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Shown below are the general awards given to German soldiers of all branches of the Wehrmacht
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Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)
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Manufacturer RK: Junker maker mark 800 L/12, OL&S:- Godet maker mark 900 L/50
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Condition: Mint
Instituted on September 1st, 1939. and known internationally as the Third Reich highest militay award. The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) recognized extreme battlefield bravery or successful leadership. The Knight's Cross was divided into five degrees:
- Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)
- Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves (mit Eichenlaub)
- Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern)
- Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten)
- Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten)
Required Qualifications:
For the Waffen SS & Heer:
- The previous award of the EK1 or its Spange, and
- Continued performance of outstanding actions of combat bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
For the Luftwaffe:
- The previous award of the EK1 or its Spange, and
- Accumulation of (initially) 20 points total, 1 point for downing a single-engine aircraft, 2 points for a twin-engine aircraft and 3 points for a four-engine aircraft. All points were x2 at night. This total was continuously raised as the war went on.
For the Kriegsmarine:
- The previous award of the EK1 or its Spange, and
- Accumulation of 100,000 tons sunk for Uboots, or
- Continued performance of outstanding actions of combat bravery above and beyond the call of duty.
*Criteria often changed throughout the war
Picture courtesy of Erickn (USA) |
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Awarded only during wartime, Adolf Hitler restored the Iron Cross in 1939 as a German decoration (rather than Prussian as in earlier incarnations), continuing the tradition of issuing it in various grades.
The Iron Cross First Class was a pin-on medal with no ribbon and was worn centered on a uniform breast pocket.
The requirements to receive this award are :-
- Iron Cross 2nd Class or Spange to the Iron Cross 2nd Class.
- Continous bravery in battle as well as other military contributions to a battlefield environment
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The German Cross (German: Deutsches Kreuz) was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 16 November 1941 as an award ranking higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. It was issued in two divisions: gold and silver (the color of the laurel wreath around the swastika), the former being an award for bravery, the latter being for distinguished service and was considered a continuation of the War Merit Cross with swords.
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Eagle Embossed Cased Spange To The Iron Cross 1st Class
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Manufacturer:- BH Mayer
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Condition:- Mint
The 1939 Spange was awarded to those who received the first class of the Iron Cross in World War I, and would have earned the same class in the Second World War.
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Instituted on December 20, 1939 by Generaloberst von Brauchitsch. The Infantry Assault badge in Silver was awarded to foot soldiers such as enlisted men, officers, NCO's of rifle companies and Mountain Troop companies.
The requirements to receive this award are :-
- To have taken part in three or more infantry assaults.
- To have taken part in three or more infantry counter-attacks.
- To have taken part in three or more armed reconnaissance operations.
- To have engaged in hand to hand combat in an assault position.
- To have participated on three separate days in the restitution of combat positions.
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The Panzer Assault badge was introduced on December 20, 1939, in order to recognize the achievements of Panzer personnel who took part in armored assaults.
This Silver class was presented to tank commanders, gunners or radio operators.
The requirements to receive this award are :-
- To have taken part in three armored assaults in three different days.
- To have been wounded in the course of an assault.
- To have earned a bravery decoration in the course of an assault.
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