The Iron Cross was a Prussian military decoration established in 1813. This award from Napoleonic times also became popular in Nazi Germany. The Iron Cross was almost always a military decoration, although there are instances of it being awarded to civilians for performing military functions.
When was the Iron Cross Established?
The Iron Cross was established by King Frederick William III of Prussia on 17 March 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars. This award is commonly referred to as EK 1813 (from Eisernes Kreuz, Iron Cross in German). The medal was backdated to the birthday of the King’s late wife Queen Louise, on 10 March. She was the first person to ever receive this award, posthumously.
What's the Meaning of the Iron Cross?
The Iron Cross’ design, which is black with a white or silver outline, derives from the cross pattée of the Teutonic Order, a Catholic religious order founded as a military order around 1190 in Acre, Jerusalem.
This cross was sometimes used by knights (a small voluntary and mercenary military membership for the protection of Christians in the Holy Land and the Baltics in the Middle Ages) from the 13th century. The Teutonic Knights have actually been known as Zakon Krzyżacki in Polish (“Order of the Cross”).
The Prussian Army also used a black cross pattée symbol on the succeeding German Army from 1871 to March–April 1918, when the Balkenkreuz replaced it.
What are the Different Iron Crosses?
The Iron Cross, being one of the most prestigious military decorations in German history, has had several different classes and variations – each with its own criteria and significance. Here are the main types of Iron Crosses and the time periods to which they belong:
The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross
The Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest grade Nazi decoration above the various classes of the Knight’s Cross.
The Iron Cross (EK 1813)
The Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) is a military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and later the German Empire and Nazi Germany.
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross (Nazi)
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire.
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross
The Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire.
The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross (EK 1939)
The Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross was the highest military and paramilitary award for the forces of Nazi Germany during World War II.
The Iron Cross (EK 1914)
The Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz or EK) is a military decoration established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia in March 1813.
The Iron Cross (EK 1957)
The Iron Cross 1957 was introduced to allow German veterans to wear their WWII decorations in a denazified form.
Iron Crosses for Sale
Further Reading About the Iron Cross
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Where the Iron Crosses Grow: The Crimea 1941-44
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Cross of Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German War Machine, 1918-1945
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The Cross of Iron by Willi Heinrich
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