The Iron Cross & The Knight's Cross
The Iron Cross is probably one of the best known military symbols and medals in the World. It was first established in 1813 during the Napoleonic Wars, it was re-established in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. In 1914 and 1939 it was re-established again for the World Wars. The 1939 included the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross as well. In this video you will learn it's history, design features, criteria, uniform identification, positioning, numbers of awards and much much more.
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» SOURCES «
Heinemann, Winfried (Hrsg.): Das Eiserne Kreuz. Die Geschichte eines Symbols im Wandel der Zeit.
Reibert, W.: Der Dienstunterricht im Heere. Ausgabe für den Schützen der Schützenkompanie. Jahrgang 1940. (Reprint N & M Press)
Hettler, Eberhard: Uniformen der Deutschen Wehrmacht 1939. Nebst Nachtrag 1939/1940 (Nachdruck Melchior)
Klietmann, Kurt-Gerhard: Deutsche Auszeichnungen. 2. Band: Deutsches Reich 1871-1945.
Klietmann, Kurt-Gerhard: Deutsche Auszeichnungen. Eine Geschichte der Ehrenzeichen und Medaillen, Erinnerungs- und Verdienstabzeichen des Deutschen Reiches, der deutschen Staaten sowie staatlicher Dienststellen, Organisationen, Verbände, usw. Vom 18.-20. Jahrhundert
Reichsgesetzblat, Berlin 2. September 1939, Nr. 159
Lexikon der Wehrmacht: Eisernes Kreuz
www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/O...
Heimatsammlung Essen: Das Eiserne Kreuz
www.heimatsammlung-essen.de/d...
U-Boot Archiv: Eisernes Kreuz
www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/i...
Bianchi, Sebastián J.: Iron Cross Manufacturing
www.wehrmacht-awards.com/iron_...
Peterson, Jordan B.: 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
» CREDITS & SPECIAL THX «
Rob for helping out with a question about the Civilian Version of the Iron Cross First Class
6:13 The Prussian helmet splitting a baguette in half to illustrate the Franco-Prussian War was the icing in the cake
Now I want cake filled with icing. :/
Klobi for President Right day for it. Happy Mardi Gras!
I noticed that!! I could almost hear the crunching of the crust!!!
I didn't notice that, but thats funny
SantiFiore and the French had a skill set of one button that said retreat
Last time I was this early, a Pickelhaube was still used to slice Baguette.
Bismarck - Military Aviation History pickelhaube is the Prussian/German spike helmet for anyone like myself wondering
Search for Forgotten Weapons' video on the Gewehr 1871 if you want to see it coupled with a glourious moustache.
What about now? Does it still exist with the Bundeswehr?
It is still used as the emblem of the Bundeswehr but it is not used as a medal anymore (NAZISIGN, REEE!!1!).
If i'm not mistaken, the Bundeswehr uses a modified version of the Iron Cross.
My Uncle Hans was a 15 year old Fallschirmjager during the Battle of the Bulge.He was awarded the E.K.2 and E.K.1 for the destruction of 5 Sherman tanks as a Panzerfaust operator.He would talk of the war as the scariest time of his life.Cold hungry homesick.
Very young soldier.
@@walkingduck1154 yes germany was standing on its last legs so, even old men, weak men all sorts of men and all sorts of ages were needed to protect the fatherland, that includes hitleryouths which were very young
My friend was his name (hans geog Schmidt von altenstadt ) because this was my name and apparently I died in a car explosion in Germany but this never happened I never died in Germany
My friend I wish u would respond god willing
I still don’t understand why KZhead wouldn’t allow the use of things like like swastika in video’s as these as it is purely educational. I understand it’s an offensive symbol, but it’s still history and you cannot deny that.
Stalin had more people murdered than any other dictator. I find the hammer and sickle more offensive than the nazi cross
No cares about the offended their political views are only based on being offended!
They ban swastikas but not confederate flags
It doesn't depend on KZhead, I think. It must come down to each country's legislation. In this case, Germany or Austria most likely.
@@VendettaMax nope. It's legal in germany and austria.
My great grandfather was a German soldier in WWI and he got awarded the Iron Cross.
Same my grandfather has a iron croas
My great grandfather and my great uncle both were awarded the iron cross and we still have both of them
What he do for it
2. Or 1. Class?
I bought a plastic iron cross from amazon, lol, jk
I will just show this video to everyone who calls me a Nazi for having the iron cross as my emblem in Battlefield 1.
Eating Flashbang grandma asked me: omg are you wearing a swastika?! I said: first this is not a swastika, the cross has no hooks. Second it clearly states 1870, nazi's didn't even exist back then. Third, it is a common german medal, fitting to my uniform...
Wait, what uniform?
Robin de Roos dod you were the ww2 Version with the swastika?
Germanyball nop, the 1870 version
BobsAndVegane yep,cuz i am 148 years old... Remember the 1:2.53 ratio? What valor?
Rule 12: Pet a panzer when you encounter one
I'd rather pet British tanks than German. A Whippet is less likely to bite your leg off than a Tiger.
And don't turn your back against any panzer, they will attack
DO NOT FEED THE PANZER.
*may trample when startled*
+Light Dragon20 Also don't give Germans water at night...it makes for instant Hitlers.
I don't think I ever have read more civilised comments on KZhead. You must be doing something right, MHV.
People with actual brains care about history rather than trying to bend/censor it.
@@jloe01 Fact : if you tweet on twitter with german language with word "Deutsche","Fatherland","Reich" twitter user will be mobs and raid your tweet and you will see how many twitter complained that they are shaking and crying when see that word and you probably got banned.
@@rahadityap2375 just call them snowflakes that were shat on
@@jloe01 For this reason the brainy people are drawn into the dark, forbitten depths of the subject of traditional military decorations, where normal people fear to tread.
My grandfather got both 1st and 2nd class Iron Crosses in WW I. Hearing that these were given out like candy doesn't diminish him in my eyes at all. Anyone who survived that carnage is a hero in my eyes. His favorite story from that war was about how an officer once demanded that some soldiers hold up sheets while he was using the latrine so that he would have some privacy. All of a sudden the British started shelling and the soldiers dropped their sheets and ran for the trenches. The officer was very angry and shouted for the soldiers to come back but he then decided to pull up his pants and run for the trenches too. I hope I am not confusing his memoirs with stories told elsewhere but I believe he said that he went swimming during a ceasefire in a nearby river where he mingled with British soldiers also enjoying the ceasefire.
Of course Goering got his own medal.......
He even was supposed to get a special version like Blücher or Hindenburg.
He had one made in platinum as well as gold.
Love that (mentioned at 9:05) Goering got his own everything. Interesting individual.
Göring's is more like the Grandcross from Moltke and others. Blücher and Hindenburg recieved a unique form on a metal star, of which one during the Nazi era was created, but never awarded, and it is unknown, who was supposed to get it. However, unlike Blücher's and Hindenburg's stars, we know where it is. The former two were looted during WW2 and disappeared.
@@skullman9535 Including his own Panzer division for the Luftwaffe.
ah feinälly samzing abaut ze eiron kross
Ja, zo mainy Luftwaffels haw zis glohrious haward!
"Nom, Nom, Nom"- Göring
sumzing abaut ze eiron kross*
Sheriff's Sim Shack *feinälly *samzing
fixed
That Franco-Prussian war graphic at 6:14 is bloody hilarious.
I give my full respect to the soldiers who got the iron cross and the men who didn't. Rest well my friends
I went with my family through things belonging to my great grandfather some time ago and found his Iron Cross 2nd Class and I was curious about it so I am glad you made this great video, it helped to clear up some things for me, thanks!
My great grand uncle (weird I know) left behind some souvenirs for our family after the war and I only say this as it’s kind of strange to me to see people who’s family history is on opposite ends.
Loved the video. It's sad how many people (Even in Germany) don't know the origins of a lot of their symbolisms. Like the SS bolts were not designed by the Nazi Party and were old Germanic runes and used by other nations and cultures in Europe as well. Deaths Head (The Totenkopf) the SS-Totenkopfverbände used it on their collars. The Totenkopf came from Prussian many year before Germany became a state. I think even the Holy Roman empire used it before even Prussia.
Totenkopf was a Hussar Unit of the Prussian Army I think.
@@comsubpac Well yes and no. The sowulo rune from the elder futhark turned by 45° becomes the SS rune.
@@HaloFTW55 The Totenkopf was also worn by the famous Black Brunswickers, who fought against Napoleon in Spain and later at Waterloo,
I wonder if the Iron Cross would ever be established again, if Germany were to find itself at war again.
mdk31 They would propably use a version of the Bundesverdienstkreuz.
Because of the war in afganistan in 2008 the bundeswehr cross of galantry was founded. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundeswehr_Cross_of_Honour_for_Valour?wprov=sfti1
The Bundeswehr has Medals of it's own.
mdk31 Well they use it as a insignia for the Tanks and Airplanes
The Iron Cross was only awarded during big Wars. If anything like that would happen again we certainly would see a Iron Cross again.
"On behalf of the grateful Fatherland and Glorious Struggle, honour and blood, I present to you this Iron Cross."
Roger R somebody likes company of heros
+Thomas Dosman which part is that? i need to know
Adiutrix Pia Fidelis For the wehrmacht team, when you upgrade the experience of the different unit types. For last level a voice over comes on and says that.
ahh so thats what the announcer said when i upgraded my unit at kampfkraft center to elite
kzhead.info/sun/etuAqr19iHt-gHk/bejne.html Listen to it here.
I got +1 STR buff and a -1CH nerf for an iron cross handbag. I didn't need the STR buff. My foes died laughing when I swung it at them. Best item in the game.
Not as much as a Bag of Holding, as a Tasche zur Feststellung der Ordnung? ;)
1234gregor what's with the charisma hit is it due to ignorance on German military?
...which includes a sense of humor. So, about those German handbags...
Wonderful video, I have never seen such a concise or easy to understand explanation of the evolution of German medals.
Fact: the highest number of foreign recipients of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross were the Romanians with 18 awards.
One of those Romanian Iron Cross recipients migrated to Australia. He was commissioned into the Australian Army and was authorised to wear his , without swastika
🤨🤨🤨🤨
Im romanian :))
peter k what is their name?
@@peterk2455 The only man to win both an Iron Cross and a Victoria Cross was an Irishman
I have to admit, hearing this coming from the mouth of somebody that speaks fluent German makes the video experience that much better.
Thank you. That has been really informative and has helped me better understand the distinctions between the variants.
Thank you! I had tried to look this up before but nothing explained it as comprehensively or as clearly as your video. Really appreciate the time taken to make this..
I found about this channel a few weeks ago, still got half of the videos to watch but I just wanted to thank you for making these. So much interesting stuff here.
Thank you for this detailed lecture! As an artist I've always drawn some implied clusterfuck around the neck of my soldier characters, but now I understand the meaning of this medal.
I love listening to this guy speak German!
Me too.
Its the smoothest German I've ever heard. Can't say if its accurate though(I speak 0% german)
@Former K.G.B. he still speaks it better than 99% of native Germans
@Former K.G.B. oh nothing. Just he is good at speaking. Like some people are just better at English than other English speakers. He just has a gift with cadence and elegant pronunciation
@@laa0fa502 He simplify it, makes it very easy to understand for someone who study German for only 5 months
Amazing information! I always love your elaborate yet easy-to-comprehend videos; amazing channel.
Outstanding video with great information! You do history an honor, sir! Loved the "dice-o-matic" baguette slicer!
I wish my history teacher explained things like you do
I am a collector of the Iron Cross and l started collecting during the early 60s. My collection starts with the 1813 issue through to Knights Cross 1939 with Oakleaves and swords with all medals from the different makers. They are part of history but my prize possession is Pour le Merit.....the Blue Max. The history of the Iron Cross is fascinating and although it relates to our once enemies, it is still a medal to admire. Btw, my collection is now worth mega bucks, so it was a great investment
I want to See your collection 😮
I want your collection when you pass. I'll send my email with all relevant info . Thanks . I hope my package arrives many, many years from now 😉
Very informative and well done. Thank you for the great videos.
I like ALL of your videos, but this was ( by far) the best to me. Thank You Sir.
Great video and very informative! Well done!
Fantastic. Thank you for that history lesson.
Thanks for such an informative presentation! You explained the facts very well and interesting.
Thank you for this information about the cross I learned a lot about this and have been very intrigued about this, what you have given as info about this puts much of it in place on what I've been wondering for very long.
Dude! Awesome video!!
It is an honor to be awarded the Iron Cross and The Knight Cross
thank you for this great quote from Veltzke. helped me to get a better understanding!
I recently discovered your channel and it's awesome. Keep it up! Also, ich mag dein Akzent!
A wonderfully informative video, thank you. Also, why do you get trouble on KZhead ? Your videos are so informative
"They'll give you the Iron Cross for this one Von Ryan!"
Very neat, I have been wanting to learn about this unique military award for a while now.
Outstanding information,thank you for the effort you put in this video.
very interresting video, thank you
By carrying a iron cross bag you would have better streight instead of stamina (you can carry more) charisma is probably right tho :P
oh hell, i'm already anti Social and ugly as fuck so yeah i'll take the extra strenght point.😁
Thank you. I am old enough that I have seen these things but didn't know what they meant. I especially was interested in the ribbon in the button hole. Thanks again.
Been looking for this exact information for years. Very informative!
Great Video!!!!!
The Bundeswehr Cross of Honour for Valour (German: Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr für Tapferkeit), established in 2008, is not supposed to be a new iteration of the Iron Cross, but the inspiration in undeniable. It is in all but name the current iteration and so the tradition lives on.
actually it was inspired by the war merit cross (Kriegsverdienstkreuz).
I can't see what they might have in common. The one I talk about is awarded for situations of combat, "in the face of exceptional danger to life and limb", and the one you mention was awarded for situations not in direct connection with combat.
I mean the design. At least that is what they said back then.
It's a political thing. When they were discussing the medal, of course most people presented the ideia of the Iron Cross as traditional, but apparently whatever the nazis touch makes it unusable. So they went out of their way to make the new iron cross not look like an iron cross, but everyone knows. Again, the nazis win, sanity loses. Anyway, the maltese-style cross is, I think, closer to the Iron Cross models.
Thats not true though. The Ehrenkreuz was introduced in the 1980s and resembles the war merit cross. As a symbol the iron cross was always used and nobody cared.
Excellent video- very informative.
Fantastic and well presented video, clear, great graphics and well narrated. Well done.
Thanks for filling in the fine details I couldn't. I never knew all the other dates other than 1871 didn't realize it was as far back as napoleonic wars.
Could you give examples of deeds that earned civilians the iron cross?
Look up Hanna Reitsch and Melitta Schenk Gräfin von Stauffenberg
It could also be awarded for exceeding war production goals, breakthroughs in science or medicine, or even as simply as exceeding expectations that assisted the war effort. The War Merit Cross without swords replaced the civilian Iron Cross during WW2.
Truly in-depth knowledge given by this video and in clear English. Thank you.
Thanks for the explanation for the medal attachment now i can finish my cosplay about m41 heer uniform.
"Because I have plenty of troubles with youtube anyway" LMFAO, how fkn sad is that?
"I will show you where the Iron Crosses grow."
What's this from?
@@thehypest6118 "Cross of Iron" (1977) movie directed by Sam Peckinpah from the German view of the situation on the Eastern front in 1943 (???...might be 1944). Really one of the best ww2 movies of all time imo.
@@ohhellothere3217 thank you, I'll check it out
Fantasic movie.
Love this channel. Thank you.
Very informative, and well laid out. I do not like videos that jump all around with time, and levels, and orders of succession. So again we’ll done on being concise, and orderly! I certainly will be checking out some more of your content! Also one last thing, as an American I enjoyed that you wrote out, and read in German, and then in English below which was very educational. As a collector I’ve been learning what I can as far as speaking the German correctly, but I still have quite a ways to go. If all videos were like yours I would have it in no time flat! Well done sir! Huzzah!!!!!!
+Military History Visualized the reason why the medal was reestablished for every war given around 1:30 is also the reason why Germany today has no iron cross. The parliament instead established the "Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr für Tapferkeit" you should have mentioned that the Iron Cross is still used as the symbol of the Bundeswehr today since the Bundeswehr sees itself in the Tradition of the volunteer units of the freedom wars.
Germany has several medals, yes.
well, it's called "Schwarzes Kreuz", if you look closely it is mix between the Iron Cross and the Balkenkreuz. I originally wanted to mention it, but let's face it this video took 30 hours, adding that part would likely increased it 32 hours or more, those small little details often take ages.
No, its still called "Eisernes Kreuz". www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/start/aktuelles/weitere_themen/!ut/p/z1/hY9fC4IwFMW_kXdbmvNRicAaFtk_9xJDhxm2yVjSQx--jcA36T4cuOfc-7tc4HAFrsTYtcJ2Wone9RVf3jLKjowkhLATRShnBd1FBGEUhnCGy78R7mI0UymCspFQOUY8z1hACRx4I4NaK2m9Wqls57Q1wmoTDNrY3icvY1wSdA1UCK8yHE-n8CeJtpuM4jBc5dnBAx9iFO9pV9T-aajuQjW93Os6_RnDc02LImq_En_yfA!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922LU800ILN8O5201043 EDIT: From the Traditionserlass: "23. Tradition braucht Symbole, Zeichen und Zeremonielle. Sie könne die inneren Werte der Tradition nicht ersetzen, wohl aber auf sie verweisen und ihre zeitgemäße Bewahrung sichern. In der Traditionspflege der Bundeswehr haben besondere Bedeutung: - die schwarz-rot-goldene Flagge als Symbol freiheitlich-republikanischen Bürgersinns und staatsbürgerlich-demokratischer Mitverantwortung; - unsere Nationalhymne als Ausdruck des Strebens der Deutschen nach Einigkeit, Recht und Freiheit; - der Adler des deutschen Bundeswappens als Zeichen nationaler Souveränität, der dem Recht dienenden Macht und der geschichtlichen Kontinuität; - das *Eiserne Kreuz* als nationales Erkennungszeichen und als Sinnbild für Tapferkeit, Freiheitsliebe und Ritterlichkeit; - der Diensteid und das feierliche Gelöbnis der Soldaten als Bekenntnis und Versprechen, der Bundesrepublik Deutschland treu zu dienen und das Recht und die Freiheit des deutschen Volkes tapfer zu verteidigen. Die Bedeutung der Symbole, Zeichen und Zeremonielle muß in der soldatischen Ausbildung erklärt und wachgehalten werden. So haben auch der Große Zapfenstreich als Ausdruck des Zusammengehörigkeitsgefühls und das Lied vom guten Kameraden als Abschiedsgruß ebenfalls einen festen Platz in der Traditionspflege. "
It was my understanding that since the Iron Cross was originally a Prussian medal which was later expanded to be issued to Germans from other states it was discontinued after WWII when Prussia was abolished...with the exception of the 1957/39 Iron Cross that they issued minus the swastika, replaced by the three oak leaves, so veterans and military who has won the Iron Cross in WWII could wear them in public.
Isn't the Ehren Kreuz der Bundeswehr still part of the order of the Iron cross, surprised you're seemingly the only other who knows of this.
Can you make a video on the pour le merits?
Great video as always!
Love these videos! Keep em coming! =)
Sehr interessantes Video!
Der einzige Deutschsprechende hier
Kurt Knispel never got the Knights Cross. A true soldier.
@Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix say whatever became of Otto Carius?
@Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix absolutely fascinating aces are, tanks planes whatever. Too see their personal experiences and thoughts along with their fame and glory.
A very informative piece, thank you very much.
Nice presentation-valuable information.
I’m honestly really sad that this awesome medal’s image was ruined by the nazis so now even the bunderswehr doesn’t use them anymore
That's why it's on their vehicles right?
They still use the symbol. The Iron Cross was always a war award, it has always been retired while Germany/Prussia been at peace.
5:27 "The Prussian Igel": The Prussian Hedgehog. :D
Outstanding video and presentation.
Great video very informative. And i learned some German words also. Thank you.
They should bring it back.
It's already back?
@@Etzelsschizo yeah but with different colours
when i was born in 2003 i love this iron cross(look like first class) so much and it still with here in 2020 the chain of it break but the cross still ok
Thankyou so much, thoroughly informative! That was subject matter that is usually taken as a given, and, or not worth explaining.
Great video, would love to see more about German lesser gear, insignia, and their background .
Love the jordan peterson reference ;)
The Stuka pilot Rudel was the only recipient of the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Goldenem Eichenlaub, Schwertern und Brillanten. He was a hell of a pilot, but he was also an ardent Nazi.
So? You can believe what you want so long you don't try to force it on others. He was a outstanding solider and this only matters. Still i can't any proof on this.
I would agree with you except the Nazis did foist their views on others via force. But, the US is doing the same these days. What I wrote about Rudel was just facts.
But not him, he didn't force anything on anyone and he never done any warcrimes. Maybe he was a nazi. I don't want to live in a world where it is a crime do believe in something even if you never did something wrong. I don't care if someone is a Nazi or a Commi or what ever. Just a few of stupid ideologies. Like a american solider 2003 in the attack of Iraq. Is he evil because he believed it was right? Everyone know the Iraq war was against international law.
No difference in being aardent Democrat!
Very interesting and informative. Thank you.
Excellent video; very enlightening!
I find it intresting how toward the end of ww2 the Iron Cross was awarded alot more towards the end particularly Battle of Berlin. Almost at times given just to get soldiers to fight harder and they were still awarding them hours before the end. You see this even in Downfall and its funny with how Goering was the only got the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross.
Peter: Goering was often laughed at because of the "plumber`s shop" he carried on his chest and around his neck. On the other hand, if you look at pictures of Soviet veterans or the bullet proof (because of a hundred or so ribbons) on the chests of American or British veterans Goering was not the only one who proudly displayed his more or less rightfully deserved medals.
We will get an iron cross for this comment Hans!
Thank you. I had been confused on all these medals 🏅 forever. Your video cleared it all up
Glad it helped!
Thanks for this. Learned a lot.
I would not reject it, if they would offer it to me.
Great video . I saw a video where veteran of english army met with the german veteran . I still remember when the german veteran told to englishman . you are here front of me wearing your medal . in your country you are a hero but i have medal to , but i cant wear them . because in my country(germany) i am not a hero like you english .
Which is complete nonsense though. He could wear his medals.
no its not . watch the video . after the german told the english veteran that could not wear medals and is not called heroes in germany . awkward silnce . men this is a huge taboo in germany . are soldiers of ww2 heroes as american russia and england .
I am from Germany and of course he can wear his medals. Why should anyone call him a hero though?
Second World War Tiger Veterans | The Tank Museum please search it in youtube and watch video . min 9.00 he clearly says . we cant no wear those medals . we are are war criminals . dont cal me liar .
Still it isn't true.
Thanks for the history lesson!
Excellent, really informative , thanks.
Why is the baguette still funny? I think the reason is that it's so hard to eat one while fighting. Some people just can't take a choke.
So if you had both the secund and first class iron crosses you would wear both of them or just the higher one?
both of them
you would always wear all classes you have been awarded with.
The iron cross is as explained not be worn, except for photos, etc.. The iron crosses were represented by the vertical ribbon (EK2) or chest medal (EK1). The EK was usually stored in a box at home.
"...The iron cross is as explained not be worn..." Hold on. On Documentaries, in particular the one filming Hilter meeting with Manstein during Kursk, I noticed Hilter wearing 1 on the chest, and Manstein wore a Knight Cross. Did they just do this for the film, or they did wear it most of the time.
usually the recipients of both classes would wear the ribbon to the second class on the buttonhole and the first class pinned on the left breast pocket, but you'll see pictures of German military service members wearing only the higher class cross on their uniform. General Hoth only wore his Oak leaf and swords to his Knights cross out of all the many decorations he had won.
Very well done. Amazing video!
Wonderful presentation. Thank you.
Excellent, clear explanation. If you were interested, more videos on decorations and medals would be appreciated
I asked my grandfather, who served in the German navy (Kriegsmarine) how he earned his iron cross first class. He said if, in his case, the ship he served on performed well on its mission ( in his case torpedo boats) resulting in the Captain getting the knights cross, then the rest of the ships compliment would be awarded a grade of the iron cross. So if they already possessed the iron cross second class they would then get the first class. I’m. Uncertain what would happen to those personnel who already possessed the first class. Would they get the “Deutsches Kreuz” then?
yes, thats why the Deutsches Kreuz was introduced.
That's a very good question. The German Cross 'Deutsches Kreuz' was to bridge the gap between the second class and first class so they wouldn't get that. Torpedo boat personnel who already possessed the EK1 I think were awarded certain badges cast in gold, bronze or silver and/or bravery citations were issued or perhaps a promotion for personnel on your grandfathers boat...or maybe they got nothing if they already wore the EK1. Very interesting.
@@slotuck...There wasn't any gap between the 2nd and 1st Class Iron Cross. The German Cross was between the Iron Cross 1st Class and the Knights Cross.
@@jamesruddy9264 Soldiers who were expecting a KC were disappointed when they recieved the German Cross, they jokingly called it 'Hitler's fried egg' ...and you're right it was to fill the gap between the first class and KC.
Very informative and interesting. Thank you
Excellent overview of the history of the iron cross.
14:33 Clean your lobsters, save the dragon, slay your old man in the underworld.
Bloody obvious, roughly speaking.
olavi kaskisaari Jordan Peterson reference?
R. McH Yees
olavi kaskisaari god I love that us Jordan B. P. Appreciators are found everywherenlol
5:53 "German creativity.." lol. By the way, we have an iron cross 1914 from my great grand grandfather.
Can we please have more medal history videos? It seems to be a subject very well suited to this style of explanation. I've read about a few medals, including the iron cross, before. Though I find this method of introduction to a medal, it's layout, meaning, and development over time much easier to grasp and retain than reading about it in plain text. It establishes a core collection of related information that forms a foundation from which it is much easier to expand ones understanding of the subject by doing research into purely text sources, rather than trying to adhere together in your mind that starting foundation from reading text sources.
Fantastic episode.