German Awards - Order of Merit German Eagle Cross of Merit 2. Step

Führer and Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler established the Order of Merit of the German Eagle (since 1943) on May 1, 1937. This award was created to honor foreign citizens who earned around 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. 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 reclassified in 1943 and supplemented with a bronze medal "For Merit." Now it consisted of 5 classes (previously 3 tiers), a large cross, 1st class with a breast star (8 rays), 2nd class with a breast star (6 rays), 3rd class (like 2. class without breast star), 4th class (pin cross), 5th class on ribbon and silver and bronze medals "For Merit."
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. Therefore, this cross is a cross of the 2nd class or 3rd class, and not a cross of merit. 2nd degree, then 4th class, as a plug cross was awarded, in particular, to government advisers, professors, majors and captains of corvettes and similar positions. 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. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen before 1945, vol. IV, 2001.

Silver gilded, slightly curved plug cross in the shape of Johannites. The reverse without enamel is gilded with a vertical pin.

Front side:

• 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.

Downside:

• Smooth and gilded, without enamel.
• Vertically - a centrally expanded pin with reciprocal hooks.
• On the needle is a silver stamp 900 and the number 21 for the manufacturer Godet, Berlin
.

Photos of www.militaria-berlin.de