Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
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The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German language: Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes, shortend Ritterkreuz; RKdEK) was National Socialist Germany's most prestigious order and recognized extreme battlefield bravery or successful military leadership during the Third Reich period.
Contents
- 1 Prerequisites
- 2 Grades
- 2.1 Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)
- 2.2 Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves (mit Eichenlaub)
- 2.3 Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern)
- 2.4 Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten)
- 2.5 Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (mit dem Goldenen Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten)
- 3 Recipients
- 4 Law about Titles, Orders and Honourary Signs in Germany
- 5 Military slang
- 6 See also
- 7 Further reading
- 8 External links
- 9 References
Prerequisites
To qualify for the Knight's Cross, a soldier had to have held the 1939 Iron Cross First Class already, though the Iron Cross First Class was awarded concurrently with the Knight's Cross in rare cases.
Unit commanders could also be awarded the medal for exemplary conduct by the unit as a whole. Also, U-boat commanders could qualify for sinking 100,000 tons of ships, and Luftwaffe pilots could qualify for accumulating 20 "points" [with one point being awarded for shooting down a single-engine plane, two points for a twin-engine plane, and three for a four-engine plane, with all points being doubled at night]. It was issued from 1939-45, with the requirements being gradually raised as the war went on.
Grades
The Knight's Cross was divided into five grades, excluding the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross as top level:
Knight's Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes)
The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross is based on the enactment (Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 1573[1]) of 1 September 1939 Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes (Regulation of the renewing of the Iron Cross).
Reichsmarschall Göring is wearing the Grand Cross, below the Knight's Cross and the Pour le Mérite
Grand Cross of the Iron Cross - in fact an oversized Knight's Cross (see left)
Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
| Verordnung über die Erneuerung des Eisernen Kreuzes | Enactment regarding the renewing of the Iron Cross |
| Artikel 1 | Article 1 |
Das Eiserne Kreuz wird in folgender Abstufung und Reihenfolge verliehen:
|
The Iron Cross will be awarded in the following grades and order:
|
| Artikel 2 | Article 2 |
| Das Eiserne Kreuz wird ausschließlich für besondere Tapferkeit vor dem Feind und für hervorragende Verdienste in der Truppenführung verliehen. Die Verleihung einer höheren Klasse setzt den Besitz der vorangehenden Klasse voraus. | The Iron Cross is exclusively awarded for bravery before the enemy and for excellent merits in commanding troops. The award of a higher class must be preceded by the award of all preceding classes. |
| Artikel 3 | Article 3 |
| Die Verleihung des Großkreuzes behalte ich mir vor für überragende Taten, die den Verlauf des Krieges entscheidend beeinflussen. | I reserve for myself the power to award the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, for superior actions that decisively influence the course of the war. |
| Artikel 4 | Article 4 |
| Das Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse und das Eiserne Kreuz 1. Klasse gleichen in Größe und Ausführung den bisherigen mit der Abweichung, daß auf der Vorderseite das Hakenkreuz und die Jahreszahl 1939 angebracht sind.
Die 2. Klasse wird an einem schwarz-weiß-roten Bande im Knopfloch oder an der Schnalle, die 1. Klasse ohne Band auf der linken Brustseite getragen. Das Ritterkreuz ist größer als das Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse. Es wird an einem schwarz-weiß-roten Bande am Halse getragen. Das Großkreuz ist etwa doppelt so groß wie das Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse. Es wird an einem breiteren schwarz-weiß-roten Bande am Halse getragen. |
The 2nd Class and 1st Class are of the same size and format as previous versions with the exception that the front sides bears the swastika and the date 1939.
The 2nd Class is worn on a black-white-red band in the buttonhole or clasp, the 1st Class without band on the left breast side. The Knight's Cross is larger in size than the Iron Cross 1st Class and is worn around the neck (neck order) with a black-white-red band. The Grand Cross is approximately twice the size of the Iron Cross 1st Class, a golden trim instead of the silver trim and is worn around the neck with a broader black-white-red band. |
| Artikel 5 | Article 5 |
| Ist der Beliehene schon im Besitz einer oder beider Klassen des Eisernen Kreuzes des Weltkrieges, so erhält er an Stelle eines zweiten Kreuzes eine silberne Spange mit dem Hoheitszeichen und der Jahreszahl 1939 zu dem Eisernen Kreuz des Weltkrieges verliehen; die Spange wird beim Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse auf dem Bande getragen, beim Eisernen Kreuz 1. Klasse über dem Kreuz angesteckt. | In case the recipient already owns one or two of the classes of the Iron Cross from the World War, then instead of a second Cross a silver clasp to Iron Cross of the World War bearing the national emblem and the date 1939 is awarded; in case of the 2nd Class the clasp is worn on the band, in case of the 1st Class above the Cross. |
| Artikel 6 | Article 6 |
| Der Beliehene erhält eine Besitzurkunde. | The recipient receives a certificate of ownership. |
| Artikel 7 | Article 7 |
| Das Eiserne Kreuz verbleibt nach dem Ableben des Beliehenen als Erinnerungsstück den Hinterbliebenen. | The Iron Cross shall be retained as an heirloom by the heirs of the recipient after his demise. |
| Artikel 8 | Article 8 |
| Die Durchführungsbestimmungen erläßt der Chef des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht im Einverständnis mit dem Staatsminister und Chef der Präsidialkanzlei.
Berlin, den 1. September 1939. |
The processing provisions are released by the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces in accordance with the State Minister and the Chief of the Presidential Chancellery.
Berlin, 1 September 1939 |
| Der Führer Adolf Hitler |
Der Führer Adolf Hitler |
| Der Chef des Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht Wilhelm Keitel |
Supreme Command of the Armed Forces Wilhelm Keitel |
| Der Reichsminister des Innern Dr. Wilhelm Frick |
Minister of the Interior Dr. Wilhelm Frick |
| Der Staatsminister und Chef der Präsidialkanzlei des Führers und Reichskanzlers Otto Meißner |
State Minister of the Rank of a Reich Minister and Chief of the Presidential Chancellery of the Führer and Reich Chancellor Otto Meißner |
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves (mit Eichenlaub)
Based on enactment (Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 849[2]) of 3 June 1940 augmenting article 1 and 4.
Knight's with Oak Leaves (de)
Korvettenkapitän Heinrich Liebe (de)
| Artikel 1 | Article 1 |
|
|
| Artikel 4 | Article 4 |
| Das Eichenlaub zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes besteht aus drei silbernen Eichenblättern, die auf der Bandspange aufliegen. | The Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross are made of three silver oak leaves attached to the band clasp. |
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords (mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern)
Based on enactment (Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613[3]) of 28 September 1941 again augments articles 1 and 4.
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords
Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Marseille (de)
| Artikel 1 | Article 1 |
|
|
| Artikel 4 | Article 4 |
| Das Eichenlaub mit Schwertern zeigt unter den drei silbernen Blättern zwei gekreuzte Schwerter. Bei dem Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten sind die drei silbernen Blätter und die Schwertgriffe mit Brillanten besetzt. |
The Oak Leaves and Swords depict two crossed swords beneath the three silver leaves. In case of the Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds the three silver leaves and the hilts of the swords are jewelled with Diamonds. |
Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (mit Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillianten)
Also based on enactment (Reichsgesetzblatt I S. 613[3]) of 28 September 1941
The Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds
Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds (mit dem Goldenen Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten)
Based on enactment (Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11[4]) of 29 December 1944 augmenting articles 1, 2, and 4.
Knight's Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds
| Artikel 1 | Article 1 |
|
|
| Artikel 2 | Article 2 |
| Das Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit dem Goldenen Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten wird nur zwölf mal verliehen, um höchstbewährte Einzelkämpfer, die mit allen Stufen des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes ausgezeichnet sind, vor dem Deutschen Volke besonders zu ehren. | The Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords, and Diamonds is to be awarded twelve times only, to honor before the German people the most successful combatants, that have received all grades of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. |
| Artikel 4 | Article 4 |
| Bei dem Goldenen Eichenlaub mit Schwertern und Brillanten sind die drei Blätter und die Schwerter in Gold ausgeführt und wie bei dem silbernen Eichenlaub mit Brillanten besetzt. | In case of the Golden Oak Leaves with Swords and Diamonds the three leaves and the swords are made of gold and likewise jewelled with Diamonds. |
Recipients
In total, 7,318 awards of the Knight's Cross were made, but only 882 received Oak Leaves (plus 8 non German recipients) and 159 received Oak Leaves and Swords (plus one honorary recipient, the Japanese admiral Isoroku Yamamoto).
Only 27 men were ever awarded the Diamonds grade of the Knight's Cross
- Three Generalfeldmarschälle
- Ten generals
- Three colonels
- Nine ace pilots
- Two U-boat captains
Bundeswehr and Bundesheer
711 holder of the Knight's Cross later formed and served the Bundeswehr. 114 of them reaching the rank of general.[5]
- Around 40,000 non-commissioned officers and officers from the Imperial Army, the Freikorps, the Reichswehr and the Wehrmacht built up the Bundeswehr. 714 (some sources state between 674 and 805) of them were holders of the Knight's Cross and its higher levels and 117 of them alone reached the highest military ranks and were generals and admirals. They had lived the virtues, loyal service and bravery enshrined in the Bundeswehr oath in the most difficult times. They were the ones who made the unprecedented build-up of the Bundeswehr from zero to 300,000 men in just five years possible and brought in the urgently needed, diverse experience. Of course, very few of them were able to repeat their outstanding individual military deeds in peacetime in any other way. But it turned out that the highest award for war and bravery continued to have an impact and that an obligation remained indissoluble. They became role models for numerous young soldiers. Until the 1960s, there was hardly a combat battalion, Luftwaffe wing or brigade that was not headed by a Knight's Cross recipient. In particular, the elite units were exclusively in the hands of Knight's Cross holders, for example the first paratroopers under Major (later Colonel) Alfred Genz, Lieutenant Colonel (later Colonel) Gerhart Schirmer and Colonel (later Major General) Johann Oskar Walter Bern von Baer. In schools, as teachers, they passed on their knowledge to the younger ones. When the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic, Konrad Adenauer, was buried in 1967, Bundeswehr generals and admirals, all of whom had been awarded the Knight's Cross, escorted the coffin to Cologne Cathedral. Until the end of the 1970s, Knight's Cross recipients led defense districts, brigades, divisions and corps, held the positions of inspectors and inspectors general or were deployed in the highest NATO positions. Just over 40 German Knight's Cross recipients built up the Austrian Armed Forces after 1955.
The reputation of Knight's Cross recipients in the Bundeswehr has remained high among soldiers. This war generation imparted experiences and values to almost 25 Bundeswehr cohorts, which shaped the troops into an internationally respected and powerful army (until the transition to a woke and multicultural army in the late 1990s). The last Knight's Cross recipient left active service in 1984.
Distribution by Service
| Heer | Luftwaffe | Kriegsmarine | Waffen-SS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,785 | 1,785 | 318 | 460 |
Non Existing Recipients (legally)
Since the end of World War II a number of people not yet listed claimed to be recipients of the Knight's Cross. The majority of these "recipients" are lacking the legal evidence to sustain their claims and are thus denied the right to consider themselves "legal recipients". Up until today two cases exists where the legal proof of the award exists however the recipients do not. These two "legally correct" recipients are Günther Nowak and Heinrich Scherhorn.[6]
Günther Nowak (example)
Günther Nowak, Hitlerjunge, was awarded the Knight's Cross on 14 February 1945 for the destruction of 11 tanks in Hindenburg, Oberschlesien. It was always assumed that he was the youngest recipient of the Knight's Cross. In reality, Günther Nowak never existed. A deserting commander of the Volkssturm was caught and claimed that after the retreat of the Wehrmacht he destroyed five tanks single handed.
Because of this he was taken to the Gauleiter. Fearing that his lie was unveiled he created the story of Günther Nowak in order to lessen his "feat". This report was then sent to Reichsleiter Martin Bormann. Bormann then immediately awarded the German Cross (Deutsches Kreuz) in Gold to the Volkssturm-Commander Sachs and the Knight's Cross to Nowak.[6]
Association of Knight's Cross Recipients
The Association of Knight's Cross Recipients (AKCR) – German language: Ordensgemeinschaft der Ritterkreuzträger des Eisernen Kreuzes e.V. (OdR) – is an association of highly decorated front-line soldiers of both world wars.
The association was founded in 1955 in Köln-Wahn. Generaloberst Alfred Keller, Knight of the Order "Pour le Mérite" and Recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, called upon the recipients of the highest combat decorations for bravery to organize an association for tradition. Later, the Recipients of the Prussian Golden Military Merit Cross, of the "Pour le Merite" for enlisted personnel were included. The memorandum of the AKCR incoperates the awarding of
- 7318 Knight's Crosses, as well as
- 882 Oakleaves,
- 159 Swords,
- 27 Diamonds,
- 1 Golden Oak Leaves and
- 1 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross
for all ranks in three Wehrmachts-parts and the Waffen-SS[7]. Among the conspiracy officers who participated in the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler on 20 July 1944 were 13 recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Law about Titles, Orders and Honourary Signs in Germany
The German Law about Titles, Orders and Honourary Signs (German language: Gesetz über Titel, Orden und Ehrenzeichen) (BGBl. I S. 334)[8] regulates the wearing of the Knight's Cross in post World War II Germany. The reason for this is that German law prohibits wearing a swastika, so on 26 July 1957 the West German government authorized replacement Knight's Crosses with an Oak leaf branch in place of the swastika, similar to the Iron Crosses of 1813, 1870, and 1914, which could be worn byni World War II Knight's Cross recipients.
Military slang
In the military slang of the German soldiers the Knight's Cross is often referred to as the Blechkrawatte (steel-necktie). Glory-hungry soldiers were said to have a "neck rash", "itching neck" or "sore throat".
See also
Further reading
- Walther-Peer Fellgiebel (2000), Die Träger des Ritterkreuzes des Eisernen Kreuzes 1939-1945. Podzun-Pallas.
- Günter Fraschka (2002), Mit Schwertern und Brillanten. Die Träger der höchsten deutschen Tapferkeitsauszeichnung. Universitas
- Florian Berger (2006), Mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern. Die höchstdekorierten Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Selbstverlag Florian Berger.
- Gordon Williamson: Knight's Cross and Oak-Leaves Recipients 1939-40, Osprey Publishing 2012 (at Google-Books)
- Kevin Brazier: The Complete Knight's Cross – The Years of Victory 1939–1941 (Volume 1), 2021
External links
In German
- Knight's of the Pour le Mérite with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German list)
- Enlisted men as recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German list)
- List of foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (German list)
- List of recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross of German descent (German list)
- Outstanding Knight's Cross holders of two World Wars (German list)
- Holders of the Blood Order with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
References
- ↑ @ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 1573; 1 September 1939
- ↑ @ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 849; 3 June 1940
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 @ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Reichsgesetzblatt Teil I S. 613; 28 September 1941
- ↑ @ALEX Österreichische Nationalbibliothek Reichsgesetzblatt 1945 I S. 11; 29 December 1944
- ↑ German Ministry of Defence (BMVg) on the Iron Cross.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Fellgiebel 2000, p. 511.
- ↑ Association of Knight's Cross Recipients
- ↑ BGBl. I S. 334 @ Bundesministerium der Justiz
