DKiG - German Cross in Gold-Silver.pdf - Odznaki,Odznaczenia Niemieckie i inne - inkora1

The invasion of Russia saw the massive engagement of German

troops, and certainly an important increase in acts of

bravery. The German Cross (Kriegsorden) was created on 28

September 1941 (1) by Adolf Hitler (F hrer und Oberster

Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht) in order to publicly reward the

heroism of the German Legions dispatched to defeat

Bolshevism.

The award was created in two classes, Gold and Silver,

independent of one another. The type in Gold had as its

objective the recognition of repeated acts of bravery or

exceptional command not justifying the award of the Knight’s

Cross of the Iron Cross, but superior to requirements for award

of the Iron Cross 1st Class. The type in Silver was to reward

significant performance in military conduct of the war. Neither

were in any way part of the classes of the Iron Cross. Because

of this, recipients might first receive the Knight’s Cross of the

Iron Cross and afterwards the German Cross—or vice

versa. The detailed conditions for bestowal are shown in the

‘’Reichsgesetzblatt’’ of 2 October 1941 (Teil I, Nummer III).

Description

The design of this decoration was executed by Professor R. Klein

of Munich and the first examples were made by the DESCHLER

firm of Munich. The first prototypes contained 10 rivets, with a

system of attachment typical of the Iron Cross of 1914. To

begin with, the DESCHLER firm used 6 rivets, then from from

about the middle of 1942 onward, only 4.

The German Cross was composed of 5 main pieces which were

assembled together, whatever the manufacturer (not counting

as pieces the pin, the hook, and the hinge). The base piece

consists of a silver star with eight rays, upon which is fixed

another star with eight rays, lighter and smaller, in a dark gray

color.

A silvered disk bordered with two red bands is placed above.

A swastika in black enamel bordered silver is fixed on the disk

by means of two or four prongs situated on the ends of the

arms. Between the two red bands is found a gilt or silvered

wreath. The year 1941 is embossed at the base of the

wreath. The wreath is fixed with four rivets. In some cases the

wreath rivets maintain the whole cross (ex Zimmermann), in

other case they just hold together the wreath , the circle and

the black star. The whole is held on by a number of rivets (4, 5,

6 or 10) depending on the manufacturer.

The hinge itself may be a bent piece of metal soldered in a

recess at the top of the star (types marked ‘’20’’, ‘’134’’,

DESCHLER), or more simply, soldered directly onto the star

(Juncker and Godet types). The pin is fixed to the hinge by a

cross-pin. The construction of this decoration is the most

complex of all the military decorations of the Third Reich.

The different parts of the German Cross (not enlargeable)

Per the LDO, the metal used in manufacture was cupal (an alloy

of aluminum and copper), tombac, and nickel silver (Neusilber),

according to the different parts.

The dimensions may vary slightly between the manufacturers,

but should conform to those officially stipulated by the Orders

Chancery.

General Measurements

Silvered star:

63.0mm

Darkened star:

59.0mm

Silver disk O

40.2mm

Wreath O exterior

38.7mm

O interior

1.5mm

Swastika:

in square:

21.5mm

width between two

arms

4.0mm

width of arms:

4.5mm

Thickness:

silver star:

2.3mm

darkened star:

0.6mm

disk:

1.3mm

wreath:

1.0mm

swastika:

1.3mm

The types described below is that made by the firm of

ZIMMERMANN ( 20 ) and that of DESCHLER ( 1 ), but the

statements are valid for all the models.

A) Silver star

Material: cupal / tombac weight: 16gr (20) 34gr ( 1 )

The star is convex, pierced by four holes through which the

attachments for the wreath pass. The rays forming the points

of the star are polished and measure 52, 58 and 63mm. The

rest of the star is matte silver colored. The pin-back is

composed of a hinge and a hook soldered on the reverse. The

broad and flat pin is fixed to the hinge by means of a cross-

pin. The hinge and the hook may be soldered differently

depending on the maker and type.

B) Gray-black star

Material : tombac weight: 11gr ( 20 ) 12gr ( 1 )

The gray-black star is oxidized or lacquered, the matte color

may vary from dark gray to dark chestnut. This part is in

hollow stamped metal, convex, and fitted perfectly to the shape

of the medallion into which it is fixed. It is pierced with four

holes for affixing the wreath, as well as two rectangular notches

for the swastika. These notches only exist on the DESCHLER

type. The points of the rays of this star have a rounded profile

and measure respectively 49, 54 and 59mm long.

C) Disk

Material: tombac/nickel silver weight: 12gr ( 20 ) 14gr ( 1 )

The obverse and the reverse of the disk are matte silver. It is

convex and pierced by holes to attach the swastika: 4 of 2.5mm

of O and 2 of 1mm of O for the ‘’20’’ type; 4 of 2.5mm and 4 of

1mm for the ‘’1’’ type. There are two grooves which permit to

receive the two circles in vermilion colored enamel.

D) Laurel leaves wreath

Material : tombac weight: 4gr ( 20 ) 3gr ( 1 )

The wreath is hollow stamped metal. The four rivets are

soldered on the interior. This permits the consolidation of the

first four parts of the decoration. The ribands represented on

the wreath as well as the plaque embossed ‘’1941’’ are polished.

E) Swastika

Material: tombac and enamel weight: 3gr ( 20 ) 3gr ( 1 )

The swastika is in hollow stamped metal, silvered, in convex

form. On the reverse are found 2 attachments ( 4 for the type

by DESCHLER ). The cross is black enamel bordered in silver.

DKiG - German Cross in Gold-Silver.pdf

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