon of the Iron Cross 2nd class for military merit was black with two white stripes along the edges, and the ribbon of the Cross for other merits was white with two black stripes.

The Iron Cross, 2nd class, was worn on an order block, or its ribbon was threaded into the second buttonhole of the uniform, onto which the badge itself was attached. However, the award was worn mainly on special occasions; at other times, only the order ribbon, threaded into a buttonhole, was worn.

Iron Cross model 1870, 1st class

The Iron Cross 1st class was worn on the left side of the jacket on a wide pin. There are known examples of private manufacture, on which the fastening was made in the form of eight loops on the reverse side of the award. Iron Crosses of the 1st class, privately made, ordered by cavaliers as duplicates, had a convex shape.

The size of the Iron Crosses of the 1st and 2nd classes was about 41-43 mm. At the end of the 19th century. Smaller copies of Iron Crosses for everyday wear in three-quarters and half of the original size - the so-called - have become widespread. “Prinzengroße”. These copies were made privately and were usually solid stamped silver crosses covered with black enamel. They also produced smaller ones, the so-called. “tailored” copies of the award – up to 1/10 of the original size.

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross model 1870

The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was similar to the cross of the 2nd class, but had a larger size, about 60 mm, and was worn around the neck on a wide order ribbon. Only the highest officers of the Prussian army were awarded the Grand Cross. The following nine commanders became recipients of this award: Chief of the General Staff, Field Marshal Helmuth Karl Bernhard von Moltke (03/22/1871); Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Army, General der Infanterie August Karl von Goeben (03/22/1871); Commander-in-Chief of the 2nd Army, Field Marshal General Prince Friedrich-Karl Nicholas of Prussia (03/22/1871); Commander-in-Chief of the 4th Army, Field Marshal General Crown Prince Albert Friedrich August Anton of Saxony, future King of Saxony (03/22/1871); commander of the XIV Army Corps, General der Infanterie August von Werder (03/22/1871); Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Army, Field Marshal General Edwin Karl Rochus von Manteuffel (03/22/1871); Commander-in-Chief of the 3rd Army, Field Marshal General Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm Nicholas Karl of Prussia, future Emperor Frederick III (03/22/1871); German Emperor and Field Marshal General Wilhelm I, at the request of his generals, awarded the Grand Cross to himself as commander-in-chief for the return of German troops to Berlin (06/16/1871), as well as the commander of the XIII Army Corps, Oberst-General Grand Duke Friedrich-Franz II of Mecklenburg -Schwerinsky (12/04/1871).

The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Stern zum Großkreuz) of the 1870 model was not awarded.

Oak leaves for the Iron Cross 2nd class, model 1870 (Bandspange “Silberne Eichenblätter “25”)

A commemorative fastener to the ribbon of the Iron Cross, 2nd class, model 1870, was established on August 18, 1895 by King Wilhelm II of Prussia on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the victory of Prussia in the Franco-Prussian War to be awarded to living veterans - holders of the Iron Cross, 2nd class. . 1870

The badge was to be worn by all holders of the Iron Cross 2nd class at the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of the victory and participating in the Great Parade in Berlin on August 26, 1895 on the Tempelhofer Feld. Subsequently, the fastener could be purchased by all veterans who had the right to wear it.

The silver overlay is made in the shape of three oak leaves with the number “25” on the middle one. The badge, measuring approximately 26x18 mm, was made of cupronickel (nickel silver) and silver and was attached to the connecting ring between the cross and the sash, or directly to the sash or block. In any case, this Badge had to be worn as close as possible to the Iron Cross, which, however, was not always observed. There was also an option for “oak leaves” to be worn in the buttonhole of a uniform.

Cavaliers

The first Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves was awarded to Eduard Dietl, the lieutenant general who commanded the Norway Mountain Corps. One of the last holders of the order is considered to be naval officer Adalbert von Blank. Most of all, he became famous precisely at the final stage of the war. In 1944, Blank led the 9th Security Division, then took part in the evacuation of Germans from Courland. In addition, he provided support to the retreating Wehrmacht ground forces. In May 1945, Blank was interned by British troops. The officer was lucky - he managed to continue his military career in Germany. He served until 1964, when he was promoted to admiral and retired.

Third degree

In the fall of 1941, the Knight's Cross award acquired another and already third degree - the Knight's Cross with oak leaves and swords. The decree on its establishment was signed by the Fuhrer, Chief of the Wehrmacht High Command Wilhelm Keitel and the Reich Minister of the Interior Wilhelm Frick.

The new badge consisted of oak leaves identical to the previous award, to which a pair of crossed swords was added. The order was made of high-quality jewelry silver. The manufacturer's company mark was placed on its reverse side. The cross was accompanied by a red and white moire ribbon. During the Second World War, 160 people became holders of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords, 55 of whom served in the Luftwaffe. Only one foreigner received this award. He was the Japanese admiral and commander-in-chief of the Navy, Yamamoto Ishiroku.

Price of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross

Juncker, Steinhauer & Luck, unmarked - from 7500 USD; marked from 8000 USD Klein & Quenzer - from 7500 USD Zimmermann – from 8500 USD Schickle – from 7000 USD Other manufacturers - from 4500 USD

Documents Parchment in a red leather folder - from 9000 USD Preliminary document for the ground forces, Luftwaffe, Kriegsmarine - from 2300 USD; submarine fleet - from 4000 USD; SS troops – from 5500 USD

Case from 2000 USD

Price of oak leaves for the Knight's Cross

Marking “900” and “L/50 Silber” - from 12,000 USD; markings “900” and “21” - from 10,000 USD; marking “800” and “L/12” - from 6500 USD; other markings – from 3500 USD

Document – from 30,000 USD; Preliminary document – from 7000 USD

Case – from 4500 USD

Price of oak leaves with swords for the Knight's Cross

Marking “900” and “L/50 Silber” - from 27,000 USD; markings “900” and “21” - from 25,000 USD; marking “800” and “L/12” - from 11,000 USD; other markings – from 5500 USD

Document – from 90,000 USD; Preliminary document – from 1100 USD

Case – from 5000 USD

Aces Awards

Air Lieutenant Colonel Adolf Galland became the first recipient of the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. He commanded the 51st Fighter Squadron. At first, the new order was awarded exclusively to pilots. So Walter Oesau became the third gentleman. It is noteworthy that he began his military service in an artillery regiment. Like many other German pilots of World War II, Oesau first became famous in Spain, where he was part of the famous Condor Legion. During the new campaign he took part in battles over France and in the Battle of Britain. Oesau never visited the eastern front, but he destroyed many aircraft in the skies of the Netherlands. On May 11, 1944, he was shot down near the Belgian city of Saint-Vith. Oesau has 118 enemy aircraft and 430 combat sorties.

A short excursion into the German award system

Almost the entire modern history of Germany is a consistent chain of wars and military conflicts. The German armed forces were considered a privileged part of society, so in German society there has always been a special attitude towards a person in military uniform. The Germans had a similar opinion about military awards, which could only be received for special merits, heroism and military valor. Until 1918, the German Empire had an award system based on the territorial principle. Orders and medals were in use, which at one time were established by the governments of the German kingdoms, principalities and duchies that became part of the united German state. Accordingly, the awarding was territorial in nature. In Bavaria, the government awarded soldiers and officers with its orders. In Upper Silesia, Saxony, Brandenburg and Prussia, military ranks received their own military orders and medals, different from others.

German awards

It should be noted that any order or other military award received was equally respected and considered honorable throughout the entire territory of the German Reich. With the beginning of the process of German unification, orders and medals in the German states began to be unified in accordance with the award system that existed in Prussia. Why was the Prussian award system chosen as a model? The thing is that Prussia by that time was the strongest and most powerful German state, around which the unification of the German states took place. Prussia had rich military traditions; accordingly, many details and distinctive features of Prussian-style awards became the main ones in the new military regalia.

There were differences in the German award system of that time. The German officer corps was a kind of caste, and officer awards differed accordingly. In pre-war times, the main type of military award for officers was a cross, gold or silver. The soldiers were forced to content themselves with special fasteners and combat medals. With the outbreak of the First World War, the situation in the award system of the German Reich changed radically. The fighting took on a large scale, the level of danger and risk increased, the armies began to number not hundreds of thousands of people, but millions.

Crosses World War I

Under the current conditions, the award system in the German armed forces was replenished with new orders, medals and insignia. However, despite the fact that the armed forces of united Germany participated in the battles of the First World War, the territorial principle of establishing the award was still preserved in the award system. With the defeat of Germany in the First World War, the era of demilitarization began in the history of the German state. The Weimar Republic, in accordance with the terms of the Versailles Peace, was prohibited from having large armed forces, navy and aviation. The consequences of the Treaty of Versailles were also reflected in the award system, which was virtually abolished. In the Weimar Republic, it was not prohibited to wear military awards received by the Germans during the hostilities of 1914-18. The right to establish new orders and medals in the defeated country was prohibited.

This situation with military awards continued until the National Socialists, led by Adolf Hitler, came to power. In 1933, the revival of the award system in Germany began, which became the Third Reich. From this period, German awards became national. Many of the previously existing orders and medals were abolished. New military awards are appearing, in which Nazi themes already prevail and the old imperial spirit is visible. When developing new orders and medals, the traditional forms and individual details of orders and regalia inherent in the German fighting spirit are preserved, with the inclusion of National Socialist paraphernalia in their appearance.

How military awards were worn

Fourth degree

The fourth degree of the Knight's Cross appeared simultaneously with the third and fifth degrees (this was the Knight's Cross with oak leaves, swords and diamonds). The award was not stamped, but was made by hand by the best German craftsmen. Silver of 935 standard ended up in the hands of experienced jewelers, who at the end of their work decorated the order with a scattering of 50 small diamonds. Their total weight was almost 3 carats, and the weight of the entire sign was 28 grams. Both the cross and the clip for it were made by hand.

For everyday wear, the recipient was given two copies made of lower-grade materials. Only 27 people received the German Knight's Cross with oak leaves, swords and diamonds (there were no foreigners among them).

Knight's cross with oak leaves

Oak leaves were a junior addition to the Order of the Knight's Cross. To be awarded this award, the officer must have previously been awarded the Knight's Cross, and subsequently performed an outstanding act, or accumulated the necessary merits cumulatively. During the war, 890 people received the award, including 9 foreign military personnel. The first presentation for the award took place on July 19, 1940. The recipient was General of the Mountain Troops Eduard Dietl, for the successful command of military units during the operation on Narvik.

The award itself is an addition to the order, in the form of oak leaves measuring 20*20 mm. made of silver.

Werner Mölders

Werner Mölders, a fighter pilot with the rank of colonel, became a debutant holder of the Knight's Cross of the fourth degree. This ace was the son of a teacher who died during the First World War in France, so his choice of a military career was predetermined from childhood. Mölders received his education at the Dresden Academy and the Munich Engineering School.

In 1934, the career of the future order bearer took a sharp turn - he was transferred to the Luftwaffe. The pilot gained his first combat experience in the skies over Spain, where the civil war was going on. Therefore, he began World War II, already possessing extraordinary experience. The first victory was not long in coming. In September 1939, near Merzig, Mölders shot down a French Hawk fighter.

The ace made his last combat mission in Crimea. He crashed in November 1941 on the way to Berlin, where the funeral of another famous Luftwaffe pilot Ernst Udet was taking place. Mölders' plane crashed to the ground after hitting electrical wiring. The pilot flew more than 300 combat missions, shooting down 115 enemy aircraft.

Fifth degree

The highest award in the Wehrmacht was the Knight's Cross with golden oak leaves, swords and diamonds. The uniqueness of this order was that during its entire existence it was given to only one person. It turned out to be Hans Rudel, an aviation colonel who received the award on New Year's Day 1945. By the end of the war, he proved to be the most successful attack pilot. The figure of Rudel was chosen as an example - the highest award could not go to just anyone.

Hans was born into a pastor's family and already in his youth joined the Nazi organization. He spent the Polish campaign as the commander of a reconnaissance aircraft. Then the pilot himself asked to be transferred to a much more dangerous attack aircraft. A period of retraining followed. In April 1941, Rudel was assigned to the Immelmann dive bomber squadron. The pilot fought on the Soviet front and distinguished himself in the Leningrad and Moscow directions. In total, Rudel made more than 2.5 thousand combat missions, destroyed about 500 tanks, 800 armored vehicles, sank dozens of landing ships and the battleship Marat. After the war, the convinced Nazi moved to Latin America, where he was remembered as an active revanchist.

bobot 02/28/201902/28/2019 Category People, CountriesWar tags, Germany, history, awards, orders, facts Comment.

The Iron Cross (symbol “✠”, German Eisernes Kreuz, abbr. EK) is a Prussian and German military award (order). Established by Friedrich Wilhelm III on March 10, 1813 for military distinction shown in the war for the liberation of Germany from Napoleon. Wikipedia.

The most famous award for military valor in Germany was established in 1813 during the wars with Napoleonic France. The Iron Cross was revived with the outbreak of each new German war - in 1870, 1914 and finally in 1939. Hitler only continued and developed the German military tradition.

During the Second World War, the Iron Cross was divided into a large number of degrees, and if the Knight's Cross was received by a little more than seven thousand people, then only one received the Knight's Cross with golden oak leaves, swords and diamonds - attack aircraft pilot Hans Ulrich Rudel.

The award was truly democratic - everyone could receive it (and received it): from a private to a field marshal general. The soldiers, officers and generals who received the highest degrees of the Knight's Cross were the real elite of the Wehrmacht. They showed miracles of courage, but, unfortunately, only for the sake of the triumph of the misanthropic ideas of National Socialism.

Instead of a preface

History of the Iron Cross

The history of this honorary military award is connected with the participation of Prussia in the Napoleonic wars, when at first this country almost lost its independence, and then, having become a full member of the anti-French coalition, was able to join the leading European powers. The Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz, or EK for short), Germany's most famous award for military valor, was established on March 10, 1813 by Friedrich Wilhelm III of Hohenzollern. He received the throne of the Kingdom of Prussia at the age of twenty-seven in 1797, after the death of his father King Frederick William II, and bore, like many European monarchs, many other titles - Margrave of Brandenburg, Burgrave of Nuremberg, Count of Hohenzollern, Duke of Pomerania, Cleves, Magdeburg, Mecklenburg, Silesian, Crossen, Geldern. During the Napoleonic Wars, Prussia switched from coalition to coalition several times, and part of its Armed Forces, as part of Napoleon’s “Grand Army,” took, although not very actively, part in the campaign against Russia.

King of Prussia Frederick William III of Hohenzollern - founder of the Order of the Iron Cross

However, Prussia's sympathies were not on the side of France, and the alliance with it was a forced measure. Therefore, as soon as such an opportunity presented itself, Prussia, to the jubilation of its people, went over to the side of the anti-French coalition. This is where the need arose to create a new military award, primarily in order to rally the Prussian troops and the Prussian people in the struggle for the liberation of their country. Although by this time there was no shortage of them in Prussia - such honorable (although not surviving the collapse of the German Empire) orders as the Black Eagle, the Red Eagle and the most honorable - Pour le Mente had already been established. Nevertheless, the king decided to establish his “own” award and even, as they say, personally sketched out a sketch of the future order. However, this sketch turned out to be unclaimed. The fact is that further development of the appearance of the Iron Cross was entrusted to the famous Prussian architect and artist Karl Friedrich Schinkel. Schinkel (born 13 March 1781 in Neuruppin, Brandenburg; died 9 October 1841 in Berlin) studied at the Berlin Academy of Architecture from 1799-1802 and became a member of the Academy of Fine Arts in 1811. Later - in 1815 - after the death of Paul Ludwig Simons, he was awarded the title of secret oberbaurate (senior construction adviser) and became an honorary professor of architecture. As the basis for the design of the order, Schinkel took an equilateral Teutonic cross with a silver edging - this cross was well known and used by German knights since the 14th century. Considering that the Iron Cross was supposed to become a fairly “democratic” award - that is, it was awarded to military personnel regardless of ranks and positions, but only for merit - Schinkel abandoned the additional decorations of the order that were widespread at that time, such as crowns , swords, military paraphernalia. The result is a clearly recognizable, lapidary and at the same time elegant black cross. To the credit of Friedrich Wilhelm III, it must be said that he did not insist on his own version, but unconditionally accepted Schinkel’s idea. It was so successful that the cross remained virtually unchanged throughout the history of its existence.

Artist Karl Friedrich Schinkel, author of the Iron Cross sketch

The front side was clean. In the center of the reverse side of the cross (on a black iron insert), Schinkel placed a bas-relief in the form of three diverging oak leaves. Above them, on the upper ray, was placed the monogram of the founder of the order, King Friedrich Wilhelm III - the letters FW (from Friedrich Wilhelm). On the lower ray was the founding date of the order - the numbers “1813”. One of the main features of the Iron Cross was that it was originally intended as a military award for distinction in a specific military campaign - in this case, the campaign against Napoleonic France, which began in 1813 and ended with Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo on June 18, 1815. The first crosses were made at the Royal Prussian Iron Foundry (Königlich Preußische Eisengießerei).

The king’s choice of date for the establishment of the new order was also symbolic - it was the birthday of Queen Louise (nee Princess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz), who died three years earlier, the wife of Frederick William III, who loved her very much and was deeply affected by the loss.

Iron Cross 2nd class, model 1813

The Iron Cross of 1813 was established in three degrees (classes): the Iron Cross 2nd class (Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse), the Iron Cross 1st class (Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse) and the Grand (or Great) Cross of the Iron Cross ( Grosskreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes). The order's ribbon was black, with white stripes running along the edges (with a black border). The 2nd class cross was worn on the chest (on full dress uniform) or as a ribbon in the buttonhole of the uniform; The 1st class cross was attached (sewn on with special brackets - two for each ray) below the order block on the left side of the uniform on a pin (or screw). The Grand Cross, which differed from the crosses of the 1st and 2nd classes in its slightly larger size, was worn around the neck on an order ribbon. Crosses of the 1st and 2nd class, on a ribbon of reverse colors (white with black stripes), were issued for “non-military merit” (Nichtkämpfer) - we will mention this below when we talk about the First World War.

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross Model 1813

Below is the text of the decree of King Frederick William III on the establishment of the Iron Cross:

“We, FRIEDRICH WILHELM, by the Grace of God, King of Prussia, etc., etc.

Friedrich Wilhelm"

In these difficult times, when the fate of our Fatherland is being decided, the need to perpetuate the merits of the people in history takes on enormous meaning. It is necessary that the fortitude with which the people endured the unbearable hardships of this iron time, and that high consciousness that beats today in the chest of every German and which is based only on religion and loyalty to the King and the Fatherland, should not be diminished to any lesser extent.

Therefore, We decided to especially distinguish the merits shown today both directly in battles with the enemy, and, moreover, in the struggle for one’s freedom in one’s own area, without postponing the awarding until the post-war period.

Pursuant to this decision, We prescribe the following:

1. Introduce awards for services shown only in the current war to Us and the Fatherland

Iron Cross in two classes and Grand Cross.

2. The insignia of both classes is an absolutely identical black cast iron cross framed in silver. Front side without inscription. On the reverse side there is our FW monogram with a crown, in the middle there are 3 oak leaves and at the bottom the digital designation of the year - 1813. Both classes are worn on a black ribbon with a white border, if merits were acquired in direct combat with the enemy, and on a white ribbon with a black border, if not in battle. The 1st class cross is worn on the left side of the chest. The Grand Cross, slightly larger than the crosses of the 1st and 2nd classes, is worn around the neck on a black ribbon with a white edging.

3. Military honors of the 1st and 2nd class will not be issued during this war, nor will knighthood awards of the 2nd and 3rd class, such as the Order of Pour le Merite, be issued, except in special cases. The Iron Cross replaces these degrees with the order and other awards and will replace both higher and lower awards. The Order Pour le Merite will be issued in exceptional cases and will be decorated with three golden oak leaves on a ring.

4. The Iron Cross, 2nd class, is always awarded first; A 1st class cross can be obtained if you have a 2nd class cross.

5. It follows from this that those who already have any orders or other awards and will earn a new award in this war will first receive only the Iron Cross 2nd class.

6. Commanders can be awarded the Grand Cross only for winning a decisive battle, after which the enemy must leave their positions, for the capture of an important fortress, or for a long defense of a fortress that is never captured by the enemy.

7. All orders and awards available today are thus united under the Iron Cross.

8. All the benefits that were hitherto associated with the possession of the 1st and 2nd class insignia are transferred to the Iron Cross. A soldier who already has a 2nd class award today can receive, with a new award, initially only the Iron Cross 2nd class; however, he receives, simultaneously with the possession of the 1st class award, a monthly allowance, which, however, cannot subsequently be increased.

9. The issues of deprivation of this award remain the same as those adopted for other orders and insignia.

The original document bears His Majesty's own signature and the Royal Seal.

Given in Breslau on March 10, 1813.

The first to be awarded were the subjects of the Prussian king, who distinguished themselves in the battle of Gross-Gerschen, by order of May 2, 1813. For differences in the campaigns of 1813-1815 (that is, in fact, in three campaigns - 1813, 1814 and 1815), not too many military personnel received the Iron Cross. So, if 9,136 people received the Iron Cross 2nd class (and another 869 for non-combat services), then only 668 military personnel were awarded the 1st class cross. Only five received the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross:

commander of the Silesian Army, Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher (August 31, 1813), later Prince of Waldstadt;
commander of the Prussian corps, Lieutenant General Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Bülow (September 15, 1813), later Count von Dennewitz;
army commander, Crown Prince of Sweden Karl Johan (autumn 1813), before being declared heir to the Swedish throne, he was Marshal of France Jean Baptiste Bernadotte and also the brother-in-law of Napoleon's elder brother Joseph Bonaparte;
commander of the blockade corps of Stettin, infantry general Count Bogislav Friedrich Emmanuel Tauentzin von Wittenberg (January 26, 1814);
commander of the Prussian corps, General of the Infantry Johan David Ludwig York (March 31, 1814), later Count von Wartenburg.

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"Blücher's Star"

However, soon the establishment of another - the highest, exceptional - degree of the Iron Cross was required. It was necessary to note the outstanding achievements of the leading Prussian commander, Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht Blücher, who by this time already had the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross. So on December 4, 1813, the Great Star of the Iron Cross (Grosse Stern des Eisernen Kreuzes), or “Iron Cross with Golden Rays” (Eiserne Kreuz mit goldenen Strahlen), which is also often called the “Blücherstern Star”, named after the first gentleman, appeared . Blücher was awarded this order on July 26, 1815, to commemorate the victory over the French at Waterloo.

At the end of the campaign in Europe, the Iron Cross was no longer awarded - it remained an award from the Napoleonic Wars.

The only holder of the Great Star of the Iron Cross of 1813, Field Marshal Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, Prince of Waldstadt

In connection with the history of the Iron Cross, it is also necessary to mention the history of awarding Russian military personnel who distinguished themselves in the Battle of Kulm. This must also be done because quite often in historical works confusion arises when some of the Kulm Cross awards are identified with the Iron Cross awards, especially since both of these awards are very similar.

This battle took place on August 17-18 (2930), 1813, near the village of Kulm, located 40 kilometers south of Dresden. By this time, the main Russian-Prussian-Austrian army of Field Marshal Prince Karl Philipp zu Schwarzenberg was retreating to Bohemia. Napoleon sent the corps of divisional general Domenic Vandam, Comte de Junesburg, in pursuit of her. A detachment of Lieutenant General Count Alexander Ivanovich Osterman-Tolstoy, based on units of the Russian Imperial Guard, was sent to intercept Vandam. The French outnumbered the Russians by almost two to one, but Osterman-Tolstoy accepted the battle, giving the main forces of the army the opportunity to retreat to Bohemia. He managed to gain time, and by the middle of August 18, reinforcements approached the Russians and the French were thrown back to Kulm. Finding himself in a hopeless situation, Vandam was forced to surrender along with his headquarters. The Russians also took 81 guns, convoys, 3 banners and 3 imperial eagles. But more importantly, this victory turned the tide of the war, psychologically nullifying Napoleon’s victories previously achieved through enormous effort in the 1813 campaign.

Osterman-Tolstoy was seriously wounded - his arm was torn off by a cannonball. The Russian guards showed miracles of courage. The amazed Prussian king Frederick William III, who watched the end of the battle, in the heat of the moment announced that he was rewarding all Russian guards who took part in this battle. But by this time, as we remember, the only award that could be awarded was the Iron Cross. Soon after the battle, it became clear to the king and his generals that such a massive presentation of the award would greatly devalue its significance and the psychological effect that Frederick William pursued when establishing the Iron Cross would inevitably be lost. Therefore, it was decided to create a special award specifically for this case, outwardly very similar to the Iron Cross, but giving it the name “Kulm” and thereby taking it beyond the statute of the order. This decision was formalized by decree of December 4, 1813. In accordance with Friedrich Wilhelm's promise, the Kulm Cross was awarded not for personal bravery, but for participation in the battle, i.e., it essentially became a mass award of the rank not of an order, but rather of a medal.

Osterman-Tolstoy, like the detachment commander, Lieutenant General Friedrich von Kleist, who also played a large role in the victory over Vandam, received the Grand Cross on August 29, 1813. This is where the confusion arose. The fact is that at first it was believed that this was the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, but then, after the establishment of the Kulm Cross, this award was, as it were, “repurposed”. That is why neither Kleist nor Osterman were included in the official list of holders of the Grand Cross, although a number of historians continue to insist that they did receive it.

* * *

With the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, the Prussian King Wilhelm announced on June 119, 1870 the re-establishment of the Iron Cross, all in the same three degrees. The color of the ribbon and the appearance of the order remained unchanged, with only minor differences. The reverse side of the cross remained unchanged. The front side was now designed as follows: in the center was the monogram of the reigning monarch - the letter W (from Wilhelm), on the upper ray - the royal crown, on the lower ray - the date of the re-establishment of the order (“1870”). In addition, there was one more change - the Iron Cross of the 1st class was no longer sewn to the uniform, but was attached to a pin (or screw).

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Alexander Ivanovich Osterman-Tolstoy, holder of the Great Kulm Cross

Since there is nothing better than the original source, which is often subsequently interpreted at random, we present the full text of the decree of William I on the recreation of the Iron Cross:

"We, WILHELM, by the Grace of God, King of Prussia and other

William".

In view of the serious situation of the Fatherland and in grateful memory of the exploits of our ancestors during the Great Wars of Liberation, we want to revive the Order of the Iron Cross established in Bose by our late Father in all its meaning. The Iron Cross should, without distinction of rank or status, be awarded to people for merits acquired either in direct combat with the enemy, or in the rear, for merits in defending the honor and sovereignty of our Fatherland.

Pursuant to this decision, We prescribe the following:

The Iron Cross, recreated for the current war, should consist, as before, of two classes and the Grand Cross. The order insignia and the ribbon remain unchanged, only the monogram with crown and the 1870 number will be placed on the former smooth obverse.

A cross of the 2nd class on a black ribbon with a white edging (if merits were acquired in direct combat with the enemy) and on a white ribbon with a black edging (if without direct contact with the enemy) is worn in the buttonhole; cross 1st class - on the left side of the chest; The Grand Cross, slightly larger than the 1st and 2nd class crosses, is worn around the neck.

Initially, the award of the Iron Cross 2nd class should occur; awarding a 1st class cross can only occur in the presence of a 2nd class cross; both crosses are worn at the same time.

The Grand Cross can be awarded to commanders solely for winning a decisive battle, after which the enemy had to leave the battlefield, as well as for the capture of an important fortress or for a long defense of a fortress that will never be taken by the enemy.

All the advantages that have so far been associated with the possession of military awards of the 1st and 2nd class, with the preservation of the highest approved honorary allowance, apply to the Iron Cross of the 1st and 2nd class.

The original document bears His Majesty's own signature and the Royal Seal.

Given in Berlin on July 19, 1870.

Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia Wilhelm I of Hohenzollern. He has the Iron Cross, 1st class, clearly visible on his uniform and the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross on his neck.

As can be seen from the text, one of the important differences was that now the Iron Cross did not become practically the only award of the ongoing war, but took its special place in the Prussian-German award system. It became a special award, established “for a specific war” and awarded for merit in this particular war.

Obverse and reverse of the Iron Cross 1st class, model 1870

Honorary top of the banner with the Iron Cross

Grand Cross of the Iron Cross Model 1870

The war was fleeting, in several battles the French army was completely defeated, and already on January 28, 1871, a truce was concluded. France was defeated. Such a joyful event (and in addition, the proclamation on January 18, 1871 of the creation of the German Empire led by King Wilhelm I of Prussia) was marked by massive awards of the Iron Cross. 43,250 people received the Iron Cross 2nd class, 1,230 people received the Iron Cross 1st class. No one received the Blucher Star, but nine people became Knights of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross:

Chief of the Greater General Staff, General Count Helmuth von Moltke (March 22, 1871), who became Field Marshal General on June 16, 1871;
commander of the VIII Army Corps, General of Infantry August Karl von Goeben (March 22, 1871);
army commander, Field Marshal Friedrich Karl of Hohenzollern, Prince of Prussia (22 March 1871), younger brother of King William I;
commander of the Meuse Army, Albert Wettin, Crown Prince of Saxony (March 22, 1871), who became Field Marshal General on July 11, 1871, and in 1873 - King of Saxony;
commander of the Strasbourg blockade corps, infantry general August Karl von Werder (March 22, 1871);
commander of the I Army Corps, general of infantry Baron Edwin von Manteuffel (March 22, 1871), who became field marshal general on September 19, 1873;
commander of the 2nd Army, Field Marshal General Friedrich Wilhelm of Hohenzollern, Crown Prince of Prussia (March 22, 1871), who briefly occupied the Prussian and German thrones under the name of Frederick III in 1888;
Wilhelm I of Hohenzollern, German Emperor, King of Prussia (June 16, 1871);
commander of the XIII Army Corps, General Friedrich Franz II Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (December 4, 1871).

At the end of the story about the Iron Cross of 1870, we will mention one interesting addition to the award. In 1895, oak leaves with the number “25” began to be attached to 2nd class crosses (there were simply no 1st class cavaliers left by this time). They stated the fact that this gentleman had been awarded the Iron Cross for 25 years. This was just an honorary distinction made by the last German Kaiser Wilhelm II for another nationalist, pan-German campaign.

Knight Grand Cross Model 1870, Field Marshal Baron Edwin von Manteuffel

After the end of the war, the Iron Crosses were awarded retroactively for some time, for differences shown during the Franco-Prussian War, and then the order disappeared again for 45 years.

* * *

The third time the Iron Cross was officially established was after the outbreak of a new large-scale war in which Germany took part. On August 1, 1914, the war began, which was later called the First World War. Four days later - August 5, 1914 - the German Emperor and King of Prussia Wilhelm II (grandson of the above-mentioned Wilhelm I) announced another revival of the Iron Cross.

"We, WILHELM, by the Grace of God, King of Prussia and other

William".

In view of the serious situation to which the dear Fatherland has been transferred by the war imposed on it, and in grateful memory of the exploits of our ancestors during the great years of the Wars of Liberation and the struggle for the creation of a united Germany, we wish to revive the Order of the Iron Cross, established by our late Great-Grandfather in Bose.

The Iron Cross should be awarded, without distinction of rank or condition, to ranks of the army, navy and landsturm, members of the voluntary service for the care of the wounded and all others who will be called upon to serve in the army or navy, as military officials of the army and the Navy, for services in the theater of military operations. Also, people acquire merit for the benefit of the German Armed Forces and for the benefit of their allies and should receive a cross.

Pursuant to this decision, We prescribe the following:

The Iron Cross recreated for this war should, as before, consist of two classes and a Grand Cross. The insignia of the order, as well as the ribbon, remain unchanged, only the digital designation of the year - 1914 - must be placed on the front side under the monogram with a crown.

The 2nd class cross is worn on a black ribbon with a white edge if merits were acquired in direct combat with the enemy. The Cross of Merit in the rear is worn on a white ribbon with black edging. The 1st class cross is worn on the left side of the chest, the Grand Cross is worn on the neck.

The 1st class cross is awarded only after the 2nd class cross is awarded and is worn simultaneously with it.

The award of the Grand Cross is not conditional on previous awards of 1st and 2nd class crosses. It can only be awarded for winning a decisive battle when the enemy was forced to abandon his positions, or for independent, successful leadership of an army or navy, or for the capture of a major fortress, or for the stubborn defense and preservation of an important fortress.

The original document bears His Majesty's own signature and the Royal Seal.

Given in Berlin on August 5, 1914

The last German Emperor and King of Prussia, Wilhelm II of Hohenzollern

Thus, the number of degrees was maintained, as was the division of the 2nd class into two versions - military and civilian. The order badge itself remained the same in both cases, however, in the civilian version of the cross, the colors of the ribbon were the opposite of the military one, i.e. it was white with black stripes. The civilian version of the cross was represented by military personnel and military officials who, although they were in the active army, but whose actions were not directly related to a clash with the enemy with weapons in their hands. That is, doctors, engineers, administrators, convoy service, etc.

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Iron Cross 1st class, model 1914

The appearance of the Iron Cross has undergone minor changes. Due to the fact that William II had the same name as his grandfather, there was no need to change the imperial monogram on the front side of the cross. Only the date was changed - where “1870” had previously stood, now “1914” could be seen. At the beginning of 1915, the statute of the Iron Cross was slightly adjusted so that it could be awarded to foreign nationals: the war had spread beyond Europe and there was a vital need to reward the allies. Previously, a foreigner could not receive the Iron Cross, which distinguished this award from all other Prussian-German orders - even the most honorable Pour le Merite was constantly awarded to foreign military personnel.

This war was unsuccessful for Germany, its armies were defeated, and in November 1918 the German Empire collapsed. But this did not at all affect the number of awards. It was during the First World War that the Iron Cross became a truly widespread award. A huge number of soldiers received it; at the front they even joked that there was only one way to avoid being awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class - to die in the first battle. But this is just ordinary soldier’s humor, not at all sarcastic - the Iron Cross remained an honorary and highly valued award. Moreover, during the First World War he became a real symbol of the German army, the German soldier. And subsequently, during the Weimar Republic, numerous front-line soldiers proudly wore the Iron Crosses of the no longer existing Second Reich.

In just over four years of intense military action - in 1914-1918 - an incredible number of soldiers and officers were awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class - 5 million 196 thousand people. (How large this figure is can be judged at least by this fact: by 1917, in the Russian army, the number of people awarded the St. George Cross of all degrees exceeded 1 million 366 thousand people. And this despite the fact that the St. George Cross was not an order and was awarded exclusively to soldiers!) 218 thousand people were awarded the Iron Cross 1st class. Five were awarded the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross:

Chief of the Field General Staff, Field Marshal Paul von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg (December 9, 1916);
German Emperor and Prussian King Wilhelm II of Hohenzollern (December 11, 1916);
Commander of the Army Group, Field Marshal August von Mackensen (9 January 1917);
Commander-in-Chief in the East, Field Marshal Leopold Wittelsbach, Prince of Bavaria (4 March 1918);
1st Quartermaster General of the Field General Staff, Infantry General Erich Ludendorff (March 24, 1918).

The second (and last) awarding of the Blucher Star in the history of the Iron Cross took place during the First World War. Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg received it on March 12, 1918, and therefore the “Blücher Star” also became known as the “Hindenburg Star” (Hindenburgstern).

Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg, second after Blücher - and last - recipient of the Grand Star of the Iron Cross

During the First World War, women were also awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd class. There were, however, few of them: only four. These recipients served primarily as nurses or as part of the Women's Auxiliary Service. History has preserved their names for us: Frieda Gessert, Elfriede Scherhans née Buchholz, Countess Sophia zu Törring-Jetterbach and Hertha von Fersen.

In November 1918, the Iron Cross once again ceased to exist, only to be revived just 31 years later...

At the end, a few words about the awards Adolf Hitler received during his service in the field units of the Bavarian army during the First World War - yet this book is devoted primarily to the history of the Third Reich. Moreover, Corporal Hitler had Iron Crosses of both classes.

Having already become the ruler of Germany, Adolf Hitler always wore the Iron Cross, 1st class, model 1914, on his uniform.

On December 2, 1914, Hitler was awarded the Iron Cross, 2nd class. “It was the happiest day of my life,” he wrote to the tailor Popp, “though my comrades, who also deserved it, almost all died.”

He received the Iron Cross, 1st class, on August 4, 1918, not for any specific feat, but for constantly performing, at the risk of his life, his duties as a messenger. In addition, during the war, Adolf Hitler was awarded the Bavarian War Merit Cross 3rd class with swords (September 17, 1917), the Regimental Certificate for Outstanding Bravery (May 9, 1918), and the Black Wound Badge (May 16, 1918) and the Bavarian service insignia 3rd class (August 25, 1918).

To close the topic of Hitler’s awards, let’s also mention those he received after the end of the First World War. Most of them are party awards, but there are also a number of national awards. After 1933 he received:

Order of Blood (Blut Orden) number 1 - in November 1933;
Coburg insignia 1922 (Coburger Abzeichen 1922);
Honorary party badge “Nuremberg 1929” (Ehrenzeichen Partei Nuremberg 1929);
Badge of the participant of the rally in Braunschweig in 1931 (Braunschweig 1931 Teilnehmerabzeichen);
Cross of honor for a participant in the World War 1914-1918 with swords (Ehrenkreuz des Weltkrieges 1914-1918 mit Schwertern) - September 4, 1934;
Gold party badge;
Medal in honor of March 13, 1938 (Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 13 März 1938);
Medal in honor of October 1, 1938 with spange “Prague Castle” (Medaille zur Erinnerung an den 1 Oktober 1938 mit Spange “Prager Burg”);
Medal for the return of the Memel region (Medaille an die Heimkehr des Memellandes);
Badge for wounding on July 20, 1944 (Verwundeten Abzeichen 20 Juli 1944);
Gold service badge of the NSDAP (Dienstauszeichnungen der NSDAP in Gold).

Read the continuation - the book by Konstantin Zalessky “The Iron Cross. The most famous military award of World War II"

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