German Awards - German Cross in Gold

The military order of the German Cross was established on September 28, 1941 by Adolf Hitler. The order was specially established for the Wehrmacht as the German Cross in Silver and the German Cross in Gold. The aim was to reward soldiers who already possessed the Iron Cross 1 and 2. They were cool and repeatedly distinguished by valiant feats in combat use, but did not yet meet the requirements for awarding the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross or the Knight's Cross of the Cross of Military Merit. A prerequisite for the award was the possession of the Iron Cross 1. 1st Class Sword Military Merit Cross. Despite the prerequisites, the German Cross in Gold does not represent an "intermediate stage" between the Iron Cross 1. Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Crusader knights could also be awarded the German Cross in Gold. On June 5, 1942, an embroidered version was also approved, which, depending on the type of troops, was applied to various fabric substrates. A special form was the German Cross with Diamonds. The award was personally reserved by the Fuhrer Adolf Hitler. A special shape made of gold with diamonds was made, but was never awarded. Several pieces (20) were exported to the United States as war booty. The author of the project is Professor Klein from Munich. Denominations in gold - about 24,300 pieces, in silver - about 1,100 pieces. Heavy variants are distinguished by the alloy of parts with a higher copper content. Heavy structures are thought to be earlier parts because later, due to a lack of material, copper had to be preserved. Various manufacturers are known. The designation in the form of numbers is located on the needle either above or below. Manufacturer numbers - 1, 2, 20, 21, manufacturer 134 stamped in the center on the back panel. Source: J. Nimmergut, Deutsche Orden und Ehrenzeichen before 1945, vol. IV, 2001.

Pins in the form of an 8-tier star with a large round middle shield. The ray wreath is gray-black with silver vertices of the rays. Reverse with vertical pin and 4 hollow head rivets.

Front side:

• The large folded central shield is painted silver.
• Outside, a golden laurel wreath rises between the two red lines.
• Bandaged or taped several times.
• At the bottom of the wreath is a plate with an engraved number - 1941 -.
In
• a closed, matte-silver field, elevated, the image of a swastika.
• It is on top and black enameled with silver trim.
• The tops of the cross reach a golden laurel wreath.

Downside:

• Smooth and silver plated with a vertical pin.
• To the left and right are 2 rivets from the attachment of the laurel wreath.
• Manufacturer designation 20 for the carpenter under the needle.

Photos of www.militaria-berlin.de

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