After four years of increasingly antisemitic nazi rule, maxs shoe factory in erfurt, germany, was confiscated in 1937 because he was jewish. Iron cross international encyclopedia of the first world war ww1. Ww1 germany, original enamelled patriotic iron cro. The iron cross first class was usually only awarded to. There seems to be a makers mark on the o ring but i cannot make it out. The iron cross 18 was succeeded by the iron cross 1870 francoprussian war, the iron cross 1914 first world war and the iron cross 1939 second world war. Mc622 a 1914 iron cross in its outer card case of issue, with the full title of the award printed to the lid. During the 1930s, the nazi regime in germany superimposed a swastika on. Friedrichs late wife queen louise was the first person to receive posthumously this award. The 18, 1870 and 1914 iron cross was a prussian award. Iron cross, german eiserne kreuz, prussian military decoration instituted in 18 by frederick william iii for distinguished service in the prussian war of liberation. Dec 04, 2011 ww1 german iron cross 1st class with maker. The german iron cross in its various grades was awarded to all ranks of the wehrmacht, luftwaffe and kriegsmarine to recognize officers and men for acts of bravery, heroism and leadership. Unfollow german iron cross to stop getting updates on your ebay feed.
Iron cross magazine issue 4 subscriptions pocketmags. The iron cross was awarded to 18,000 german jews during the war while strong attempts were made during the nazi era to suppress the jewish contribution and even to blame them for germany s defeat, using the stabintheback myth, the. Fabric calculate finished design size download floss list available in download, printed. Mar 15, 2018 iron cross 181914 german military medal for army uniform. Germany ww1 iron cross set ek2 hindenburg military medal. We buy german medals for the fairest prices anywhere. The iron cross has long been held as a symbol for bravery in combat, the germans have been employing it as an award since the 1800s. Iron cross class screwback military awards, military ranks, military. Ww1 german medal iron cross download this royalty free stock photo in seconds. World war one german 2nd class iron cross 1914 youtube. Iron cross 1914 german empire 18701918 germany europe. World war i iron cross medal that belonged to a jewish veteran and.
During wwii, many received the cross, which was awarded in several grades. Two german officers stand, sneering, background right. On 1 october 1956 the president of germany, theodor heuss, gave directions to use the iron cross as the official emblem of west germany s bundeswehr. It appears to be on its original black and white medal ribbon. The iron cross still rates as germany s most famous military insignia, but its role has been reduced to that of a black and white emblem on the aircraft, tanks and warships of the postwar armed. This 2nd class iron cross shows some age and some wear throughout. Wwi german military black and white striped ribbon that belonged to a. Post war mini lapel ribbon bar with iron cross 2nd class, and 19141918 cross with swords, all veterans received this medal, those who served on the front lines received the crossed swords.
Characteristics common to iron cross 2nd and 1st class. Wwi iron cross first and second class collectors weekly. Maker marked k unknown maker 3 parts made, iron core, magnetic. Ww1 german iron cross recipients world war one page 1. The front of the crosses bear the crown and w for kaiser wilhelm, and the date 1914 at the bottom of the iron cross indicates the date the cross was reinstituted 5 august 1914 the iron cross was first instituted in 18, as marked on the back of the second class cross, along with a splay of oak leaves in the center and the crown and royal. The iron cross was awarded to 18,000 german jews during the war while strong attempts were made during the nazi era to suppress the jewish contribution and even to blame them for germany s defeat, using the stabintheback myth, the german jews who served. Iron cross this page lists all the know manufacturers markings found on 1914 1st klasse eiserne kreuz manufactured up to 1918. It was established by king friedrich wilhelm iii of prussia on 17 march 18 during the napoleonic wars ek 18. Eisernes kreuz helpinfo, sometimes mistakenly called the maltese cross, is a military decoration of the kingdom of prussia, and later of germany, which was established by king frederick william iii of prussia and first awarded on 10 march 18 in breslau now wroclaw. Ww2 german iron cross for sale in uk view 21 bargains.
After world war ii, the medal was discontinued but neonazis and other white supremacists subsequently adopted it as a hate symbol and it has been a commonlyused hate. Download 378 german iron cross stock photos for free or amazingly low rates. Iron cross recipients german soldiers in world war two. The iron cross second class held a certain level of prestige in the waning days of 1939. Use of the decoration was revived by william i for the francoprussian war of 1870, recreated in 1914 for world war i, and last revived by adolf hitler on sept. Bid to restore iron cross divides germany the independent. An estimated 100,000 german jewish military personnel served in the german army during world war i, of whom 12,000 were killed in action. A british officer quickly realised what was happening and ordered the london jocks to open fire and the disguised germans were driven back.
Iron cross awarded to max wachtel for service in the german army during world war i, 19141918. Western front witness german army ww1 and german soldiers ww1. The 1939 iron cross will be awarded in seven grades, as follows. This best image collections about date mit dir is available to download. Almost every third soldier of the first world war received the iron cross. German iron cross stock photos download 378 royalty free. The major differences between the two periods are the dates displayed in the lower arm of the cross and the absecense of a swastika in the. After world war ii, the medal was discontinued but neonazis and other white supremacists subsequently adopted it as a hate symbol and it has been a commonlyused hate symbol ever since. Hitler earns iron cross much needed reinforcements but as they drew closer it became clear that the advancing jocks were wearing pickelhaube helmets standard german head gear. A great many 1914 ek1 were manufactured in the third reich era and will be found with various markings which are outside of the scope of this reference. Full size original military merit medal iron cross 2nd class ek2 1914 1918. Mar 07, 2008 the iron cross still rates as germany s most famous military insignia, but its role has been reduced to that of a black and white emblem on the aircraft, tanks and warships of the postwar armed. What was the reason for these changes camouflage, intelligence reports, etc.
The iron cross has its original retaining ring, with ribbon of black center, with two lines of white and black, which go outward on the edges. World war i iron cross medal with striped ribbon awarded. Ww1 1914 1918 item 100% original ribbon original condition as on the photos great addition to. German iron cross medal nazi iron cross history german. Medal awarded to salli joseph for his service in the german army during world war i, 19141918. German jewish military personnel of world war i wikipedia. The cross is of three piece standard construction with a nice magnetic iron centre. Authentic vintage wwi german 1914 iron cross 1st class badge w pin assembly ek1. Unfollow world war i german iron cross to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. I and ii of this encyclopedia, which are available as a free pdf download. The iron cross also known as eisernes kreuz or ek is a military decoration established by king friedrich wilhelm iii of prussia in march 18 normally awarded to military or to civilians for performing military functions. The allies never did something like this except the british change from the union jack to roundels in 1914.
Make offer germany ww1 iron cross, hindenburg, xii years service bar, w matched ribbon bar. Adolf hitler presenting oak leaves at a ceremony on 15 september 1943. This is a first world war iron cross with a reproduction ribbon. Late war ribbon bar with iron cross 2nd class, and the bavarian verdienst cross, 3rd class. All versions feature the original date of institution 18 on the reverse lower arm, with the later date of introduction on the obverse lower arm. Real or fake iron cross 1st class post by hidalgo75. Covering all aspects of german military history including the imperial german forces of the great war, the weimar period and the nazi period. Real or fake iron cross 1st class axis history forum. Genuine german ww1 period, iron cross 2nd class medal. Wwi german military medal iron cross 181914 for army. Western front witness german army ww1 and german soldiers. Max was able to get immigration visas for the united states, with the sponsorship of relatives in ohio. Ww1 iron cross for sale in uk 22 used ww1 iron cross.
It became the quintessence of prussian, and ultimately german, military tradition. Military medal pour le merite blue max highest honor ww1 german army replica 4. Ww1 1914 1918 item 100% original ribbon original condition as on the photos great addition to every collection payment. The award was backdated to the birthday 10 march of his late wife queen. For several generations, the iron cross was the most prestigious medal a german soldier could earn. Eisernes kreuz help info, abbreviated ek is a former military decoration in the kingdom of prussia, and later in the german empire 18711918 and nazi germany 19331945. The iron cross was used as the symbol of the german army until 1915, when it was replaced by a simpler greek cross. Ww1 1870 iron cross award medal 1895 jubilee prussian german imperial wwi rare. It was first introduced on march 10, 18 by king frederick william iii of prussia, who was then at war against the french under napolean. At the bottom is the date 18, which was the date of inception.
Deviating from prior classification, the iron cross 1st and 2nd class and grand cross of the iron cross the bliicher star was not in the establishing document. However, as the conflict entered advanced years, and certainly as the german infrastructure crumbled in 1945, this grade was given out with liberalism and therefore its reputation. German iron cross second class 19141918 the australian. The iron cross still rates as germanys most famous military insignia, but its role has been reduced to that of a black and white emblem on the. Iron cross eisernes kreuz ek1 ek2 imperial germany prussia. During the 1930s, the nazi regime in germany superimposed a swastika on the traditional medal, turning it into a nazi symbol. Real or fake iron cross 1st class post by hidalgo75 24 aug 2005, 20. A great many 1914 ek1 were manufactured in the third reich era and will be found with various markings which. The iron cross employed during wwii is very similar to that used in wwi. Germany iron cross 2nd class ek2 military medal german ww1. The iron cross second class had been awarded to 5,000,000 members of the army. The iron cross 1939 was similar in shape to its predecessors, that is a maltese cross more accurately a formee cross, of course with the significant exception that the old crown, oak leaves and initials that were the heart of all previous imperial prussian crosses were replaced by a new set of features centered around.
Class 181914 ww1 prussia description and history the iron cross german. Old german award document for iron cross second class for a soldier. Germany ww1 military medal iron cross ek1 ek2 maker decoration merit award war 18 1870 1914 1918 decoration imperial wwi german empire army navy wehrmacht luftwaffe air force prussian kingdom kaiser wilhelm karl friedrich schinkel nazi 1939 hitler nsdap 1918 1945 military medals orders badges decorations insignia army navy air force pilot wings decals. The total numbers of war awards in 19141918, including award for services in eastern border protection, were 218,000 iron crosses first class and 5,196,000 iron crosses second class. Oak leaves with swords and diamonds to the knights cross. It also has the red seal still intact to it, which when the box is opened, reveals a small case for the iron cross, with inside, an iron cross for 1914. Iron cross international encyclopedia of the first world. Nov 10, 2016 world war one german 2nd class iron cross 1914 jamesfurr1992. The iron cross is a famous german military medal dating back to the 19th century.
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