- Time Period: Nazi Germany (Interwars Period, World War II)
- Institution: 28 September 1941
- Country: Germany
The German Cross (or Deutsches Kreuz in German) was instituted by Adolf Hitler on 28 September 1941 and awarded in gold and silver.
The German Cross in Gold (ranked higher than the Iron Cross First Class but below the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross), was awarded for repeated acts of bravery or achievement in combat. The German Cross in Silver (ranked higher than the War Merit Cross First Class with Swords but below the Knight’s Cross of the War Merit Cross with Swords) was awarded for distinguished non-combat war service.
The German Cross Classes
The German Cross was available in two versions: gold and silver, distinguished by the color of the laurel wreath surrounding the swastika.
- The Gold German Cross: The gold version was conferred upon military personnel for repeated acts of bravery in combat or for exceptional military leadership, typically requiring 6–8 such acts.
- The Silver German Cross: The silver version was awarded for multiple distinguished services to the war effort and served as a continuation of the War Merit Cross with swords. When a recipient was awarded both versions, only the gold version was authorized for wear.
The German Cross Design
The order consists of a star badge with a swastika (in German a Hakenkreuz or “hooked cross”, hence the medal’s name). The German Cross has a diameter of 6.5 cm and was worn on the right-hand side of the tunic. If a recipient had been awarded both the silver and gold divisions, the gold division should be worn only.
In 1957 alternative de-nazified replacement versions of the German Cross were authorized for wear by the Federal Republic of Germany. These medals replaced the swastika with a representation of the Iron Cross for the gold division, and the War Merit Cross with Swords for the silver division.
Colonel Hans von Luck called the German Cross “Hitler’s fried egg“, in response to its gaudiness.
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