Awards of
World War IIThe highest military award of Nazi Germany in World War II was the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, intended for the general staff of the Third Reich.
Materials
Iron, silver.
Dimensions
63x63 mm.
To whom it is awarded
The highest general staff of the Third Reich.
Reasons for the award
For making important strategic decisions that influenced the course of military operations on one or several fronts.
The only person awarded the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross during World War II was German Reichsmarschall Hermann Wilhelm Göring, for his success in the war with France. Before his suicide, the Führer stripped Göring of this award, believing he had been betrayed. Another award, the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, was also established, but it was never awarded.
This award was established in Prussia as early as 1813, during the Napoleonic Wars, and was periodically awarded to the most successful generals during major wars. In 1939, the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was reinstated by Adolf Hitler as a German award, intended to be awarded for skillful strategic actions that resulted in a positive outcome within one or more armies. In fact, the only person awarded the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross by Germany was Hermann Göring, for the victory of the Third Reich's army in the war with France.
The cross was larger than the lesser awards, the second-highest of which was the Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds, and was twice the size of the Iron Cross. The award was made of iron and silver; unlike the Iron Cross, the frame was planned to be made of gold, but such an award was never created. A swastika was placed in the center of the award, and the date of its founding, 1939, was written on the lower arm. The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was worn on a red neck ribbon with white and black stripes at the edges.
An even higher award, the Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, was also established. This award was planned to be awarded to the best commander of World War II, after Germany achieved victory, but since victory was not achieved, the award was never presented.