German Awards - German Order of the Eagle Cross 5. Class with swords

The Order of Merit for the German Eagle was established on May 1, 1937 by Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler. This award was created to honor foreign citizens who earned money from the German Empire. Reich Foreign Minister Konstantin von Neurath made proposals (from 4.2.1938 Joachim von Ribbentrop). The order had 5 degrees: Grand Cross, Cross of Merit with a star as a neck decoration, Cross of Merit 1. Level also as neck decoration, cross of merit 2. The Meritorious Service Cross and 3rd Class Meritorious Service Cross are attached to the ribbon with a silver meritorious service medal. In addition to foreigners, only 2 Germans, foreign ministers and the imperial protector in Bohemia and Moravia wore the Grand Cross of the order. The order was awarded not on merit, but on service signs. Awarding took place on the principle of reciprocity. For political and other reasons, the following were removed from the award: the Soviet Union, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Austria, Norway, USA, Switzerland, Ireland, Great Britain, France and states with unofficial missions. The first samples were manufactured by Godet, Berlin. The manufacturer was then first Deumer, Lüdenscheid. The author of the project is Professor Klein. On April 20, 1939, a special degree of the Grand Cross was established in gold. 8 awards are known. At the same time, swords were awarded for military merits. The last change occurred on December 27, 1943. The order was expanded by 1st class as a breast star and a bronze medal "For Merit." Now it consisted of 5 classes (previously 3 stages). For the assignment of individual classes, the rank or service rank was decisive. Early crosses as the German Eagle Order of Merit had the usual band ring eyelet. Crosses as of 1939 had an agraf with an eye and a ribbon ring. That is why this cross is the 5th class instead of the previously 3rd degree. The 5th class was awarded to captains, captains, captain-lieutenants, senior lieutenants or lieutenants. By the end of the war, directives began to be interpreted on a larger scale. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen before 1945, vol. IV, 2001.

Silver gilded cross in the form of ioannite. The cruciform arms are maroon golden and enameled white. Between the cross sleeves is accordingly a golden imperial eagle facing the left with its wings lowered. There is an oak wreath in the catches. In the center of which is a swastika placed on top. The base is enameled white. Between the tips of the upper cruciform shoulder is an agraph with a scanty ear, through which a ribbon ring passes. On the ring of tape is a silver 900 punch and the manufacturer's number, for example, 21 for Gode.

Front side:

In the
• center, 2 crossed swords are placed on the cross arms.

Downside:

• Without a sword.

Tape:

• red 37 mm wide, edge strips white/black/white 1 mm/2 mm/1 mm.

Photos of www.militaria-berlin.de