German Awards - German Cross in Silver

The German Cross award was established on September 28, 1941 by the Wehrmacht Commander-in-Chief Adolf Hitler. This gold award was established in order to expand the possibilities of awarding soldiers who already had the Iron Cross of the 1st and 2nd class and were repeatedly distinguished by valiant actions in battle, but had not yet fulfilled the requirements for awarding the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The award was presented in silver for repeatedly proven merits in the leadership of the Wehrmacht troops, who already had the Military Merit Cross of both classes. The German Cross in Gold occupies the space between the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, but was not a prerequisite for its acquisition. A cross in gold could be awarded even after being awarded the Knight's Cross. The German cross in silver of the other parties occupied the place between the 1st Class Military Merit Cross and the Knight's Cross of the Military Merit Cross and was a prerequisite for awarding the Knight's Cross. Denominations in gold - about 24,300 pieces, in silver - about 1,100 pieces. The design was by Professor Klein of Munich. 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.
The depicted specimen is a light star from a bathhouse manufactured by C.F. Zimmermann (20).
Since 1942, the German cross in gold was also produced in the form of an embroidered fabric star on a fabric substrate, respectively, in the corresponding color of the military branch. 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. 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. Back side with vertical pin.

Front side:

• The large folded central shield is painted silver.
• Outside, a silver laurel wreath is set 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 silver laurel wreath.

Downside:

• Smooth and silver plated with a vertical pin.
See 4
• rivets at a distance of 90 ° from the attachment of the laurel wreath
.
• Manufacturer's designation - 20 - on the needle.

Photos of Team-Militaria.de