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Das Eiserne Kreuz - The Iron Cross

The Iron Cross, the most famous German war decoration, was awarded in several classes:


Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse (EK 2)

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse (EK 1)

Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz 1914

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Großkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

 Iron Cross 2nd Class

Iron Cross 1st Class

Bar for Iron Cross 1914

Knights Cross to the Iron Cross

Grand Cross to the Iron Cross
(The Großkreuz was only awarded once, to Hermann Göring in July 1940.)


Das Eiserne Kreuz 2. Klasse

The Iron Cross 2nd Class was worn on a ribbon in the button-hole of the jacket. Most of the time after the decoration it was worn in the Cross form. (see photo below)

The EK 2 was awarded for the first time to the U-Boat-force with order of the CinC Kriegsmarine for the whole crew of U-29 on 18th September 1939. U-29 sank the day before the 22,500 tons British aircraft carrier HMS Courageous.

Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse

 


The officers from U-29 were congratulated by Hitler on the first awarded Iron Crosses to the U-Boat force. At the left is commander Kptlt. Otto Schuhart, who received both the Crosses, then the LI, shaking Hitler's hand is the II WO Ltnt. Ludwig Forster and on the right is the I WO and later Oak Leaves owner Ltnt. Georg Lassen.


Das Eiserne Kreuz 1. Klasse
The Iron Cross 1st Class was worn on the left side of jacket

The first EK 1 awarded to the U-Boat-force by order of the CinC Kriegsmarine went to the commander of U-29 on 18th September 1939. Successful commanders often received both Iron Crosses after their first patrol, like Kptlt. Kentrat (U-74) and Kptlt. Mützelburg (U-203).

Eisernes Kreuz 1. Klasse

 


Three officers from U-453 wearing the Iron Cross 1st Class, in the middle with the Knights Cross the commander Kptlt. Freiherr von Schlippenbach
Kptlt. Otto Kretschmer with EK I


Spange zum Eisernen Kreuz von 1914

The Bar for Iron Cross 1914 was awarded, when the man already was a owner of the Iron Cross from the WW I. The bar was worn over the EK 1 from 1914 or on the ribbon of the EK 2.



Spange zum EK 2



Spange zum EK 1

German war decorations