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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
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Germany
Translation: German Cross in gold
Number of awards in the database: 25830
Total awarded for WW II:
unknown
Recipients A-Z
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The German Cross (Deutschen Kreuz) is build up out of 5 separate parts and although the name suggests otherwise, it has the shape of a large 8-pointed breast star with in the center a large black swastika which is outlined in silver. The name of this award comes from this 21,5 mm big swastika. This swastika is placed upon a red-bordered silver disk and upon this red border is a golden laurel leaf wreath mounted. The golden wreath measures 39 mm across and is made out of single laurel leaves that are bounded together with a silk lint. At the bottom of the wreath is a square box with the year 1941 impressed into it. This date refers to the year of institution and from underneath this wreath emerge the eight star points. These points are chemically blackened and have the appearance of sunrays. Underneath these points is a 63 mm large silver backing plate placed which has the same shape as the award, only it’s slightly bigger so it forms the outer line of the award. At the reverse are 4 or 6 rivets visible and through the number of rivets you can recognize if the award was made in Germany or Austria. The German Crosses with 4 rivets were made in Germany and the pieces with 6 rivets in Austria. Further is there at the reverse a large width pin with a standard hook construction placed. If the award is marked with the LDO-number of the producer, then it is stamped in either the front or backside of the pin. To prevent damaging the award during combat, there was also a cloth version made. This cloth version has a metal wreath and the backing cloth colour is the same as the tunic colour of the corresponding Army branch. Fieldgrey is for the Army (Heer) and Waffen-SS, bleu-grey for the Air Force, (Luftwaffe) Marine bleu for the Navy (Kriegsmarine) and black for the Armored forces.
The German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold) was awarded for bravery and outstanding achievements in combat but where the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eizernen Kreuzes) wasn’t awarded for. The recipient did however already had to own the Iron Cross 1st Class. (Eisernes Kreuz 1 Klasse) The exact number of times that the German Cross in Gold was bestowed is still unknow at this time.
The OKW barred/stoped by decree the awarding of the Gernan Cross in Gold for "multiple remarkable services in troop leadership" from March 10th, 1945 on. |
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Provide alterations or additional information |
| Picture source: |
- Wehrmacht-awards.com
- Cloth version Auction 54 Hermann Historica
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| Information source(s): |
- Ailsby Chr., World War 2 German Medals and Political Awards, Ian Allan Publishing, Herham, 2003.
- Lumsden Robin, Medals and Decorations of Hitler’s Germany, Airlife, 2001.
- Angolia John R., for Führer and Fatherland, Military awards of the Third Reich, James Bender Publishing, 1985.
- Klietmann Kurt-G., Auszeichnungen der Deutschen Reiches 1936-1945, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart, 1991.
- Generellen Verleihungssperren des OKW
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